Medieval Norwich had more people employed in the textile trade than any other industry. The people were specialists in the worsted wool cloth production, that was revered across known world. These crafts men and women included: wool combers, warpers, dyers, weavers and hot pressers, each craft having its own apprentices and training.
Clients would come to the merchant houses and peruse though weave catalogues. Once a selected pattern had been chosen then the order would be placed. The weavers would be provided with the materials for the order and would generally work on their own looms from their homes . The worsted weavers were the aristocrats of the weaving community and rewards would be great. Their knowledge of patterns and technical ability made them sort after. On completion the weave went to the hot pressers for finishing then back to the weavers house for checking and packing into bales to be dispatched. Two of the most elaborate fabrics woven in Norwich was the Brocaded Callimanco and the Worsted Tappisado these patterns had distinctive floral patterns.
From 1740 leading Norwich merchants increasingly sold their cloths abroad using well- established north sea routes. In Scandinavia fabrics woven in Norwich were prized for women's folk dresses and such fabrics were treasured. Very few complete garments have survived made of worsted cloth but there is a skirt on display in the museum.
Around 1780 shawls became popular and were being imported from India. Norwich companies decided to embrace this new trend and set up shawl production. These shawls represent the final flowering of textile production in the city and by 1870 fashion changed and bustles became popular and the shawl production in Norwich finally collapses.
Fabric is still being produced up until the 1920's producing silks, mourning cloths and horse hair fabrics. The Mills in Northern England finally killed the production of fabric in Norwich with the industrial revolution.
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