Weaving is a part of Britain’s past that I am really proud of”
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with tweed and wool fabrics. Despite being unable to wear ‘itchy’ wool jumpers during my youth due to having sensitive skin, I’ve always admired the textures and colours of wool. Especially when it’s woven into traditional British tweed fabric which, as I’ve said numerous times before, is ideal for the vintage look of Charlie’s Aunt bags and hats.
New wool-rich fabrics for autumn
Like everything else, the price of fabric has increased in recent years, with tweed definitely being at the top end as a ‘luxury’ cloth. But I still think it’s worth the premium and will always showcase it on my pattern covers. That’s largely because although there are very few mills compared to the British cloth heyday, tweed weaving is a traditional skill that has survived the ravages of time in parts of the UK. In Wales, for example, the wonderful Melin Tregwynt and Trefriw woolen mills are still producing both innovative and traditional Welsh wool tapestry fabrics and double cloths, while Abraham Moon in Yorkshire has been making beautiful country tweeds since 1837.
Weaving is a part of Britain’s past that I am really proud of. In fact, although I live in East Anglia – known as the ‘bread basket of England’ due to the fact the region now produces most of the country’s food crops – it was once world-renowned for its wool/cloth trade. This prospered in the 15th/16th centuries and funded the building of some of Suffolk’s most notable grand churches.
Many of my customers love the look of wool but have found the cost a little prohibitive, especially when you add in the price of overseas postage. So, this season I have sourced some ‘wool-rich’ fabrics with a healthy dollop of wool in them and with the same look and feel of 100% wool. You get the hardwearing quality and beautiful weaves but at a much more ‘purse-friendly’ price.
The fabrics in our latest bag pattern, plus new beret preview
To demonstrate how effective the fabrics are when made up, I’ve been busy sewing Charlie’s Aunt designs, old and new, with the latest intake of cloth. More to come in a few weeks, which will also show some of my lovely matching velvet bias bindings paired with the tweeds.
I’ve already posted the picture of the new Dunwich bag made in the lovely blue/heather/green mix plaid but have also made my latest beret design (pattern due out before Christmas) in the same fabrics to further demonstrate its appeal. I’m really pleased with it. I just love the heather tones mixed with the blue and the striking shot of Kelly green. I’ll make a couple more in other wool-mix fabrics over the coming weeks.
Trims and extras
I have the wool-rich tweeds in stock in eight weaves/colours and the bias binding in three cotton/polyester colours, plus four in velvet, ideal for edging our Lynford Hat brim. I’m working on a bag pattern which uses bias binding also. One for next spring.
I’m also restocking some of the lovely basic wooden buttons, mostly vintage deadstock from the 1990s. These make an ideal paring with the rustic tweeds and luxurious bias bindings.
To purchase the latest fabrics and patterns, check into the Charlie’s Aunt shop for new and restocked listings. Any questions, please email emma@charliesaunt.com
Happy autumn sewing xx
