Melin Tregwynt

Melin Tregwynt, a small white washed woollen mill, can be found in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast. There has been a mill on this site since the 17th century, when local farmers would bring their fleeces to be spun into yarn and woven into sturdy Welsh wool blankets. Weathering wars, recessions and the passing of time, the looms have continued to work their magic. Melin Tregwynt fabrics are simple in spirit, satisfying in quality and timeless in design. Owned by the same family since 1912 the Mill now employs over 30 people and makes things that are useful, beautiful to look at and just a little bit special.

Melin Tregwynt specialise in doublecloth and most of our fabrics have strong graphic designs with a retro, mid-century modern quality.Each doublecloth design requires a minimum of 16 shafts. Widths 150/200/230 are possible. Each shaft will require heddles (for yarn to pass through) of up to 2500 per warp depending on loom width, plus a reed to control the warp threads. These heddles will all have to be re-threaded for each new design. This is normally done off the loom. To put new threaded shafts back on to the loom (and take out previous set of shafts) is about a day’s work

The versatility of the Wool fibre has been appreciated by man since the stone ages and to this day keeps the modern consumer cool when they are active and protects the wearer from severe weather elements. Moisture on the skin is wicked away and no man-made fibre has the ability to regulate the body's temperature in all weather conditions like Wool does naturally. 1. WOOL IS 100% NATURAL: A natural protein fibre that is similar to human hair. Wool grows naturally on sheep. 2. WOOL IS A RENEWABLE RESOURCE: Consuming a simple blend of water, air, sunshine and grass, sheep produce a new fleece every year without depleting finite natural resources. 3. WOOL FORMS PART OF A NATURAL CARBON CYCLE: Sheep consume organic carbon by eating plants, and store this in their fleece. Fifty percent of a fleece's weight is pure organic carbon stored in a durable, wearable form. 4. WOOL IS A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE TO WASTEFUL CONSUMER PRACTICES: Research shows that the average life of a Wool garment is 2-10 years, compared to 2-3 years for garments made from other fibres. 5. WOOL WAS MADE FOR RECYCLING: Wool fibres are high quality and durable, capable of re-use and recycling, ultimately reducing land fill disposal. Wool is routinely upcycled into woollen-spun knitwear, insulation and geotextiles – all of which contribute to a circular economy. 6. WOOL IS BIODEGRADABLE: Wool decomposes in a matter of years, releasing valuable nitrogen-based nutrients back into the soil. 7. WOOL IS NATURALLY ODOUR RESISTANT: By absorbing moisture vapour, Wool garments leave less perspiration on the skin, reducing odour-causing bacteria. Easily refreshed by airing, Wool garments can be worn longer between washes due to Wool's natural ability to shed dirt and bacteria. 8. WOOL IS FIRE RESISTANT & FIRE RETARDANT: Naturally high in nitrogen and water content, Wool's unique cell structure requires high levels of oxygen in order to burn, and forms an insulating layer when heated that prevents the spread of flames. Wool does not melt, drip or to stick to the skin when subject to extreme heat and produces less smoke and toxic fumes during combustion. 9. WOOL IMPROVES INDOOR AIR QUALITY: When used in interior textiles such as carpets and upholstery, Wool absorbs and locks away pollutants such as volatile organic carbons (VOCs) from the air more rapidly than other fibres. 10. WOOL IS WELFARE ASSURED: The major wool growing countries namely Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay, all support the IWTO and Campaign for Wool and conform to the strictest standards of animal welfare as embodied in the IWTO Specifications for Wool Sheep Welfare. The IWTO Specifications are premised on the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare as set forth by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE): freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, the freedom to express normal behaviour, and freedom from fear and distress. The Five Freedoms also form the basis of strictly enforced national animal welfare legislation in each of these wool-growing countries. ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FOR WOOL The Campaign for Wool is a global endeavour initiated by its Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, to raise awareness amongst consumers about the unique benefits offered by Wool and call attention to the ecological advantages it delivers. The Campaign was launched by the Patron in January 2010 and has been celebrated in key international markets, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Canada, United States of America, New Zealand, Italy, Japan and China. ABOUT IWTO With a worldwide membership encompassing the Wool pipeline from sheep to shop, the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) represents the interests of the global Wool trade. By facilitating research and development and maintaining textile industry standards, IWTO ensures a sustainable future for Wool. To learn more about IWTO and its activities, visit www.iwto.org.

CAMBRIAN MOUNTAINS WOOL Cambrian Mountains Wool CIC is a Community Interest Company established in 2016, in order to facilitate the purchase and processing of wool produced on the farms in the Cambrian Mountains region of Wales, for commercial use. “Our premium wool is the finest grade of Welsh Mule, the name given to the local Welsh breed when crossed with the Blue Faced Leicester. It’s the Blue Faced Leicester that imports the lustre and fineness”. Alongside the development of the yarn itself, other aims of the company include the promotion of designers and makers using locally sourced wool, and engaging with local communities to encourage traditional textile skills and to raise awareness of the region’s wool production. Tregwynt are excited to be involved in the development of this new Welsh wool into a weaving quality. It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to return to the roots of Welsh weaving; combining locally sourced yarn with beautiful design in order to create a premium Welsh product for our customers.