History
Here in Warwickshire, the home of Mary Arden; William Shakespeare’s mother, the needle industry has earned itself a worlwide reputation for quality over a period of more than 300 years.
The first evidence of needle making in its conventional form was to be found in the English monasteries.
Bordesley Abbey, founded in 1156, was probably the earliest foothold of the industry in Warwickshire, the heart of rural England. Although the Abbey surrendered to King Henry VIII when the monasteries were dissolved in 1538, the monks stayed in the area to continue their needle making.
English needle making was traditionally a cottage industry. Work was passed from one family to another, each contributing its own special skills to perform the different processes required. In 1730, with development of man’s ability to put water power to good use, all of the important facets of the needle making craft came under one roof.
The Entaco factory continues to supply the finest quality needles to 60 countries worldwide and are proud to bring you the Mary Arden collection of fine quality craft needles.
How needles are made.
1. The raw material is high quality steel coil which is drawn down to the required size.
2. From the coils the wire is straightened and cut to the length of two needles.
3. Each length of wire is pointed at both ends.
4. Pairs of matching dies stamp the eye impression in the centre of the wire.
5. A hole is punched though the two eyes at the centre.
6. The wires are broken into two separate needles.
7. The waste metal around the sides of the eye is ground off. Cheeked
8. The waste metal from the top of the eye is ground off. Headed
9. So far the wire has been soft, but it is now hardened.
10. It is tempered to ensure the correct amount of spring in each needle.
11. The needle is scoured which both cleans it, makes it completely smooth and highly polished.
12. The needles are usually nickel plated unless a special coating or finish is required.
Finally Every single needle is inspected by eye before being packaged for sale.
