Stocking Makers Cottages, Tewkesbury white plaque

This white commemorative plaque records: Stocking Makers Cottages. This 18th century house was designed for stocking makers; the long first floor window giving maximum light onto their work. The weavers worked on frames often rented from a hosier. The carding and spinning was traditionally done by women and children. In the 18th century when cotton replaced wool, the Tewkesbury makers used two ply locally spun yarn. Nottingham makers, who used three ply Indian yarn, sponsored "The Tewkesbury Act" to enforce labelling of "superior" three ply stockings. Nevertheless, Tewkesbury remained a centre of the trade until mechanization ended it. Recorded plaque organisation: Tewkesbury Civic Society.

Stocking Makers Cottages in Tewkesbury were designed to support the local stocking-making industry, featuring long windows for ample light during production. Despite competition from Nottingham's superior three-ply yarn, Tewkesbury remained a significant center of the trade until mechanization took over.