William Morris Fabrics and Textiles

In his design career, William Morris produced textiles of several types, all emphasizing a return to hand-made values. He taught himself tapestry weaving, and – in the Victorian age of industrialization and mechanization – re-established hand-blocked printing for cotton and linen fabrics.

At Morris & Co.’s Merton Abbey works, both woven and printed fabrics were made. The woven fabrics Morris designed were generally made in wool a variety of in tapestry weaves, which were used for heavy curtains, wall hanging or upholstery. The weaves often were a combination of wool and linen or wool and silk.

Carpets were also hand made at Merton Abbey, although Morris had other companies produce his designs that used weaving machines, and produced carpets.