Research at Linton Tweeds

A visit to Linton Tweeds today was both informative and fascinating.  We experienced the musical mechanical rhythmic noises of the looms and watched in wonder as the shuttle shot back and forth at unbelievable speeds.   Some of these beautifully woven fabrics are destined for the high end Paris fashion houses.  The whole process begins in the design room where up to 70 new fabrics a year are produced.  They begin with a theme such as Carnival or Country Pursuits.  Samples are then either taken to shows for prospective customers to see or sent directly to customers.  Orders are taken and work in the factory begins.  Up until recently each pattern would be 'programmed' into the loom using tiny little wooden pegs which a loom operator would hammer in by hand... this was a lengthy process.  In the last few years this process has gone digital and saves not just hours, but days of the factories time. 

New Design Boards

The final product

An old loom no longer used.

The Old Peg System. A time consuming business.

Going Digital

In the Yarn storage area

The Old Shuttle