Discovering Harris Tweed. Part 1

A while ago, I made myself this "Oversized fashionista Bag", following a pattern of Lisa Lam's "Bag Making Bible".

 

I guided you through the making of it here, here and here.

 

The outer fabric is Harris Tweed.
This was my first encounter with this gorgeous fabric.

Since then, I ordered some more Harris Tweed and started making small accessories for my shop.

 

 

 

These are my new , luxury , coin purses: with Harris Tweed as outer fabric and Liberty Tana Lawn for the lining.

Some of them have already been sold , but I will soon offer them in my shop.

Reading through some background information, I became fascinated by the history and process of Harris Tweed production.
So, I thought of sharing this with you.

 

Harris Tweed is a fabric hand-woven by the islanders in the Outer Hebrides on the Scottish Isles of Harris, Lewis, Uist, and Barra,

using local wool and vegetable dyes.

In the early 1900's, groups of Merchants on these Isles applied for a registered trademark to protect the name of Harris Tweed legally.

This trademark was called : "The Orb"

 

 

 

 

The original definition attached to the Orb Trade Mark stated that:

‘Harris Tweed meant a tweed, hand-spun, hand-woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in the Outer Hebrides.’

The Harris Tweed Association was formed to protect both the use of the Orb Trade Mark and to protect the use of the name ‘Harris Tweed’ from imitations .
 In 1934 a revised legal definition of Harris Tweed trademark was achieved. It allowed the use of local mill-spun yarn and confined all processes of production to the islands.



Here is an interesting link if you want to know more about the turbulent history of the Harris Tweed production. 

In my next post I will guide you through the actual process of Harris Tweed production starting with 100% new wool.

 

Warm regards

Kristien



 

The 2014 Trend Color of the year.

"Pantone is the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries.

Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute™ has been designating a Color of the Year to express in color what is taking place in the global zeitgeist. A color that will resonate around the world, the PANTONE Color of the Year is a reflection of what people are looking for, what they feel they need that color can help to answer. Not necessarily the hot fashion color of the moment, but a color crossing all areas of design which is an expression of a mood, an attitude, on the part of the consumers.

To distill the prevailing mood into a single hue, the PCI team, combs the world looking for future design and color influences, watching out for that one color seen as ascending and building in importance through all creative sectors. Influences can include the entertainment industry, upcoming films, art, emerging artists, travel destinations and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, lifestyles + playstyles, new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention. 

 

The color for 2014?  The captivating, magical and enchanting Radiant Orchid. An invitation to innovation, modern and versatile Radiant Orchid encourages creativity and originality. Imbued with a harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and its rosy undertones emanate great joy, love and health. "

Source: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=21128&ca=10

 

 

 

 

 

 



1. At Hawthorne Threads, one of my fabric suppliers, they put together a lovely collection of fabrics in radiant Orchid hues.

Have a look:

 

 

Here you can see the fabrics separately.

 

2. Another interesting link gives an overview of how this color will dominate fashion and beauty.

Some pictures:

 

 

 

 

3. Some treasuries on Etsy

 

 

 

 

4. A small item from my shop:

 





I could go on...
Enjoy.
Have a lovely weekend
Kristien