FROM THE LAND COMES THE CLOTH

I AM A BIT OBSESSED WITH HARRIS TWEED. I SEE IT AS MY PERSONAL QUEST TO SAVE THEM FROM EVERY THRIFT STORE, FLEA MARKET AND CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE REGARDLESS OF SHAPE, CONDITION OR SIZE. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON IAN LAWSON'S NEW BOOK - FROM THE LAND COMES THE CLOTH. HIS FORTHCOMING BOOKS TELLS THE STORY WITH STUNNING IMAGES OF THE INCREDIBLE LANDSCAPE, PEOPLE (AND SHEEP) IN SCOTLAND WHERE THIS FINE PRODUCT COMES FROM.

DONEGAL TWEED

THE SCOTS AND HARRIS SEEM TO BE GETTING A LOT OF PLAY RIGHT NOW AND I HAVE TO ADMIT I CHERISH MY HARRIS TWEEDS. BUT I MUST CONFESS TO MY CURRENT INFIDELITY AND SLIGHT OBSESSION WITH VINTAGE DONEGAL FROM IRELAND. 

DONEGAL FOR CENTURIES HAS BEEN PRODUCING TWEED FROM LOCAL MATERIALS. THE SHEEP THRIVE IN THIS AREA OF IRELAND AND THE INDIGENOUS PLANTS PROVIDE THE DYES FOR THE WOOL (NOTE THE FLECKS OF COLOR IN THE WEAVE). THE LOOMS AND WEAVERS HAD BEEN SPREAD AROUND HOMESTEADS IN COUNTY DONEGAL LONG AGO TO PRODUCE THE TWEEDS AND THEIR NAMES CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND IN THE LABEL WITH THE LINE "JOY AND HEALTH TO YOU TO WEAR IT". NICE TOUCH. 

TWEEDER

AFTER SEEING FINE EXAMPLES OF HARRIS TWEED FROM RRL AND FREEMAN'S, I WENT ON THE PROWL FOR SOME VINTAGE TO TAILOR AND RESHAPE TO CALL MY OWN. (OLAF'S STARTED IT ALL OFF WITH THE FIRST GOOD FIND.) I HAVE SINCE SEARCHED MY FAVORITE THRIFT AND CHURCH SHOPS AND DUG UP SOME BEAUTIES. ALL FOR ABOUT $10-$15 EACH. I BRING THEM TO RAMON ("TAILOR TO THE STARS") ON MOTT ST. FOR THE RE-WORKING. HE DOES AN AMAZING JOB.