Fleece to Fashion at Hawick Textiles Week

Fleece to Fashion at Hawick Textiles Week
Hawick Heritage Hub, 27-30 Sept 2022

The University of Glasgow ‘Fleece to Fashion’ research team will be joining Hawick Textile Week Activities on Thursday 29 Sept and Friday 30 Sept 2022. Both days will feature talks about the team’s research into the Borders knitwear industry and opportunities for members of the local community to share their experiences of working in this sector.

Margaret Klein and Ready-to-Wear Knitwear: Hand-knitting and Knitting at Home

Thursday 29 September, Hawick Heritage Hub
10.00 – 12.00 Talk and Discussion
13.00 – 15.30 Open Drop-In

Photograph of knitted cardigan in pastel colours on a mannequin.
Hand-knitted cardigan designed by Margaret Klein for the Bernat Klein ready-to-wear garment collection, c.1980s-1990s (Private Collection)

For more than 20 years, Margaret Klein created hand-knitted garment designs for the Bernat Klein brand. She ran a successful business that employed hundreds of home-knitters to produce her unique garments knitted from yarns designed by Bernat Klein.

This talk, illustrated with slides and objects, will discuss Margaret Klein’s design process, her business acumen, and the role of outworkers in the knitwear industry.

It will also share some of the early results from our ‘Knit a Margaret Klein’ citizen science project, which asked volunteers to knit samples of Margaret Klein’s designs to inform our understanding of her creative process and provide insight into the experience of the home worker.

Photograph of label from cardigan designed by Margaret Klein, which says 'Bernat Klein - hand-knitted in Scotland'
Detail of label from garment designed by Margaret Klein for the Bernat Klein ready-to-wear collection, c.1980s-1990s (Private Collection)

13.00 – 15.30 Open Drop-In

The research team are keen to hear about people’s experiences working in the knitwear industry – please come along and talk to members of the team about your experiences working from home, within knitwear factories, or as a leisure knitter. We would also be delighted to see examples of knitwear made by Borders firms – past and present – and by members of the local community.

Did you or any of your relatives or friends work as a home knitter for the Borders’ knitwear companies?

Did you work in one of the knitwear factories in any capacity?

Do you have any garments or artefacts you would be willing to share with us?

We would love to meet you and give you the opportunity to view and discuss a wide range of archival materials relating to the industry held by Hawick Heritage Hub.

Design, Machinery and Staff at Peter Scott Ltd (Pesco): Factory Knitwear Production in the Borders

Friday 30 September, Hawick Heritage Hub
10.00 – 12.00 Talk and Discussion
13.00 – 15.30 Open Drop-In

Photograph of the front of the Peter Scott factory building with a large sign in the shape of the Peter Scott signature logo
Peter Scott factory, Hawick

This talk, illustrated with both slides and archival materials, will focus on the factory production of knitwear in the Borders using Peter Scott Ltd (Pesco) as a primary example.

Machine-made hosiery and outerwear characterise the Borders’ knitwear industry. Using design books and catalogues, we will discuss how the company responded to changing fashions and the role of machinery in creating and making the classic designs for which the Scottish knitwear sector is famed worldwide. We will also consider the important contribution of Peter Scott’s workforce to the company’s success and discuss the scale of the workforce, what jobs men and women did, and how much were they paid.

Photograph of knitted garment sketch, with written notes and production specifications.
Garment sketch from Peter Scott Ltd Design Book, SBA 512/4/4/2 (Photograph by F2F team used with permission of Hawick Heritage Hub)

13.00 – 15.30 Open Drop-In

The research team are keen to hear about people’s experiences working in the knitwear industry – please come along and talk to members of the team about your experiences working from home or within knitwear factories. We would also be delighted to see any materials relating to the industry that you would be willing to share.

Did you work as a barfiller, foreman or forewoman, looker, mender, presser, frameworker – or any other occupation – at Pesco or any other knitwear company?

Are you currently working in the industry – and would you be willing to talk to us about your work and experience?

Do you have any memorabilia, catalogues or photographs relating to the knitwear industry that you would be willing to share with us?

We would love to meet you and also give you an opportunity to view and discuss the remarkable collection of archival material relating to Peter Scott Ltd held by Hawick Heritage Hub.

Whatever your experience – hand or machine – we would be happy to talk to you at either drop-in session. And if you are unable to attend either of our days – but would like to share your experiences – then please contact us via email – arts-fleecetofashion@glasgow.ac.uk

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