The mill

Our looms are narrow-fabric machines built between 1928 and 1962, rescued from closing mills in Coventry, Macclesfield and Saint-Étienne and rebuilt here over many winters.

Looms

Six shuttle looms weave up to twelve ribbons side by side. Two of them carry Jacquard heads, which lift each warp thread separately using punched cards, so a single loom can weave a picture or lettering along the ribbon.

Warping and dyeing

Silk is bought undyed and dyed in small batches. Warps are wound by hand on our warping mill, which is the slowest part of every order and the part we are proudest of.

Finishing

Ribbons are pressed, measured and rolled by hand. Bookmarks are cut, mitred and tasselled at the bench by the window.