Prickly Thistle Scotland
Build your own clothes
Woven into the fabric of Scotland....
We are passionate about story telling at Prickly Thistle, and to tell your best story we take time to discover it by working with you as the co-author throughout the whole design process.
In discovering your story, for some the journey is historic, perhaps involving genealogy of a family and or a business. For others, the cloth is intended as a celebration of a specific event, person or special occasions that is redolent with images, emotions and experiences that are special to them. Together we visualise these initial ideas on our private online design board, which is accessed directly via our website. Our design portal provides an interactive and collaborative digital space that enhances the complete design experience from anywhere in the world.
What is so amazing about working with British wool? All natural fibres are amazing, and we must work hard as makers and consumers to understand the value of not wearing “oil” clothes made with slavery…..This is a principle all countries will adopt in time – source as close to home as possible, wool in every country is always much better than oil you’re your backyard.
If any/ what have been your challenges with working with British wool and a local way of working? The permitted collapse of the supply chain over decades, and the exploitation of those remaining within the industry by others with perceived “brand”. The complete disconnect we have with fabrics, compared to say food – they are both essential but yet many people have no idea what is inside a fabric. Labelling has been criminal especially when we have phrases like acrylic wool….. which is a blatant misuse of the word wool.
What weaving looms do you use and how many do you have? 4 dobcross shuttle looms – dating from 1929 to 1970’s – slow manufacturing for considered consumption.
Do you finish onsite? If not is it convenient or what would be your ideal situation? We make our own clothing own site with our own fabric.
Do you find a lot of push back in the industry in terms of working with British wool? No
Do you find that customers are becoming more interested in British wool? Yes
On a scale of 1- 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 excellent) how much do you think your business has improved in the below areas as a result of good working practices and environmental standards?
Waste Production - we are zero waste due to making only with our in-house designs - 10 (off-cuts, production)
Plastic Pollution - we send back plastics to suppliers despite us saying do not send to us – we use zero plastic packaging with our customers - 9 (packaging)
Water Waste - N/A (dyeing and finishing)
Energy Consumption - since day 1 in 2018 when we set up our mill we have always paid for green energy – we focus on in person sales now and therefore have reduced our shipping activities dramatically - 9 (shipping, machinery etc)
Do you have any hero farmers or people in your supply chain you would like to highlight? Everyone is a hero who fights for genuine social and environmental justice – the quietest are often the most impactful.