Re: Fustian and Linen for bowstrings (long)

[dave_key-at-uk.ibm.com]

Jorg,

When you say twill, what weave pattern are you thinking of ? 2x2 3x3 etc??,
how many threads to the cm ?

I know there were different grades available but have you any more details,
esp on weights, costs and colours.
The German sources I've seen refer to them but a symbol (probably the seal)
and by colour ... to mean the grade rather than the actual colour in all
probability .... a bit like leather where red leather can mean raw, whilst
black means prepared ...

The Italian refs. (Milan from memory) have several grades and some look
like pure cotton (aargh!).

On the colours it was interesting to note that Black was cheaper than white
... a concept alien to so many re-enactors who forget that a cheap oak gall
dye can cost less than bleaching! It's also interesting as Black fustian
frequently appears in accounts in England for the outer on Jacks (in almsot
complete contrast to the Flemish illustrations which show them as
white/off-white).

The pieces I've seen I haven't been able to really analyse the fibres
closely enough to say what the weave was , but tabby stuck in my mind ...
doesn't mean Im not wrong, also these may not have been fustian. In England
the term is still in dispute somewhat although the line/cotton fibre makes
sense and  is certainly (or so I'm told) true for c16th fustian.


Shoemakers thread ... my concern is really that shoemakers thread may have
been treated to hepl prevent rotting .... the source I had in Northern
Ireland you can have it raw, bleached dyed with indigo etc. I suspect that
although it would be costly initially, metre for metre it would also
probably be cheaper .... I'll look into it.

Cheers
Dave



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