Back to Basics series – Day 3
…dyes can no longer be used. However, Harris Tweed® is a truly ecologically sound textile, with a low-impact VOC (volatile organic compound) absorbent production process, and is non-allergenic and biodegradable….
…dyes can no longer be used. However, Harris Tweed® is a truly ecologically sound textile, with a low-impact VOC (volatile organic compound) absorbent production process, and is non-allergenic and biodegradable….
…colours might be selected in precise proportions, to create the exact yarn colour required. These are carefully weighed out, just like measuring ingredients for a recipe. Once the proportions of…
Throwback Thursday! ‘Alex on the wool dryer. 1991.’ Photo by DI MacArthur…
Carding The blended wool mixture needs to be carded to the correct “weight”. The wool mixture passes through a series of finely spiked rollers, which thoroughly blend the colours together,…
…yarn. Each strand on the spool is fed through its own twister on the spinning frame, where it is twisted in a “z” shape before being wound onto a bobban….
Warping The warp is the long, lengthwise threads in weaving, through which the crosswise ‘weft’ threads are interwoven to create the pattern. First, the Warper must fill a “bank” with…
…might require the rearrangement of the loom’s heddles (the wire “eyes” each warp thread passes through). The weaver then begins hand-tying every thread of the new warp onto the tail-ends…
…skilled darners. Next, the cloth must be washed to remove impurities and milled to tighten the weave and soften the “handle”. The cloth is then ready to be dried and…
…Tweed Act (1993). Once the inspector is satisfied with their examination, the final mark of authenticity can be applied. A beeswax transfer of the Orb certification mark is ironed onto…
Strong colours that mix together effortlessly – that sums up both our wool and our beautiful landscapes. Photos by Janet Miles Photography…