Welsh Blankets
Our Story
FelinFach Meaning
FelinFach means "Little Mill" and is an independent Welsh company based at a 200-year-old former flour mill in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.
Natural Traditional Handmade
Wool is at the heart of all FelinFach activies from blankets, throws and hand dyed yarn to natural dye craft courses and workshops. Whilst FelinFach has evolved and grown into new areas over the years, our Mission, NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE remains. This is a story about weaving, wool, yarn and natural dyes, a yarn story!
FelinFach Comes to Life
I started my yarn and fabric journey a long time ago, and as my life changed with the arrival of my children and my career in the finance sector taking more of my time, it was set aside and revisited many times. My children are adults now making their own way in life and I was in the lucky position of being able to take up my journey once more. I could spend more time on my favourite pastime, designing Welsh blankets and throws, hand dyed yarn and other fabrics, endless possibilities! But I can also delve into the world of natural dyes in my purposed designed FelinFach Dye Studio - FelinFach had come to life...
Traditional Weaving
My interest was and still is weaving, we are fortunate to have a few mills still producing fine cloth in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire that still weave on 1930’s Dobbcross looms, see below. The weavers joined the mills as an apprentice and never left, one weaver is second generation at his mill. They are totally immersed in the wonder of producing beautiful fabric still using the looms they were trained on many years ago. Their knowledge is immense, I always enjoy a visit to the mills going through our designs and colour choices for the coming year weaving diary. These are skills that need to be kept alive and passed on to future generations, not to be lost.
Hand Dyed Yarn with Natural Dyes
When I struggled to find that colour, shade or tone that was in my thoughts I decided to dye the yarn myself. I started with the commonly used synthetic acid dyes but found the colours too harsh and not what I had in mind. I turned to natural dyes, a more time-consuming method with a few more stages but the rewards for your patience make it worthwhile. The colours are enthralling, each will depend on where the dyestuff was grown, how it was harvested, the fibres being dyed, and the method of application used by the dyer. Even when using one of my tried and tested recipes the dyestuff can produce a different colour. This is part of the charm of natural dyeing never quite knowing what the results will be and usually being pleasantly surprised!
Natural Dyes - Plant to Dye Pot
So, I now dye my yarn from plant to dye pot, a natural progression from dyeing yarn was to dye, block and screen print my fabric. Why not? Not as straight forward as it sounds – going from the dye pot to paint and ink. To convert dyestuff into ink or paint at the correct consistency, as well as all the prep work for the fabric and making the fixing agents is time consuming. Then there is the patience needed waiting for the fabric to cure before you can see the result! The Indigo vat is a challenge and process of its own also worthwhile for the results can be stunning and I don’t need to wait too long!
Being self-taught I have honed my skills and knowledge which has led to workshops in the UK and as far as North America. These various week-long or more events were rewarding both in knowledge and meeting new like-minded people who have become friends. I work with natural fibres such as wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp. I use the traditional dyes of madder, indigo, cutch, lac, logwood etc. and natural mordants, modifiers and tannins.
Natural Dye Craft Courses and Workshops
In 2020, following many requests from customers buying yarn at Shows and Fairs, we started holding workshops to learn how to hand dye yarn with natural dyes in our FelinFach Dye Studio. However, this was severely impacted by COVID19 and the 'lockdown' in the UK. But we are now back 'up and running' and holding workshops since 2021. Located in the north Pembrokeshire countryside, our hands-on workshops are held in a purpose designed Dye Studio. All the yarn and scarves for sale on this website have been hand dyed with natural dyes by the Tutor of these workshops. Our natural dyeing craft courses were featured in the Knitter in 2021.
A Yarn Story, to be continued...
Its difficult to know what is coming next in my yarn story but I think it will be interesting but also challenging. Whatever it is and whenever it is, I am looking forward to it!
Karen Morgan Founder, FelinFach Natural Textiles
About FelinFach
Located in Pembrokeshire Wales, our ethos is defined in the three words...
NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE.
- Hand woven iconic Welsh blankets.
- Hand dyed yarn, dyed with natural dyes only - no exceptions!
- Hand poured candles, candle accessories, Candle Making Workshops and soapery.
- Natural Dyeing Craft courses.
- Yarn shop, yarn bowls, project bags, tools and accessories for knitters and crafters.
- Welsh Gifts, souvenirs, made in Wales, handmade in Wales.
We are a proud supporter of Americymru, the Campaign for Wool, Global Welsh and Red Dragon America.
Last updated 20th May 2024
