Prunella (cloth) explained

In clothing, prunella is a worsted fabric, sometimes also made with a blend of silk. Documented from the 17th to the 20th centuries,it was produced in Norwich.^[1] Prunella was used in a variety of garments such as petticoats, academic and barristers' gowns, judges' robes, coats, waistcoats, and shoes.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Etymology

Prunella was named from the French, meaning sloe, for its dark colour.^[2]

Weave

Prunella had a warp-faced weave structure.

Variations

Though the cloth was initially worsted material, manufacturers sometimes used a combination with silk, or with cotton in the weft.

Notes and References

1. Book: Montgomery, M.. Textiles in America 1650-1870 : a dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchants' papers, shopkeepers' advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth. 1984. New York ; London : Norton. Internet Archive. 978-0-393-01703-8. 328 . Prunella[.] One of the worsted fabrics made at Norwich..
2. Web site: Definition of PRUNELLA. 2021-05-22. www.merriam-webster.com . en.
3. Book: Montgomery, Florence M.. Textiles in America 1650-1870 : a dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchants' papers, shopkeepers' advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth. 1984. New York ; London : Norton. Internet Archive. 978-0-393-01703-8. 328, 329.
4. Web site: PRUNELLA Definition of PRUNELLA by Oxford Dictionary on Lexico.com also meaning of PRUNELLA. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522135926/https://www.lexico.com/definition/prunella. dead. May 22, 2021. 2021-05-22. Lexico Dictionaries English. en.