Members of the Women in Tailoring (WIT) network recently stepped inside one of Britain’s most enduring textile manufacturers for a rare opportunity to follow the journey of cloth from fibre to finished fabric.

Hosted at Moon’s Yorkshire mill, the visit offered members an immersive look behind the scenes of one of Europe’s few remaining vertical woollen mills, where every stage of production continues to take place under a single roof. Throughout the day, 30 of the WIT network met the specialist teams responsible for designing, dyeing, spinning, weaving and finishing the fabrics that have supplied generations of tailors and garment makers.

The tour also explored the mill’s rich heritage and its ongoing investment in British manufacturing, craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation. By connecting directly with the people behind the process, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the expertise and precision involved in creating the cloth that underpins the tailoring industry.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment between Moon and Women in Tailoring to strengthen relationships across the textile and tailoring sectors. Bringing together mills, merchants, makers and tailoring houses, the collaboration aims to encourage knowledge sharing, support skills development and foster greater appreciation of the craftsmanship required at every stage of production.

At a time when the future of British manufacturing and traditional skills is attracting renewed attention, the visit highlighted the importance of preserving specialist knowledge while inspiring the next generation of talent. It also demonstrated the value of creating stronger links between those who produce the fabric and those who transform it into finished garments.

For many of the Women in Tailoring members, the experience provided fresh insight into the origins of the materials they work with every day, reinforcing the close relationship between textile production and tailoring and celebrating the shared expertise that keeps both industries moving forward.

VISIT THE MOON WEBSITE

Find out more about Women in Tailoring here.

Moon is a UKFT member. Find out more about UKFT membership here.