The Hettie Collections with new British made fabrics
We are delighted to introduce some new fabrics into our products and collections.
The team at Hettie have designed and created the Hettie Collection together and everything is handmade and incorporates the finest quality materials .
Building on our Made in Britain label , we have discovered some fabulous new British made textile companies and introduced their lovely fabrics into our much loved designs.
We have launched our new range using these new fabrics , and incorporating them into our trio of collections inspired by nature and our surroundings. Pretty updates to our handbags , junior accessories and pet collection.
You can discover more here
Our Spa Collection with it's calming blues has a new look with a navy cotton canvas , blue polka dot and nautical chambray stripe in shades of blue , cream and taupe.
For the Hettie woodland Collection we have built on it's pink colour palette with muted crocus and lavender hues, and a maroon canvas.
And the Riverside Collection with a palette of soothing greens has some lovely new shades . A neutral fern fabric , and green canvas and polka dot lift all of our classic products
You can read all about the wonderful history of our two newest suppliers here. Both proudly Made in Britain and building on a rich heritage steeped in tradition .
BRITISH MILLERAIN
Towards the end of the 1880's, British Millerain began to develop fabrics which would suit a wide variety of clothing requirements, from the rigours of life in the armed forces to the demands of country pursuits. Since the advent of the first patented Millerain® rainproof finish in 1894, we have expanded our waterproof offerings into apparel and commercial markets.
Through more than a century of refinement, development and testing, we have earned a reputation as the leading manufacturer of Waxed Cottons and practical, aesthetic fabrics for outdoor applications.
Our family principles have never changed; we strive to bring new products to the market based on both our old and new technologies.
Long since the advent of the first waxed cotton, demand for this classic outerwear fabric has continued to grow. The unique aesthetic appeal and weatherproof properties of waxed cotton have assured its place as a regular feature in the outerwear collection of the industry’s leading brands.
Waxed cotton
The story of waxed cotton begins on the high seas …… Sailors in the 15th Century were at the mercy of the rain, wind and waves and often their craft offered little protection from the elements. Survival was dependant on good clothing. If a man was soaked on deck, the icy waters could render his limbs heavy and slow his return journey to the shore. British Sailors treated their flax canvas sailcloth with linseed oil, which prevented the sailcloth from becoming soaked, keeping it light and efficient in the strong winds. Left over pieces of oiled sailcloth were often crafted into crude smocks and worn by the men on deck to protect them from the harsh biting winds and sprays.
With demand for lighter, more efficient sails, over time the construction of the cotton sail cloth evolved from the heavy duty flax, to have finer yarns and a stronger two-fold construction, at the same time making more amenable for use in outerwear.
In the 1700s, a weaving mill called Francis Webster Ltd began weaving cotton and perfected the art of treating it with linseed oil. Webster’s cotton was quickly adopted by the Royal Navy and early tea clippers. However, Linseed oil was far from ideal, turning yellow over time and cracking in cold conditions, losing its weather-resistant properties. British Millerain, already at this stage an established cotton finishing company, set at work to overcome this problem and pioneered the development of paraffin-based waxed cotton, which offered improved weather-resistance and breathability, without the deteriorating properties of linseed oil. This early work formed the basis of waxed cotton as we know it today!
Realising the superiority of this new wax treatment, Francis Webster and other weaving mills began sending their woven and dyed cotton to British Millerain for finishing, providing the world’s first supply of paraffin-based waxed cotton for apparel. At the time, the majority of wax cotton was exported to New Zealand, and marketed under the name Japara by Francis Websters. Japara was an instant success and after years of proven popularity and success, Webster’s introduced waxed cotton into the UK market. Several well known country attire and motorcycle brands were quick to adopt waxed cotton and were successful in establishing iconic brands.
With no other company capable of finishing cotton in this manner, all the machinery and processes had to be customised in-house by British Millerain over the decades that followed. As such, several patents were filed globally to protect the equipment and techniques used, and ensure the skills remained within the family business.
In 1987, British Millerain acquired Francis Webster and expanded the supply of waxed cotton into European and USA markets, and increased the range of shades available. With demand for ‘Millerained’ waxed cotton remaining strong today, we continue to innovate and lead the market in novel wax finishes. Coupling more than a century of expertise with the latest advances in chemistry and technologies has allowed us to remain the market leader and provide our varied customer base with new and exciting next generation wax cottons!
Read more about British Millerain here
TEMPLE MOYLE MILL
Our history of craftsmanship goes back as far as 1791. It is the fabric of our business. We combine then knowledge and experience gained from studying traditional methods of cotton waxing , with new innovations and technological advances in the industry. We constantly test and refine our product, ensuring it matches the highest standards of quality , durability and protection from the elements that are essential for a waxed cotton material.
From our trade's humble beginnings of a small dye works in 1130 , and the purchase of the factory by William Johnston in 1791 , the mill holds a proud heritage of quality. From then until now , our passion for excellence has always been cut from the same cloth. As a result, over 220 years , the production of quality products has been a long withstanding tradition that continues to be enjoyed.
Kells is steeped in a rich history of textile manufacturing . The linen trade was reputedly established by local Abbotts in the early 12th century. The Augustinian over to which they belonged , were masters in fine cloth finishing leading the market in medieval Europe. The abbey was destroyed by Edward Bruce in 1316 , and was rebuilt in the 15th century, Commissioners of King Henry VIII brought about the dissolution of the abbey in 1542.
Ruins may be all that remains of the abbey , but it's legacy of craftsmanship lives on from 1807. The mill was prosperously innovated and modernised by the Dinsmore family over two centuries. Today , our site remains where the trade was established centuries ago. The lasting pieces of the abbey are woven into our history ; they remind us of the very foundation our craft is built upon.
You can read more about Temple Moyle Mill here