What is Harris Tweed

Harris Tweed is a brand of fabric created in the 18th century ago among the Islanders of Harris. This cloth was known for its fabric quality to protect the people against cold, as the northern part of Scotland was known for its harsh climate. Tweed was known as tweel in Scottish because the cloth was woven in a twill pattern before turning to Tweed. Some believe the word Tweed is a misread word.

The countess of Dunmore, Lady Catherine, promoted the Tweed and made it known to the outside world. It all started with the Paisley sisters; she recognised two sisters’ talents in 1843; they were gifted in weaving fabric. She employed them to weave for his household. Harris Tweed was created through her. 

Back then, when there was no currency, and often things were purchased by exchanging with other things, known as trade by barter because of its quality, the cloth was used as a means of exchange. Mechanised weaving methods were developed in the industrial revolution era and moved from manual to mechanical.

Harris Tweed has its own act of parliament of 1993, which made it the first—manufactured fabric tweed that has an act of parliament. An act was made in the Wool Act parliament to regulate the manufacture and the trade of cloth by means of Statutes that are constantly renewed to give a tremendous commercial boost to the textile activity of the city.

Harris Tweed is woven in a weaver’s shed on the isle of Harris. The weaving industry develops gradually in the city along the isle of Harris. It specialises in techniques to improve production and is dedicated to softening and beautifying the cloth. The fabrics reach many European countries through the network of their commercial establishments. Due to the initiated commercial development and recognised expertise in manufacturing textiles, Harris Tweed enjoys a flourishing and quiet period. These fabrics are woven from yarns. 

Coming from the Isle of Harris in Scotland, this material was carefully selected and mechanically transformed into the so-called “tweed” that made it possible to produce carded fabrics mixed with virgin wool at competitive prices. Since the sixties, machinery and technologies have been resolutely renewed; regenerated raw materials are directed towards higher quality materials that come from recycling new pieces of clothing.

 Harris Tweed is so unique and what makes Harris Tweed so special is that any cloth that is officially Harris Tweed is woven in a weaver’s shed on the island and carries the iconic orb logo of authenticity. Every product with the logo is handmade, such as a suit, hat, scarf, bag, etc.

In the 21st century, the positive effects and quality of the cloth began to be felt all over the world, the decisive fact of which was affirmed when, in the middle of the century, the process of regeneration of the scraps of tailoring fabrics, fabrics and clothes began to be used.