How Is Harris Tweed Made?
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About Harris Tweed
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Harris tweed is a woolen fabric, often with bright plaid designs, that is created by weavers living in the Outer Hebrides islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra, off the Scottish coast. According to the Harris Tweed Authority, only materials made on these islands can be called Harris Tweed. Harris Tweed has been made in the Outer Hebrides for generations, and in 1933 an Act of Parliament decreed that no makers other than those on the islands could claim to make Harris Tweed or use the name. Today, Harris Tweed remains "hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides."
Yarn Making
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Wool is washed and bleached (if white wool is needed) or dyed in a finishing factory. Water and excess dye are removed and the wool is dried. An oil is added to the wool to replace the grease lost in washing and dyeing, and the wool is carded and spun into yarn.
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Weaving
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After being threaded into warp and weft, the wool is sent out to home weavers on the islands, who have their own looms for making the cloth. Weavers use manually operated looms powered by foot pedals to create fabrics requested by designers and sellers.
Finishing
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When the fabric is woven, the weavers send it back to the finishing factories where it is washed again, lightly felted, and long strands of hair are clipped off. The cloth is inspected by the Harris Tweed Authority for flaws. When the cloth is approved, it is stamped with the seal of the Harris Tweed Authority and can be sold as Harris Tweed. The finished cloth is also marked with the location of manufacture and the name of the weaver who made it.
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References
- Photo Credit http://www.harristweed.com/index.asp
