Over the past few months I’ve taken part in a Hand Embroidery course. One of it’s aims is to encourage stitchers to expand their textile horizons for inspiration. I love any excuse for a day out especially when it revolves around textiles. So I formulated a plan for an indulgent day along the Silk Route.
Essex and Suffolk have a long standing history in the Silk industry. Consequently my route took in two Silk Mill Shops in Sudbury in addition to the silk textile archive in Braintree.
Warner Textile Archive
First in the itinerary was a visit to the Warner Textile Archive in Braintree, Essex.
It was a real eye opener, containing beautiful colourful samples dating back hundreds of years.
The collection is comprised of a number of historical pieces from Warner’s Mill and other former local Silk Mills.
Some samples have original drawings and painted art work alongside their finished hand woven silk cloth. Stunning and well worth a visit.
Silk Route Shopping
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| Tie fabric |
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| Silk, cotton, silk blends plus lots more in these bags of joy |
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| Ready made items available too |
Ties and cufflnks
Vanners in Sudbury was the final shopping desination. It’s factory has appeared on the Great British Sewing Bee .
The mill shop was full of fabric by the metre, yarn, pre-made items (silk bow ties, silk ties, silk handkerchiefs and even cufflinks). It also sold scrap fabric rummage bags and lots more.
It’s worth noting that just behind Vanners is The Gainsborough House and Museum (which I ran out of time to visit!)