...literally in the cottage industries. Family groups would work together specialising in one or two processes. Children as young as 7 or 8 would be involved alongside parents and grandparents, with needle work skills being passed down through generations.

Workshops would be found in rooms and brewing houses behind cottages in and around the Redditch area.

Scouring was the first process to be brought under one roof; the first factories where a workforce would be brought together.

Sewing needles in factories

Washford Mill and Studley Mill were converted in the early part of the 18th century, with Forge Mill being built especially for purpose in 1725.

Many parts of the process of needlemaking were still housed within the cottages however, until the development of steam power and advancements in machines meant that most processes could be brought into the factory by the middle part of the 19th century.

Although output was able to grow, and many tasks were undertaken by machine, much work was still done by hand. Stamping and Eyeing machines were eventually introduced in the first part of the last century.

Social awareness grew through the latter half of the 19th century, with the emergence of sick clubs and hardship funds - even small pensions paid to retired workers. Some large employers would rent housing at a favourable cost to key staff and long-serving employees.

Apprentices would be taught by elder craftsmen, alongside the original 'passing down' of skills within families of the needleworking trade.

Read Part One of  Memories of a Needlemaker

Read Part Three of memories of a Needlemaker