A Thread Through Time
Our Story as a British Wool Manufacturer
If you love to stitch, you’ve probably heard of Appletons wool. For nearly 200 years, our wool has been at the heart of tapestries and embroideries across the world. From royal garments and historic restorations to kitchen table projects just like yours.
But how did it all begin?
Let’s take you back to 1835, when Thomas Appleton set up a small workshop in Pitfold Mill, Haslemere, making worsted lace and military braid. At one point, we were the only mill in the UK producing this specialist braid. Not bad for a little family business!
Soon after, Thomas married and moved to Elstead, where he took over the local corn mill. The building is still there today, now a pub called “The Mill at Elstead.” If you ever visit, look for the original bell tower Thomas built to call his workers in. At its busiest, the mill employed around 100 people, all part of the growing Appletons family.
From there, the business kept evolving. In 1854, Thomas bought Sickle Mill, and in the 1880s, the company moved to Chiswick, West London, where we stayed for over 100 years. As demand for military braid declined, we turned our focus to what we’ve become famous for, tapestry and crewel wool, made right here in Britain.
From generation to generation, the thread was passed. First through the Armitage family (1901-2013), and then to Di Cawdron, our current owner, who bought the business in 2013. That same year, we moved to our current home in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, where tradition and modern craftsmanship sit side by side.
Milestones That Got Us Here
- 1835: Founded in Haslemere, Surrey
- 1854: Expanded to Sickle Mill
- 1880s: Moved to Chiswick; shifted to tapestry & embroidery wool
- 1901–2013: Run by the Armitage family
- 2013: New chapter with Di Cawdron; relocated to Long Crendon
- 2015: First trade show, doors open to bigger markets
- 2016: Retired Victorian machines, went digital (with a handmade heart)
- 2019: Launched our own Appletons kits
- 2020–21: Crafting boom! As the world paused, stitching boomed
- 2021 & 2024: Added fresh new shades
- 2025: New skein machine incoming, thanks to growing demand!
Threads That Bind Us
Our Values
We have always been about more than just wool. It’s about tradition, craftsmanship, sustainability and community. A thread that connects generations of makers.
Today, we’re proud to be a female-led British wool manufacturer, with a small, passionate, and predominantly female team. We’re driven by a love of creativity and a mission to help every maker. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just picking up a needle for the first time, we want you to discover the same joy in crafting that inspires us every day.
Our wool is 100% British, and we’re proud to work with the same families of suppliers – from local farmers and dye houses – for decades. Some for over 80 years! Every hank and skein of Appletons wool comes from this rich heritage of British craftsmanship.
A Legacy in Every Stitch
You’ll find Appletons wool in places far and wide. From the reimagining of the final panels of the Bayeux Tapestry to the stunning Great Tapestry of Scotland, and (if the rumours are true) even in the embroidery of some garments worn at the King’s Coronation in 2023.
But honestly, the projects that excite us most? They’re yours. The cushions you stitch for a friend. The heirloom tapestry you’re finally finishing. The kits you pick up to try something new. You are part of the Appletons story now.
What’s Next?
As we look to the future, we’re committed to:
Growing our range of kits, colours, and creative tools.
Investing in our equipment to support our growing community.
Continuing to empower our team, our customers, and the wider stitching community.
Staying true to our roots as a British wool manufacturer, producing the very best wool for tapestry and embroidery, just as we always have.
Strengthening our commitment to sustainability, supporting British farming, reducing waste, and producing a natural, renewable product that’s made to last.
