mens pocket square

Everybody knows somebody!

This year our chosen charity is the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven located in the grounds of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Just as reflected in their slogan, “Everybody Knows Somebody,” we can all name a friend or relative that has experienced breast related health issues. Coping with the emotional as well as physical affects of breast cancer can be overwhelming. By offering clinical services, support and assistance the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven reaches out to so many men and women with their breast care needs. They go beyond the existing provisions of the NHS to help with both the practicalities and emotional strains experienced.

The digital print process can often result in lengths of fabric being wasted. For example: ends of rolls that don’t quite fulfill a customer’s full order. What a waste! To cut down on this we have created a number of files of various sizes that can just squeeze into those odd lengths of fabric at the end of an order. Not only are we avoiding waste but we are also supporting a worthwhile charity.

Bag and scarf image
Tote Bag with Pocket Square

We tasked Sophie Jenkins, our Merchandising Production Manager to design a bespoke scarf and bag for the charity. We think she has done an amazing job. Sophie studied a BA Hons in Textile and Surface Pattern at Swansea University before developing her designs working with both Holly Fulton in London and then Tom Cody in New York. We were delighted that she was willing to create this design for the WBUH.

The colours of the charity and the slogan have naturally influenced the layout of the designs. The contemporary floral pattern that wraps around the slogan is fresh and simplistic in its structure – an amazing designer image to reflect the ethos of the charity. Printed onto 100% silk, these scarves are a luxury accessory, available in different sizes for both women and men.

Just as the scarves used up our silk fabrics, we then needed a use for our excess cottons. By tweaking the design, Sophie was able to create a stylish tote bag. Again this has created a vibrant, joyful accessory making it such a pleasure to use.

If you would like to get hold of any of these designer scarves or bags and support the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven then please get in touch with the charity direct on 01905 733 786 or email info@silkbureau.co.uk.

Sophie small scarfcharity photo shoot

Large Scarves: 100cm x 100cm 100% silk : £45

Small Scarves: 65cm x 65cm 100% silk : £35

Pocket Squares: 35cm x 35cm 100% silk : £10

Tote Bags : £10

Tea Towels : £10

These products are also available at many of the charity’s stands and fundraising events across Worcestershire. Check their website for more details.

Printing Scarves

Shrinkage

The processes involved in digital textile printing causes the original fabric to shrink. If you are printing scarves, the size of the finished product will be important to you. For example, if you have square artwork, you will be expecting your finished scarf to be square!

To get the printed fabric closer to the size you need, all fabric intended for scarves must go through an extra step to reshape it. Please allow extra time on your deadlines to allow for this process. 

Let us introduce you to the …

Stenter

The stenter is an enormous piece of machinery that has many uses, including coating our fabrics and reshaping scarf orders.

After travelling through a solution to soften the fabric, it then passes over a flat bed, gripped on the selvedge edges to pull it back into shape. 

It’s a long and precise process that needs to be carefully monitored.

Shrinkage Disclaimer

If you have selected to use our hemming service, we will check the stentered fabric for you before we begin to finish your scarves. If you are not using our service, it’s up to you to check the size BEFORE you cut out the individual scarves from the fabric length. We cannot re-size after your scarves have been cut out.