A few weeks back, as many of us were waiting with bated breath to see what would happen with the U.S. sunsetting the old de minimis act of the 1930s, I found myself turning to the loom. What would it really take, I wondered, to weave a piece of twill linen similar to the cloth I treasure from the Crewel Work Company?
That small spark of curiosity became a full-on experiment, and last night, I finally cut my piece off the loom. The result? A whole new appreciation for what goes into those beautiful blue boxes that land in my postbox.
The Experiment
Hours at the loom: 14, start to finish; warping, weaving, and finally cutting off the loom.
Cost of linen threads: About $50, purchased last year.
Finished size: 200 cm long by 60 cm wide. My piece has more drape than CWC’s linen, thanks to a looser EPI.
True cost (supplies + minimum wage): $283.24.
For comparison, ordering a piece of CWC linen in roughly the same size from their website runs about $124 (before shipping).
The Lesson
I knew from the outset that a small weaving studio could never compete with the efficiencies of a large-scale production. But going through the motions myself, measuring, weaving, adjusting tension, and finally smoothing the cloth in my hands, made the reality crystal clear.
Yes, my handwoven linen is lovely. It has character, quirks, and that quiet satisfaction of being born of my own hands. But it also comes with a high cost when considering time and effort.
And that is why, more than ever, I say with gratitude: CWC’s twill linen is worth every bit I have and will spend on it.
Why the Blue Boxes Matter
The resolution of the U.S. duty issue means those treasured blue boxes can keep arriving, and I couldn’t be more pleased. They’re more than just packages, they’re gateways into history, into tradition, and into the stitches that connect us across time.
So tonight, with my own linen folded neatly to the side, I raise my needle in thanks to the Crewel Work Company for continuing to provide this valuable linen for the crewel world.
Here’s to more blue boxes, more stitches, and the threads that bind us all together.