On my way to Dorset on holiday a few weeks ago, my friend Sarah and I stopped in at Whitchurch Silk Mill. I’ve been wanting to go there for years, but Hampshire’s an awfully long way to go just to see a museum. I’m so glad we did, this little place is a real gem. It’s a working silk weaving mill, powered by waterwheel, producing fabrics for top interior designers and a lot of costume dramas. I love a good costume drama so enjoyed all their framed film stills with fabric samples a lot, including my beloved Cranford. Reminds me I have the DVDs to watch. Whoa, that just made me realise I’ve missed a whole evening of frocks on the TV tonight. Dammit. And Coast, my latest knit-a-long favourite.
Anyway, back to the silk. I was totally charmed by this
window covered in striped silk scraps.
And the silk ready for winding onto bobbins.
The rolls of striped silk.
The display of traditional smocks.
The hand looms to play with.
And even the smocked vegetables. Yes, cabbages, marrows, onions and mushrooms made using smocked fabric. Truly remarkable!
Ruth Singer 
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