The English Sewing Cotton Company Scrapbook

  This advertisement from Creative Needlecraft Magazine dates from 1968. The Sylko reel is now plastic and is accompanied by man-made fibre sisters Trylko. Although the change of branding to Tootal Sylko hasn't yet taken place, the writing is on the wall. The clue is in the address at the foot of the page. ESCC is now called English Sewing Ltd because of the mergers that were a theme of the dying of the British textile industry. And the company is no longer based at Arkwright House.  56 Oxford Street, Manchester, is now known as The Tootal Building, having been built for the Tootal company at the end of the 19th century. Sylko reels, though still carrying the old branding, were now under the umbrella of someone else entirely. They were still being produced in Skipton, but would only be so for another 15 years or so. Seek out my Sylko books on Amazon here

  Ever noticed a number 40 or a number 50 on a reel of Sylko cotton? This newspaper advert from around 1930 explains what they mean. You are much more likely to find a 40 reel - I have come across very few 50s.  Those were the days before dumbing down, when you could use the word raiment in a newspaper ad. Visit my Amazon page - Sarah Miller Walters, or my Etsy shop, Sewsylko. Thank you!