A woven woollen fabric that takes its name from the river Tweed, the natural border between England and Scotland. Tweed comes in many different weaves and colours, but is essentially a hardwearing, interesting cloth that does its job discreetly.
The yarns are dyed in natural country colours, each piece a combination of many muted tones. Some of the yarns are flecked with a lighter colour and some are spun from several different tones of thread.
Traditionally very much a cottage industry in Scotland, Ireland and the Isles, each length is traditionally limited in size and not repeated. More commercially minded weavers have appeared in the last few decades, improving the possibilities for interior furnishings, which generally require longer runs and some colour standardisation.
Often used for sweaters, coats and suits, tweed fabric displays all the characteristics of wool, it is hard wearing and durable with a subtly textured appearance. As upholstery and curtain fabric it is a great standby as in some ways it is invisible, just as it is camouflage for the country gent and for grouse shooting, it is the perfect foil in a room scheme.
Harris tweeds and Donegal tweeds are very traditional in style and colouring, Anta, Isle Mill …