Hope this is the right place for this question. I posted it on Ravelry weaving group, but no response so far. I reading fiction about the wild west, I had read several times about someone getting the latest broadcloth skirt or dress. When I realized that broadcloth is typically made of polyester and cotton, I was puzzled. Then when researching I came across something that said it was made from wool. Sooo, what makes broadcloth broadcloth? Weave structure? Weight? Anyone know? Thanks.

Comments

Thu, 10/13/2011 - 21:10

Sara von Tresckow

Broadcloth is simply wide fabric. It was once so named because it needed a two man loom to produce it. It can be wool or any other fiber - usuallyplain weave.

Thu, 10/13/2011 - 22:06

endorph

comes from the Middle English brode clothe which basically means cloth woven in strips in double width. It can also refer to the process of the weaving and treating of the cloth which creates a densely woven fabric that is very sturdy and with a soft hand. In medieval England the cloth was traditionally made from wool. The cloth was/is tightly woven then dipped in water while being stritched onto special racks for drying, then rubbed with fullers earth and beaten with a wooden hammer, resulting in an almost felted cloth. Cotton broadcloth was/is also manufactured. Sometimes the boradcloth has a very narrow subtle rib similair to poplin. Becasue for the process and quality of the cloth produces broadcloth tends to be a little more costly than other fabrics. Its often used for men's suiting and the larger width makes it good for large projects since you can limit the number of seams. Its used today by historical reenactors for uniforms, etc.  Probably more info than you wanted.