Who’d’ve thought it: Welsh Tweed that in the 1960s seemed so fuddy-duddy and old woolly tea-cosy-ish has been transformed into a substance of loveliness and huge desirability, and all thanks to some cunning tweaking on the design front. And the place where they are doing much creative tweaking of this most traditional of Welsh industries is Pembrokeshire, West Wales. (Some of you may remember my trip to Solva last year). Ten days ago we meandered our way down narrow lanes just south of Fishguard to visit Melin Tregwynt.
It stands in a narrow wooded valley not far from the sea, and has been worked by members of the Griffiths family since 1912, when Henry Griffiths bought the place for £760. He took over premises that had their origins in the 17th century, the looms driven by water power from the nearby stream. Today Tregwynt’s looms are high-tech, but the weaving shed still houses an old waterwheel. And apart from producing wonderful cloth that feels like heaven, the other brilliant thing about this enterprise is that it employs over 30 local people, and is otherwise a fantastic place to visit with a very excellent shop and cafe.
And, in case you’re wondering, we did not come home empty-handed:
Line Squares Today’s the first day of Becky’s October Squares: – lines, however you find them.
Tish Farrell 
Gorgeous textiles and gorgeous cushions too, I definitely need new cushions but I also need a new sofa! I loved the Welsh blankets we saw in Pembrokeshire but some of them come at an eye-watering price!
The cloth is expensive, but I think it would last centuries – given half a chance!
Yes, and truly lovely – I have just been browsing through their store!
They had a full-length simple wrap dressing gown in the shop, v. costly, but a marvellous thing to wear if you were intent on cutting winter fuel bills.
I see they will also make things to order. I would like a couple of new cushions slightly larger than they sell so I might enquire about that. As you say, they’ll probably last my lifetime at least!
Heirlooms in the making, I’m sure. The cushions are very huggable too.
Water driven looms… I’d love to see that.
the reds remind me of Maasai shukas here at home.
These are beautiful fabrics.
I think the Maasai would think them very beautiful too, and very warm in the cold season.
they are good for the evening in nairobi. it gets a bit cold usually
Aren’t the pretty?
From subtle shades, to shout-out hues.
What a lovely place to visit. Good choice of covers and great taste Tish – I would not have expected any less from your though! I need wool more than ever this far North and believe I have outwitted the pesky moths so my jumpers live another winter
Thank you, Laura. And as for MOTHS, they surely take some outwitting: bags, freezer, sandalwood, lavender, policing the wardrobe! And most of all, remembering (before one finds the next moth hole) to put all of these into action. How far north are you?
only as far as S. Yorks but far enough – maybe moths prefer warmer climes
S.Yorks is a good spot. My ancestral borderlands with Derbyshire.
oh these are gorgeous . . you did well only to come out with two cushions! A very tempting set of lines to start with 🙂
The bed quilts were SO tempting too.
Gorgeous textiles Tish, you must have loved it. I love the grey and beige design of the cushion covers. Very relaxing and interesting to visit and learn about places like these. Great photos!
Glad you liked this, Agnes. It was such heartening place to visit.
I can believe that Tish.
Beautiful textiles Tish. I’m in love with the whole red range you showed. Shame I am so far away; I’d be very happy to support a business like this (and add to my growing fabric stash).
You found some fab lines, Tish!
I was really chuffed when I looked at the photos. And thought just that, Sue.
And quite right, too!
As a weaver, I love this!!
I can imagine!
Ha! Have been to Fishguard! Stayed not far from there at The Golden Lion hotel and loved it!
Ah-hah back. Now I can think we were walking in Bill’s footsteps. We walked past The Golden Lion a few times.
Nice! Cute little town, there.
Ooh I’d like some of those red fabrics!
It’s stunning, isn’t it.
Lovely! The reddish ones for me, please 🙂 🙂
Definitely very luscious aren’t they.
There are so many lovely patterns there, it would be very hard to choose just one!
Very, very hard 🙂