Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Oadby and Wigston

A Proud Textile Heritage

Few places in England can match the textile heritage of Leicestershire, and Wigston sits right at the heart of that story. For centuries, framework knitters worked from homes and small workshops in Wigston Magna, producing stockings and hosiery that were sold across the country. The Framework Knitters Museum in Wigston preserves this history, showing how the knitting frame shaped the town's streets, cottages and community life.

Leicester grew into one of the world's great hosiery and knitwear centres, and while much mass production moved overseas in the late twentieth century, the region still has a vibrant textile and garment manufacturing sector. Today the industry is defined by quality, speed to market, technical innovation and a renewed interest in British-made products. This guide highlights ten textile manufacturers that buyers, designers and businesses in Oadby and Wigston should know.

Why British Textile Manufacturing Is Growing Again

Retailers and brands increasingly value shorter supply chains, which allow them to respond quickly to trends, reduce excess stock and improve transparency. Consumers are also more interested in where and how their clothes are made. Combined with advances in knitting technology and digital printing, these factors have helped British manufacturers win back work that once went abroad.

The Top 10 Textile Manufacturers for Oadby and Wigston Buyers

1. John Smedley

John Smedley has been making fine knitwear in Derbyshire since the eighteenth century, making it one of the oldest manufacturing businesses in the world. Its merino wool and Sea Island cotton garments are renowned for their quality and longevity. For anyone who values the East Midlands knitting tradition that Wigston helped create, John Smedley is a benchmark.

2. Wolsey

Wolsey is one of the most historic names in Leicester's textile history, with roots stretching back to the eighteenth century. Known for underwear, socks and knitwear, the brand was once among the largest hosiery employers in the city. It remains an emblem of Leicestershire's contribution to British clothing and continues to celebrate its heritage in modern collections.

3. Fox Brothers

Fox Brothers in Somerset has woven fine wool cloth for centuries and is famous for its flannel. The mill supplies leading tailors and fashion houses. Designers and tailoring businesses in the Leicester area often turn to Fox Brothers when they need authentic British cloth with a traceable heritage.

4. Abraham Moon and Sons

Abraham Moon and Sons is one of the last remaining vertical woollen mills in Britain, handling everything from raw wool to finished fabric in Yorkshire. It produces tweeds and fabrics for fashion and interiors. Its vertical model offers buyers exceptional quality control and consistent colour matching.

5. Camira Fabrics

Camira is a leading designer and manufacturer of contract upholstery fabrics, supplying furniture makers, transport operators and office designers. It is known for innovation in sustainable materials, including fabrics made from recycled fibres and natural plant fibres such as wool blends. Furniture businesses across the Midlands rely on its technical performance.

6. Johnstons of Elgin

Johnstons of Elgin is a Scottish mill specialising in cashmere and fine wool, producing knitwear, accessories and woven cloth. It manufactures for its own label and for luxury brands. Its expertise in premium natural fibres makes it a respected partner for high-end retailers.

7. Sanderson Design Group

Sanderson Design Group, home to Morris and Co and Sanderson, designs and manufactures printed fabrics and wallpapers, operating its own printing facilities in Lancashire. Interior designers and soft furnishing makers in Oadby and Wigston value its archive of iconic patterns and its commitment to British production.

8. Halley Stevensons

Halley Stevensons in Dundee specialises in waxed and waterproof cotton fabrics used in outdoor clothing, bags and accessories. Its technical finishing expertise has made it a supplier to heritage outerwear brands. Small accessory makers in Leicestershire use its cloth for durable, weather-resistant products.

9. Pretty Polly

Pretty Polly is a celebrated British hosiery brand with deep roots in East Midlands manufacturing. Known for tights and stockings, it represents the continuation of the very craft that framework knitters once practised in Wigston. The brand remains widely stocked by major retailers.

10. Corgi Socks

Corgi has knitted socks and knitwear in Wales for more than a century, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern machinery. It produces for its own label and collaborates with fashion houses and outdoor brands. Its skill in fine-gauge sock knitting echoes the hosiery traditions of Leicestershire.

How to Choose a Textile Manufacturing Partner

Start by defining what you need: knitted or woven fabric, finished garments or raw cloth, small runs or large volumes. Ask about minimum order quantities, lead times and sampling processes. Ethical compliance is essential, so request evidence of fair labour practices and independent audits. Sustainability credentials such as recycled content, responsible wool standards and water-saving dye processes are increasingly important to end customers.

• Visit the factory or request a virtual tour where possible.
• Agree clear specifications for fibre content, weight and colour tolerance.
• Discuss intellectual property protection for your designs.

Trends in the Textile Industry

Reshoring, circular fashion and digital manufacturing are the defining trends of the decade. Seamless knitting machines can now produce entire garments with minimal waste, while digital printing allows short runs with almost unlimited design flexibility. Recycled fibres and textile-to-textile recycling are moving from niche to mainstream. In Leicestershire, renewed attention to working conditions has also pushed the sector towards higher standards and greater transparency.

Final Thoughts

Oadby and Wigston's textile story began with framework knitters at their frames, and it continues today through manufacturers who combine heritage with modern technology. Whether you are a start-up fashion label, an interiors business or a buyer seeking British-made quality, the ten companies above offer an excellent starting point for building a reliable, responsible supply chain.