Transparency
Our Commitment
When we started on this journey, we soon realised how difficult it is to find materials that are made in the UK. As a small developing brand it becomes even more difficult because understandably, some manufacturers have large minimum order quantities. This would never be an option for us because it would be too expensive and more importantly we have committed to only purchasing what we will use.
We are happy to say that we buy UK products wherever possible and if this is not an option then we go through a UK merchant. Many of these merchants were historically manufacturers but sadly they have not been able to compete with cheap imports and so have become merchants rather than manufacturers.
We want you to know what is in your garment and where the materials are coming from. Every garment is delivered with a recipe of all ingredients used, where we purchased them and where they were made.
We chose to use only natural fibres that are from the earth and can be returned to the earth at the end of their hopefully, long journey. We buy organic cloth, sustainably sourced cloth and Oeko Tex certified cloth.
When you buy a hand made Withnell garment you are also supporting many other UK makers and merchants.
Our Sources
Linen Cloth
Northern Ireland - Irish linen is woven and finished in Ireland, unfortunately it is not grown and processed into yarn there any more, it comes from France, Belgium and other Eastern European countries.
East Sussex, England - A UK merchant who sources linen from Europe.
Organic Cloth
Somerset - A UK merchant who sources from India and Turkey.
Cotton Cloth
Todmorden England - A Uk merchant who sources from around the world. The company is a family business that started in Manchester in 1869, by one of the original ancestors of the current Managing Director.
Bespoke Printed Cloth
Withnell original prints are designed in house and printed on natural fibres. Currently we are using cotton poplin.
Evesham England - A UK digital printer.
Thread
Colne, Lancashire , England - A family business since 1927
Buttons
Wiltshire, England - A maker who makes their own buttons in the UK from natural corozo, shell and horn
London, England - A merchant supplying many natural and organic resources, shell and horn buttons
Toggles
Carnforth, Lancashire - A company with a long history and heritage that goes back to 1749
Cotton Lace & Cotton Elastic
London, England - A merchant supplying many natural and organic resources.
Derbyshire, England - A manufacturer of traditional leavers lace since 1845
Brand & size labels
Derby, England - A company who produce labels on 100% cotton.
Stationary
Leicestershire, England - Our swing tickets, care guide, repair kits, thank you cards and stickers are all designed at Withnell Studio and printed on recycled paper or card.
Packaging
Coppull, Lancashire - All 100% biodegradable packaging made in the UK.