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available thanks to the innovation of suppliers, including Parkin Fabrics who developed and manufactured a range of cotton and recycled cotton buckram in a variety of weights. The importance of recycled elements in materials is supported by the customers at House of Adorn who, Miranda said, are also seeking a recycled plastic option for their thermoplastic. Baxter Hart & Abraham have been
working to recreate a modern version of Paris net. Nick Horn said: “We are proud to have managed to have this remade in the UK, produced in ivory, bleached into white, dyed into black and stiffened by our sister company, Barford Brothers.” This is an important step in innovation for manufacturing to ensure this product remains available in the market as demand has remained amongst makers.
Quality and price point
It is evident that the production of hand-woven parasisals and buntals has undergone significant changes in recent years. The grading system of straws, which is based on the fineness of fibre, consistency of weave, and therefore quality, has had to adapt to reflect this. What was once considered a Grade 3 may now be classed as a Grade 1 due to
the nature of the straws available. The introduction of buntal mats marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of this material, with colour and patterns now taking centre stage over the fine straw strands. Further on, sabutan mats represent yet another progression in this evolution.
While finding a fine woven straw is
proving challenging, some suppliers turn to vintage stock and work to source from old manufacturers’ stockpiles. This was the recent experience at Baxter Hart & Abraham, who said: “We have been lucky in the last six months as one of our manufacturers offered us a sealed bale of old cones. It is very difficult to tell exactly when these were made; we suspect they are from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, and at the time were probably Grade 2 or 3.” Miranda at House of Adorn noted:
“Weavers are becoming increasingly scarce, and achieving a finer weave has become more challenging as fewer artisans possess the requisite techniques. Consequently, we’re seeing a decline in quality. Moreover, raw material costs have surged in recent years, resulting in higher prices, which are difficult to absorb without passing them on to customers.”
Reflecting on the challenges of
sourcing, Judith M remarked: “Pricing is a significant factor in our decision- making process. Like many commodities, material costs have soared in recent years. As wholesale suppliers, we strive to maintain competitive pricing for our customers. Providing consistent, high- quality products helps justify any price increases.” At For Millinery, an additional quality
assurance step has been integrated into their customer fulfilment process. “Our team checks weight and quality each time very carefully,” Janusz said, when discussing the quality standards and the importance of meeting customer expectations.
Stock obsolescence
The materials held by suppliers and in the personal collections of makers illustrate
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