Gainsborough's House Mulberry Patrons visit Sudbury silkmakers.

Important clients for Sudbury silk!

Many people outside East Anglia do not realise that Sudbury is the largest silkmaking town in Britain.  The industry started in the 18th century, and there are still three working silk companies in the town.  these produce specialist high quality product for designers and their clients worldwide.  Of course competition from China is strong, and the high level of the pound is currently making life more difficult for Sudbury companies, but the bespoke service and the products' niche at the top end of the market means that they continue to thrive.

On Friday afternoon the Mulberry Patrons of Gainsborough's House enjoyed a special visit to two of the companies.  First we went to Gainsborough Silks, who specialise in furniture textiles.  We were fascinated to see how silk continues to be made by the old methods, using cardboard 'jacquard cards' to create the patterns.  Some wonderful fabrics were on display, as were some fairly antique machines in addition to more modern, computer aided equipment.

A Patron admires the finished product at Gainsborough Silk

Then we went on to Vanners, next door neighbours to Gainsborough's House, in Weavers Lane.  As can be seen from the pictures below they specialise in  silks for clothing and in particular for ties.  They use computer aided design and production methods more extensively than Gainsborough Silk and the contrast between the two companies was very interesting.  It seems that there is still room for the successful use of  both old and new methods in this high end niche industry.

Silk for ties at Vanners

Silks fresh from the dying process

After the visit to the factories the Patrons enjoyed a cup of tea in the Gainsborough's House Library (with scones and mulberry jam) and then had the opportunity to view the exciting new autumn exhibition The Painting Room. This was written up in last weekend's Daily Telegraph Review  as exhibition of the week.  I will be writing about the show, which runs until January, in the weeks to come.

Gainsborough's House Mulberry Patrons are a valuable source of support to the museum.  They enjoy a special relationship with the House's activities plus a programme of exclusive visits to hidden attractions country wide.  Of course they can also freely participate in other programmes for supporters and Friends.  If you are interested in joining this growing group please contact Gainsborough's House on 01787 372958