100% Cotton, 59″ Wide Black velvet was specifically popular for working men’s breeches as it’s mentioned multiple times in American runaway newspaper ads. But black velvet is also used for British regular’s dress stocks as may be seen in, “Each Man to be Provided immediately with 1 good Black Velvet Stock…” is taken from the Orderly book, 17th Regiment of Foot, Clayton’s company, Aug 1778-2 Jan 1779. Although Cuthbertson specifies horsehair stocks for the standard, but “Manchester Velvet trimmed in scarlet” is the stock for dress. Velvet was also used for working class men’s waistcoats & jackets but was also used for women’s cloaks & also in trims & accessories. For example in The Providence Gazette of 1777 it was advertised “Deserted from Capt. Tew’s Company, in Col. Angell’s regiment, John Stone . . . says he was born in Philadelphia: He has on . . . a Pair of black Velvet Breeches.” Black 35/2 linen thread will work well for hand sewing & for buttonholes try black silk buttonhole twist or quilter’s thread.
