Fabric produced on 19th century Lancashire looms is now a key part of a new clothing range by Patrick Grant. Quarry Bank in Cheshire has turned this material into a women’s shirt, shirt dress, and tote bag. This iconic mill last produced cloth in 1959.
However, the National Trust now offers visitors a chance to buy this fabric as glass cloths, tea towels, and drawstring bags. National Trust staff even wore Grant’s designs for a special photoshoot at the mill, bringing history to life.
Historic Fabric Production
Fabric produced on 19th century Lancashire looms in one of the world’s oldest cotton mills, Quarry Bank in Cheshire, is now being used to make new clothing by celebrity tailor Patrick Grant. Known for his sustainable clothing brand, Community Clothing, and as a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, Grant is bringing traditionally crafted textiles back into modern fashion.
Quarry Bank Mill Revival
The fabric, originally made to show visitors the operational conditions of the heritage machinery, is now crafted into a women’s shirt, shirt dress, and a tote bag. This marks a revival of Quarry Bank Mill, which last produced cloth for the textile industry in 1959. This fabric is also available in the National Trust’s Mill Yard Shop as kitchen glass cloths, tea towels, and drawstring bags.
National Trust Involvement
National Trust staff volunteered to model Patrick Grant’s clothing during a photoshoot at the mill. Technical Demonstrators Julie Whitehouse, Caitlin Binks, Cheryl Pickerill, and Rhyann Arthur participated, led by Clare Brown, the Technical Demonstrator Manager.
Clare Brown’s Insights
Clare Brown stated, “We are the only National Trust mill making fabric and it is great that it is being turned into clothing that’s made to last.” National Trust staff are actively involved in showcasing the potential of these traditionally made fabrics.
Patrick Grant’s Vision
Patrick Grant, who is based in Lancashire, expressed his excitement about using excellent quality natural materials produced on Quarry Bank’s heritage machines. He said, “My mission is to make exceptional quality everyday clothes, out of the best natural materials. Using fabric produced on Quarry Bank’s heritage machines, and from scratch, is a perfect fit for us.”
Sustainability and Craftsmanship
Grant’s mission aligns with the themes of his book, ‘Less,’ which encourages support for incredible craftspeople and emphasises valuing well-made and carefully crafted items. This partnership highlights the importance of sustainability and skilled craftsmanship in the fashion industry.
Supporting UK Textile Jobs
Community Clothing’s products are made in factories across the UK, in 48 towns and cities, including 14 in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. This initiative aims to create and sustain skilled jobs in the UK’s textile manufacturing regions.
Broader Implications
The collaboration between Community Clothing and Quarry Bank Mill not only breathes new life into a historical site but also showcases the economic and cultural benefits of preserving traditional fabric production methods. This initiative could inspire similar projects that leverage heritage techniques to create modern, sustainable products.
The collaboration between Community Clothing and Quarry Bank Mill highlights the enduring relevance of traditional fabric production methods. This initiative exemplifies how heritage and modern sustainability can merge to create stylish, long-lasting clothing.
Patrick Grant’s mission aligns seamlessly with the project’s values, emphasising the significance of sustainability and craftsmanship. By reviving a historic mill, this partnership not only supports UK textile jobs but also brings a cherished piece of history back into the public eye.