Manufacture of Liberty Fabrics
35mm nitrate film Black & White Silent 1933 2:59
Summary: The manufacture of Liberty fabrics at Merton Abbey print works.
Title number: 1211
LSA ID: LSA/1670
Description: A film promoting Liberty fabrics showing various stages in their manufacture and production. Beginning with scenes of the watermill and building of the Merton Park works the film proceeds inside to view men at work. A pair of men rinsing fabric by spinning cloth through a bath of water. Elsewhere in the works another man rolls out a bolt of cloth on to a long table and begins to iron out creases. Subsequently patterns are stamped on to lengths of cloth using wooden blocks pressed into the fabric by hand. The patterned cloth is pegged out on to a rack and lowered into steam chamber in order to fix the dyes. Outside the works buildings another man lays out a bolt of dyed cloth into a flowing watercourse. Some of the completed patterned fabrics are displayed by filming them against a light source. The film concludes with women modelling long sleeved dresses made from the patterned cloth. A pair of these women sits at a side table drinking tea from cups and saucers while one of the women smokes a cigarette.
Keywords: Clothing; Fashion; Manufacturing industry; Textiles
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Merton; Wimbledon
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