Jacquard,
a Frenchman, had invented his loom in 1804, and it was the first
truly automated (and some say even "computerised") system
for mass produced continuous weaving of complex and intricate
multicoloured patterns by using punched cards.
Jacquard looms
often took many days to thread and set up, but that done, they
could produce continually 24 hours a day thereafter, and revolutionised
much of the weaving process in terms of the sheer quantity and
intricacy of material produced.
These looms
have been lovingly restored to their original working condition,
and can be seen in operation during the guided tours offered at
the Mill.
Most of the
silk-covered buttons in Britain, (and over much of the civilised
world for that matter), in the late 18th century would have been
made in Macclesfield, as would most of the silk ties worn in Britain
until quite recent times.
The mill opened
in 1862, (though silk weaving had been in Macclesfield since the
1750s) and originally housed both hand and powered looms.
As early as
1743, Charles Roe had built his first water-powered mill in Macclesfield,
and within a decade, the town had become the nation's main centre
for silk production.
From 1912
the factory was owned by Messrs Cartwright & Sheldon, and
concentrated solely on hand-weaving, despite the advance of power
looms all around them. Several ex-employees show their traditional
experience and expertise in demonstrations of the silk-weaving
process.
The final
death blow to Macclesfield silk came from China, from whence cheap
imported silks began to appear in the 1960s. Nowadays, the mill
produces only silk ties and ribbons.
Roe Street,
Macclesfield, Cheshire. Tel: 01625-613210.
The Silk Museum
is open Monday to Saturday from 11am - 4.30pm and on Sundays and
Bank Holidays
from 1.00 - 4.30pm. Closes 4pm in winter. Please check times in
case they have changed.
The first
museum in the country to be devoted entirely to the manufacture
of silk.
It is housed
in the old four-storey Macclesfield Sunday School building of
1813, and has many interactive exhibits telling the story of silk
production in the town.
There is a
film theatre, audio-visual displays and guided tours. A restaurant/café
is located in the basement.
The museum
also has on display an exhibition of luxurious silk period costumes
of the 17th and 18th centuries.
