Worsted that is durable, plain weave, fine and soft makes a wonderful summer gown with a splendid wrinkle free drape. A very good weight for women’s gowns, jackets, and petticoats, and men’s jackets, waistcoats, coats and breeches. In the early 19th century this worsted could be used for a gowns, spencers and pelisse. In The Pennsylvania Packet of 1773, “Ran away . . . a mulatto wench . . . had on and took with her, and India callico gown, and one ditto of brown worsted”. As cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls. Unbleached 60/2 linen thread would work well for hand sewing this fabric as would buff silk quilter’s thread for buttonholes.
