Broadcloth is a very closely woven plain weave fabric with a crosswise rib.
It is made of cotton, cotton/polyester blends, silk or wool. It is soft and
lustrous with a firm finish. It is similar to poplin, but finer. It wears
better, drapes well and is dressy. The fabric is cool, comfortable,
functional and affordable.The characteristics of wool broadcloth are slightly different from other broadcloth. It is usually twill with a two up and one down construction. The fabric is fulled after weaving. Fulling is a process where the cloth is cleansed, shrunk and thickened with moisture, heat and pressure. It has a napped face and is closely sheared and polished.
Broadcloth originally indicates a cloth woven on a wide loom. The thread count of the fabric ranges from a high quality 144 ´ 6 count down to 80 ´ 60. The filling yarn in the fabric is heavier with lesser twist than the warp yarn. It can be bleached, dyed, or printed. It is also very often mercerized.
Characteristics of Broadcloth Fabric
- It is soft.
- It is lustrous.
- It is very fine.
- It is comfortable.
- It has a smooth finish.
- It is dressy.
- It wears and drapes well.
Broadcloth is used as shirts, dresses, blouses and summer wear of all kinds.
