Factory Visit

Last week I travelled down to the Scottish Borders to visit some knitting factories and find a manufacturer to help me with all the knitting for next winter. Like much of Scotland, the Borders have some really spectacular views and at least on that day- weather to match.

So, factory visit. If anyone is ever looking into textile or fashion production it is a little difficult to find out the basic information you need to know. I spent a fair whack of my Christmas holidays reading the Nesta guides and Fashion Toolkits they've put together. There are lots of really great case studies and have checklists of what should be expected from both designer an manufacturer in order to develop a good relationship. I'm now also going to be working to seasons with the fashion accessories as now I'll have run with their sampling and production deadlines. A book I found really helpful was "How to Set Up & Run A Fashion Label" by Toby Meadows

I armed myself with as much knowledge as possible, brought samples and examples of the kinds of products I'd want to develop with my designs, fabric swatches and a few finished pieces too. I also prepared a printed checklist for each manufacturer I visited with all my questions and spaces to fill in the answers. Although this was an extremely nerdy thing to do it was also immensely helpful to be able to assess all the info I had collected retrospectively once I had calmed down from all the excitement.

The first manufacturers I visited, a great family business in the Borders, were so helpful, talked me through everything I needed to know, couldn't have been nicer and I'm happy to say, I think I've found the one! The factories were like Santa's knitting grotto, so much colour and wool and bright coloured knitwear and knitting.



The factories all had different set ups. And it was really interesting to see the difference between the smaller factories and the bigger factories. One of the bigger factories I visited had a technician who had been working on just the scouring (washing) of the garments for over 30 years! Apparently he could tell, by the degree the temperature at which a garment had to be washed, how much water in the drum, much soap etc just by feeling the garment. Amazing!



This year I will be developing the range to include more accessories, hats, mittens, gloves and new scarf styles. I'm also going to be experimenting with some new yarns and fibres, so hold on to your hats!

If those who are interested in the History behind Scotland's textile and clothing manufacturing history, they might also like to read a previous post about the book, "The Inventors of Tradition".

N.B. I've blocked out parts of the photos with other samples being made out of courtesy and respect to their clients. Behind those pixels are the most delightful scarves and sweaters I've ever seen!