Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is silk still produced in Macclesfield?
A. Yes but not on the scale of yesteryear when the town hosted 120 mills and dye houses. Today silk is still woven and printed in Macclesfield by a handful of companies working to order for suppliers of silk articles such as:
- Spurcroft Ltd produce ties and silk pictures many of which feature local scenes and landmarks
- Adamley Textiles supplies printed silk for the fashion industry
- RA Smart printers in nearby Bollington operates a highly specialised business printing devoree and velvet. This company produces mainly scarves for top designers.
Q. Were silk worms ever bred in Macclesfield?
A. Yes but never on a commercial scale. The climate is not conducive to rearing silk and they feed on the leaves of the Mulberry Tree. The monarch James Ist planted trees on the present day site of Buckingham Palace but the project did not succeed.
Silk worms can however be bred under artificial conditions and live silk worms can be seen at Macclesfield Silk Museum. They can also be seen at Lullingstone Silk Farm in Dorset.
Q. How much silk can be reeled from one cocoon?
A. About a mile in one continuous thread. It takes roughly 111 cocoons to make a man’s tie and 630 cocoons for a ladies blouse
Q. How many silk mills were there in Macclesfield at the height of the industry?
A. There were 120 mills and dye houses in Macclesfield alone whilst neighbouring towns such as Bollington, Leek and Congleton also had a substantial presence in the Silk Industry.
Q. How many of the mills are still standing?
A. About 40 still remain having been refurbished and adapted for use as small business units or dwellings.
Q. What is the history of Macclesfield Silk pictures and what are they worth?
A. A number of manufacturers produced silk pictures and Spurcrofts of Macclesfield continue to do so today. Perhaps the best known series of pictures is that produced between 1947 and 1992 by Brocklehurst Whiston. These pictures which often feature local scenes were generally produced as promotional items such as Christmas gifts and calendars. Production of the pictures was somewhat erratic however over time they became collector’s items resulting in a flourishing secondary market. Prices at auction vary from a few pounds to several hundred pounds depending on subject and rarity.
Q. Where can I find out more about Macclesfield Silk Pictures?
A. A short publication is available from the Silk Museum for £2.50. There is also a book entitled “Macclesfield Woven Silk Pictures” by Louis Cohen, which can also be purchased at the Macclesfield Silk Museum price £12.