Inappropriate for anytime in the 1800's; polyester/rayons, blends, something man made. Burn tests seems to mostly say rayon/rayon poly blend, but not conclusively. Did they have any of this stuff in outerwear, or hats by 1940's? 50's? Plus my old wedding dress fabric that burned almost cotton-like, but it's a damask.
1. 10.75 yds (1.5 yd + 9.25 yds bulk) off-white/aged damask 45"
It was bright white, which I liked least about it. Not so blindingly white anymore. :) I do prefer the back side, with only the floral being shiny, pictured last. Not sure if you can tell, but it's very soft, and not too thick. You'd think I would remember the fiber because I bought this myself. Maybe the label was missing? Burned like cotton.
2. 2.75 yds Red brick cotton velvet/velveteen
May I just say people who take photos of velvet, which look like velvet, now have my respect. Also, this picture is in no WAY the true color of this deeply pigmented, lovely fabric. Could this stuff pass as the cotton 'imitation velvet' trim for 1840-65? What I read seems to indicate cotton velveteen was being made by then, but I am not certain.
3. 4 yds Polyester ivory satin, with large floral print.
Moves like silk charmeuse. No idea what can be done with this.
4. 1ish yd (.75 yds + a darted, below the knee skirt) Floral, shiny, soft rayon? pink, green, purple, and blue floral. With white raised threaded floral.
The Mystery...
4 yds *Something* Feels like smooth cotton, but has both a sheen, and a stretch.
(Burn test was confusing, cottonish burn, but not quite.) White threads one way, navy threads the other way. No idea what I can use this for, but I can wear it, at least somewhat. Or so sayeth my knees. I love the resulting color.
I do a very unscientific fiber test for wearability. Wrap a few layers across and around both knees, and wait. Polyester content feels like I have crystalline shards in my knees. (I have no idea why, but it works...) Can also make them feel very hot immediately, if the polyester content is around 40%+. This just made them feel warm. Very confusing. I would have guessed some sort of polished cotton, but the stretch says nope...
(Burn test was confusing, cottonish burn, but not quite.) White threads one way, navy threads the other way. No idea what I can use this for, but I can wear it, at least somewhat. Or so sayeth my knees. I love the resulting color.
I do a very unscientific fiber test for wearability. Wrap a few layers across and around both knees, and wait. Polyester content feels like I have crystalline shards in my knees. (I have no idea why, but it works...) Can also make them feel very hot immediately, if the polyester content is around 40%+. This just made them feel warm. Very confusing. I would have guessed some sort of polished cotton, but the stretch says nope...