MELIN TEIFI: LAST OF THE WELSH FLANNEL WEAVERS
Tucked into a fold in the hills in West Wales is the village of Dre-Fach Felindre. Now a quiet spot, this was once one of the major centres of the Welsh woollen weaving industry, a heritage that is recognised by the village now being home to the National Wool Museum. This is one of Wales most fascinating museums, housed in one of the many old woollen mills that crowd the area.
Most of the old mills are now ruins, taken over by other industries or are just empty shells.
As well as housing the National Wool Museum, the old Cambrian Mills has on its grounds Melin Teifi, the last mill to be producing Welsh flannel.
Mr Raymond Jones and his wife, Diane, the owners of Melin Teifi (that is Tivy Mill to you English speakers) worked for Cambrian Mills Felindre Ltd for 18 years up to its closure in 1982. Reluctant to look for work in another industry, Mr and Mrs Jones established Melin Teifi and took up accommodation in part of the Cambrian Mill in 1984. Although a separate commercial venture, the Mill is an integral part of the Museums interpretive exhibition: While the main part of the National Wool Museum concentrates on the history of the Welsh woollens industry, Melin Teifi shows you how a small mill can still operate today.
Initially Melin Teifi employed only 3 people, while today it provides employment for eight a tiny number compared to the hundreds once employed in the industry in this valley alone and concentrates on the production of flannel tweeds, blankets, quilts, shawls, traditional Welsh costume, flannel shirts, smocks etc.
Most of what Melin Teifi makes (and they are equipped to make almost any type of woven woollen cloth) is commissioned one-offs working with some big names in fabric design, and supplying fabric for designer label manufacturers. You could be surprised by some of the names that use Melin Teifi to weave their wool fabrics and even make their finished designer garments etc.
After a visit by HRH Prince Charles, Melin Teifi produces items for Highgrove Enterprises!
All the fabric used in making Melin Teifis products is woven on site and uses woollen yarns sourced in various parts of the country. There are not many spinners of 100% wool yarn left in Britain, and although some yarn is spun in Wales from the wool off the backs of Welsh sheep, wool yarn is also sourced from the rest of Britain, notably from Ilkley in Yorkshire.
After the crash of the Welsh woollen industry which once produced fabrics and clothing to clothe much of Britain and even much of the world, Melin Teifi is the last manufacturer of traditional Welsh flannel.
In Melin Teifis small and somewhat chaotic shop you can buy some of their superb quality fabrics by the yard, off the roll, or garments from their exclusive range of flannel and tweed countrywear range as well as blankets, scarves and other items.
I first found Melin Teifi as part of the visit to the Welsh National Wool Museum and was impressed with their flannel shirts. Unfortunately (or fortunately) they were out of stock of a shirt in my size in the colour I liked, but this gave me the opportunity to order a shirt to be made to a pattern that I had designed and cut myself, to fit my requirements perfectly.
The shirt was made up by Mrs Diane Jones herself and I was so impressed by the quality of the fabric, make-up and finish of the final shirt (not to mention the very reasonable price) that I immediately ordered a second shirt to be made up!
Most folk on this website know that I champion natural fibre clothing as I do believe that it cannot be beaten for wear in a Bushy environment. Welsh flannel is a prime example of why I love natural fibre clothing as it is tough, hardwearing, comfortable to wear, eco-friendly, slow to get aromatic with hard wear over long periods, easy to wash (hand wash cool easy in the field!), good looking etc.
And now there is only one place to get genuine Welsh woollen flannel, either off the roll or made up into classic shirts.
For more information visit www.melinteifi.com
Tel 01559 371003,
Or better still, visit the mill itself: Melin Teifi, Dre-Fach Felindre, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, SA44 5UP.
While you are in the area you can visit the Welsh National Wool Museum (and café), enjoy some great walks, or just enjoy the scenery.
Some of the most important folk on the Bushcraft scene live not too far away from the village they must know something about why the area is great for lovers of the outdoors!
Outside and inside
Weaving sewing and displaying the wares
I had them make me up a shirt to my design - one I had made in blanket wool
And reproduce my design in their wool
It was so good that I had them make up a second - identical - one and now I long for the cooler weather!
The woollen shirt cost me around the price of an "off the peg", imported, branded cotton outdoor style shirt...
No affiliation - just a happy customer
Tucked into a fold in the hills in West Wales is the village of Dre-Fach Felindre. Now a quiet spot, this was once one of the major centres of the Welsh woollen weaving industry, a heritage that is recognised by the village now being home to the National Wool Museum. This is one of Wales most fascinating museums, housed in one of the many old woollen mills that crowd the area.
Most of the old mills are now ruins, taken over by other industries or are just empty shells.
As well as housing the National Wool Museum, the old Cambrian Mills has on its grounds Melin Teifi, the last mill to be producing Welsh flannel.
Mr Raymond Jones and his wife, Diane, the owners of Melin Teifi (that is Tivy Mill to you English speakers) worked for Cambrian Mills Felindre Ltd for 18 years up to its closure in 1982. Reluctant to look for work in another industry, Mr and Mrs Jones established Melin Teifi and took up accommodation in part of the Cambrian Mill in 1984. Although a separate commercial venture, the Mill is an integral part of the Museums interpretive exhibition: While the main part of the National Wool Museum concentrates on the history of the Welsh woollens industry, Melin Teifi shows you how a small mill can still operate today.
Initially Melin Teifi employed only 3 people, while today it provides employment for eight a tiny number compared to the hundreds once employed in the industry in this valley alone and concentrates on the production of flannel tweeds, blankets, quilts, shawls, traditional Welsh costume, flannel shirts, smocks etc.
Most of what Melin Teifi makes (and they are equipped to make almost any type of woven woollen cloth) is commissioned one-offs working with some big names in fabric design, and supplying fabric for designer label manufacturers. You could be surprised by some of the names that use Melin Teifi to weave their wool fabrics and even make their finished designer garments etc.
After a visit by HRH Prince Charles, Melin Teifi produces items for Highgrove Enterprises!
All the fabric used in making Melin Teifis products is woven on site and uses woollen yarns sourced in various parts of the country. There are not many spinners of 100% wool yarn left in Britain, and although some yarn is spun in Wales from the wool off the backs of Welsh sheep, wool yarn is also sourced from the rest of Britain, notably from Ilkley in Yorkshire.
After the crash of the Welsh woollen industry which once produced fabrics and clothing to clothe much of Britain and even much of the world, Melin Teifi is the last manufacturer of traditional Welsh flannel.
In Melin Teifis small and somewhat chaotic shop you can buy some of their superb quality fabrics by the yard, off the roll, or garments from their exclusive range of flannel and tweed countrywear range as well as blankets, scarves and other items.
I first found Melin Teifi as part of the visit to the Welsh National Wool Museum and was impressed with their flannel shirts. Unfortunately (or fortunately) they were out of stock of a shirt in my size in the colour I liked, but this gave me the opportunity to order a shirt to be made to a pattern that I had designed and cut myself, to fit my requirements perfectly.
The shirt was made up by Mrs Diane Jones herself and I was so impressed by the quality of the fabric, make-up and finish of the final shirt (not to mention the very reasonable price) that I immediately ordered a second shirt to be made up!
Most folk on this website know that I champion natural fibre clothing as I do believe that it cannot be beaten for wear in a Bushy environment. Welsh flannel is a prime example of why I love natural fibre clothing as it is tough, hardwearing, comfortable to wear, eco-friendly, slow to get aromatic with hard wear over long periods, easy to wash (hand wash cool easy in the field!), good looking etc.
And now there is only one place to get genuine Welsh woollen flannel, either off the roll or made up into classic shirts.
For more information visit www.melinteifi.com
Tel 01559 371003,
Or better still, visit the mill itself: Melin Teifi, Dre-Fach Felindre, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, SA44 5UP.
While you are in the area you can visit the Welsh National Wool Museum (and café), enjoy some great walks, or just enjoy the scenery.
Some of the most important folk on the Bushcraft scene live not too far away from the village they must know something about why the area is great for lovers of the outdoors!
Outside and inside
Weaving sewing and displaying the wares
I had them make me up a shirt to my design - one I had made in blanket wool
And reproduce my design in their wool
It was so good that I had them make up a second - identical - one and now I long for the cooler weather!
The woollen shirt cost me around the price of an "off the peg", imported, branded cotton outdoor style shirt...
No affiliation - just a happy customer
