{"id":94442,"date":"2025-02-25T18:22:08","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T18:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=94442"},"modified":"2025-06-04T15:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T14:00:03","slug":"theres-a-real-magic-to-it-tailor-celebrates-the-heritage-of-wool-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/25\/theres-a-real-magic-to-it-tailor-celebrates-the-heritage-of-wool-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018There&#8217;s a real magic to it\u2019: tailor celebrates the heritage of wool in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>As we approach lambing season, a St Fagans exhibition brings the future of the industry to the fore<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>WALES is synonymous with sheep farming, but as St David&#8217;s Day and lambing season approach the wool industry is facing a difficult future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But a Cardiff tailor is celebrating the history of the Welsh wool industry through 10 pieces of clothing in an exhibition at St Fagans museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Catherine Davies, 43, owner of Teilwr Bach, has crafted seven jackets and three shirts, using wool from seven different mills across Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to show the beauty of it all and the time that goes into making a garment that is supposed to last forever,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket-.jpg 1890w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket--1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/brown-jacket-.jpg 1890w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>The jacket made at the Cambrian Woolen Mill for Caroline Lloyd.<\/strong> Credit: Catherine Davies <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The display, highlighting how Welsh wool can be spun, woven and crafted into works of art, runs until the end of April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And for anyone interested in seeing the origins of the high-quality material, Llwyn yr Eos Farm, at the museum, will be open to the public from March 1 to 22 for visitors to see newborn lambs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><u>Bringing Welsh wool back to life<\/u><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Three of Ms Davies&#8217; jackets were made using wool from active mills across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Melin Tregwynt, Pembrokeshire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Curlew Weavers, Ceredigion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Welsh Wool Company, Pembrokeshire &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The remaining jackets were made from blankets made at mills that are now closed down, at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ffatri Wlan Gwili Lan, Camarthenshire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ffatri Wlan Star, Pembrokeshire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melin Wlan Cambria, Powys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melin Teifi, Camarthenshire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love the idea of things being made locally and knowing exactly where they\u2019ve been woven,\u201d said Ms Davies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt brings pride in local skills,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lining of each jacket was designed and screen-printed by a different artist at the Printhaus, Canton, to illustrate stages in the wool-to-garment process, including one depicting a wool mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1.jpg 1890w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/lining-pic-1-1.jpg 1890w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>The lining for one of the jackets at the St Fagans wool exhibition<\/strong>. Credit: Catherine Davies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The three shirts, were made for the refugee charity Oasis, which also helped craft the garments in a project called Blancot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"877\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1024x877.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1024x877.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-770x659.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-293x251.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1400x1199.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project.jpg 1421w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"877\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1024x877.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1024x877.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-770x659.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-293x251.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project-1400x1199.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/blancot-project.jpg 1421w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Chehe at the Oasis Blancot project.<\/strong> Credit: Catherine Davies <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of sheep in Wales has decreased to 8.7 million, the lowest number since 2011. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is due to rising costs of keeping sheep in fertiliser and feed, as well disease preventing lambs being born, according to the National Farmers&#8217; Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"760\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-1024x760.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-1024x760.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-770x571.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-293x217.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-1024x760.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-1024x760.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-770x571.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1-293x217.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Gb4xz-the-number-of-sheep-in-wales-nbsp-1.png 1240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to support not just Welsh weavers but farmers in getting a better price for the wool, said Ms Davies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clare Johns, who created one of the jackets on display using wool from her own flock in Pembrokeshire, said sheep have to be shorn once a year for welfare reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, a fleece fetches only about 50p each, which barely covers the cost of the shearing, added Ms Johns, 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the last 40 years, farmers have mainly kept sheep for meat or to sell on as breeding ewes and rams, not to produce wool, said Gareth Jones, a British Wool spokesperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, the average price at auction for wool increased by nearly 25% in the last year, indicating a higher demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last year, Wales produced around five million kilos of wool, the second highest amount in the UK, behind England. To make a jacket, requires about five or six fleeces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1006\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-1024x1006.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-1024x1006.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-770x756.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-293x288.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1006\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-1024x1006.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-1024x1006.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-770x756.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk-293x288.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/8fDV9-the-amount-of-wool-produced-in-the-uk.png 1240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn order for demand for British wool and the price to increase, there needs to be a&nbsp;lifestyle change among us all as consumers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf we all make lifestyle choices around wool, investing in those superior quality products made from British wool, this not only supports our sheep farmers but also makes a vital contribution in supporting our environment now, and for future generations,\u201d said Mr Jones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Read More: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/25\/so-what-happened-to-all-the-rubbish-left-on-the-streets-after-wales-v-ireland\/\">Rubbish left after the Six Nations <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/01\/31\/ultra-friends-are-losing-sleep-over-marathon-50-hour-run-to-support-asylum-seekers\/\">Running 100 miles in 50 hours <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/25\/its-like-a-spa-for-the-soul-the-choir-challenging-the-stigma-of-dementia\/\">The choir challenging the stigma of dementia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><u>The benefit of wool<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Wool is natural, biodegradable and renewable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also thermo-regulating, because it can insulate in cold weather and be cooling in warm weather and it is breathable. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also has an anti-bacterial property, which can prevent the build-up of odour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to British Wool, 75% of the fibres used globally to make clothes is synthetic and of the rest wool accounts for less than 2%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"812\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1024x812.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1024x812.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-300x238.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-770x611.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-293x232.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1400x1111.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies.jpg 1422w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1024x812.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1024x812.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-300x238.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-770x611.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-293x232.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies-1400x1111.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/sheepies.jpg 1422w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: George Ratcliffe <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Synthetics fabrics require large amounts of water in production and contain microplastics that won\u2019t biodegrade at the end of its life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><u>Cost<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The elephant-sized sheep in the room is the cost attached to producing garments from wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople are starting to choose natural fibres now,\u201d said Ms Davies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the cost of having a handmade item that takes months to weave, design, knit and stitch together is much higher than an item that is mass-produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ms Johns estimated that the average cost of a jacket would be around \u00a3700.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt didn\u2019t used to be such an exclusive thing because everyone used to go to the tailors,\u201d said Ms Davies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having one item of good quality could last a lifetime and could be repaired multiple times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It is something that if everyone did it then the cost would come down,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we approach lambing season, a St Fagans exhibition brings the future of the industry to the 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