Spinning wheel making

Spinning wheels have played a crucial role in British textile history, evolving from simple hand spindles to more complex treadle-driven machines. Their production was once a skilled craft, tied to the wool, linen, and later, cotton industries.

Early Origins (13th–16th Century)

• The spinning wheel was introduced to Britain in the late medieval period, likely arriving from Europe around the 13th century.
• Early wheels were simple, hand-cranked devices used mainly for spinning wool, which was vital to England’s economy.
• By the 16th century, the great wheel (or walking wheel) was common in homes, especially for wool spinning.

Growth in Production (17th–18th Century)

• The Saxony wheel (with a treadle for foot-powered spinning) appeared in the 17th century, improving efficiency.
• Spinning wheels were primarily crafted by woodworkers and specialist wheelwrights, often made of hardwoods like oak, ash, and beech.
• The domestic textile industry relied heavily on spinning wheels, with many rural families spinning wool or flax for extra income.

Industrial Revolution & Decline (18th–19th Century)

• The invention of mechanized spinning machines, such as the Spinning Jenny (1764) and Water Frame (1769), led to a decline in hand-spinning.
• By the early 19th century, large textile mills had replaced most domestic spinning, and demand for spinning wheels plummeted.
• Some small-scale production continued, particularly in Scotland and Wales, where home-based weaving persisted longer.

20th Century Revival & Craft Movement

• During the Arts and Crafts movement (late 19th–early 20th century), interest in traditional crafts, including spinning, saw a revival.
• In the mid-20th century, hobbyist spinners and fibre artists created a small demand for handmade wheels.

Today

• While mass production of spinning wheels has largely ended in the UK, very few artisan woodworkers and heritage workshops continue to make or restore them.
• Traditional spinning wheels remain popular among fibre artists, reenactors, and heritage craft practitioners.

• Woodturning
• Furniture making skills
• Understanding of spinning wheel mechanics
• Metalwork for flyer shaft and wheel crank.

• Market issues: There is an upsurge in knitting and weaving and there are a number of small international suppliers of spinning and weaving equipment that meet the demand. These companies tend to use modern materials and high end equipment to make an acceptable product at a competitive price.

• Quarry Bank Mill, National Trust

• David Bryant
• Michael Williams has made 10 great wheels and may be prepared to make more if people are willing to pay the asking price which is a fair rate for the hours and materials. He believes he might be the only maker of great wheels in Europe.

Woodland Turnery closed in 2018 following retirement.

Valerie and David Bryant have been researching early spinning-wheel makers in the UK for many years.

Some of their recent projects have included:

• A number of great wheels for customers  40” and 42” for customers using traditional steam bending of the rim. The rim pieces are not rivetted as old wheels were, but a shallow half joint 100mm long is used to glue the two halves together for a smooth rim. Later wheels incorporated  ball bearings in the spindle head to make spinning smoother.
• For Quarry Bank Mill; a 26” spindle wheel and replica of Hargreaves spinning jenny (16 spindle 1994). The 26” spindle wheel I have recently restored after 20 or more years of use in interpretation now has ball bearings in the spindle head.
  
• An interpretation of an 18^th cent table wheel based on one by John Jameson (York 1780-1802) Contributed  to the ‘Spinning Wheel Sleuth’ just recently on this. Temporary wheel rim 8” diameter is wood at the moment but I am changing this to brass for more momentum. Overall length is 15”.
• Assisted the V&A to restore a Piffetti and French table wheel. Both now on show in the European Gallery.

Lumb, Dorothy, Spinning wheels made in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales during the 20th century 

David Bryant, Wheels and Looms, 1987

Our thanks go to our 2025 informants:

• Michael Williams, Woodturner

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