Early 20th Century Welsh Plaid

Early 20th Century Welsh plaid.

This plaid blanket is woven from hard-wearing herringbone twill without a raised nap. 

It was made in the Upper Teifi Valley, which was formerly the centre of wool production in Wales and at one point nicknamed 'The Huddersfield of Wales.' 

In its heyday, the Teifi Valley had around 24 mills within a square mile all using wool from the local sheep.

Fierce competition led to high quality textiles with increasingly wonderful colours. This example features thick cream and peppermint stripes on a neutral background, interspersed with fine violet stripes. 

Reaching its pinnacle in the 19th Century, the Teifi Valley started to decline in the early 20th Century following the First World War. The mills still produced lighter weight plaids and checks however, with wonderful results. 

This would make a lovely bedspread of sofa throw, and has a rich history behind it.