Horsehair Fabric

As one of the most versatile, widely used fabrics, the history of horsehair fabric is always worthy of note. Though it is widely believed that 8th Century Spaniards were the first to use horsehair as a textile, the first documented appearance of the fabric places its origins in 9th Century Switzerland. The blueprint containing plans to develop St. Gall Abbey, a monastic compound, was said to have been woven with horsehair. By the 19th Century, horsehair fabric was commonplace when it came to upholstery stuffing and covering for furniture. During the 18th Century, horsehair was largely used in wigs. Until the 20th Century, paintbrushes were some of the most common horsehair-made items. Today, horsehair fabric is used in the construction of hats, costumes, bridal gowns, and formal dresses.