At Grasmere Gather we have recently welcomed a new collection of products by Alice Caroline, made from the iconic Liberty Fabrics. We believe in the importance of supporting local heritage industries and this collection, which features bags, hot water bottles, and eye masks, celebrates Cumbria’s rich textile history. Many people may not realise that Cumbria has deep-rooted connections to both the cotton industry and Liberty Fabrics. In this blog, we’ll explore these fascinating links and how they have shaped the region’s economy.
Textile production has been a part of Cumbria’s industrial history for centuries. Using local wool and natural resources, it was once an essential cottage industry for farmers, making the most of what the land provided. But as technology advanced across the UK, so did Cumbria’s textile industry. By the 1780s, cotton milling flourished in the Lake District, driven by the region’s abundant water sources that powered the spinning machinery. While it may seem surprising for cotton to have thrived in such a rural area, the region’s lakes and rivers made it the perfect location.
Mills were often formed through partnerships between local entrepreneurs and experts in the cotton trade. They became essential parts of the economy, employing hundreds of people and providing housing for their workers. As industry progressed and technology advanced, these mills transitioned to steam power by the early 1800s. While spinning became increasingly mechanised, weaving remained a highly skilled craft, done by hand until the 1920s. Skilled weavers were in demand and rural mills attracted them by offering housing and steady work. This shift to skilled labour provided Cumbrians with new opportunities beyond traditional farming.
The finishing of cloth in the North West was primarily centred in Carlisle, chosen for its supply of unutilised land and access to water, an essential part of the fabric finishing process. Initially, fabrics were printed by hand before transitioning to mechanised printing in the 1870s. For generations cloth was a cornerstone of Cumbria’s economy until the 20th century, when much of the industry moved overseas.
In keeping with our support of Cumbria’s textile heritage, we’ve added a new Liberty collection, all made in the UK. This connection runs deeper than just the link to Cumbria’s cotton industry. The collection, designed by Alice Caroline, features Liberty of London fabrics, patterns that are not only quintessentially British but also have historic ties to Cumbria.
One of these connections is through Morton Sundour Fabrics, a British textiles firm based in Carlisle. Founded by Alexander Morton, the company evolved from a small cottage industry into a thriving business with over 600 employees, reflecting the growing strength of the cotton industry in Cumbria. When Morton’s son, James, took over the running of the company his love of designers like William Morris led to collaborations with renowned artists like Voysey, Lewis F. Day and Lindsay Butterfield. Together they created iconic fabrics that were sold in Liberty of London.
This relationship between Morton Sundour and Liberty also led to a groundbreaking innovation. In 1900, James Morton noticed that his fabrics in Liberty’s window display had faded in the sun. Determined to solve this issue, he conducted research from his home in Penrith and developed revolutionary colourfast dyes. Soon he became known for his unfadable fabrics produced in Carlisle.
The story of Cumbria’s textile industry, and its long-standing connection to Liberty of London, is a fascinating one. It aligns with our mission at Grasmere Gather: to celebrate and support industries that have deep roots in our region. Alice Caroline’s collection, crafted from these iconic Liberty fabrics, is a nod to this heritage.