Fleece to Garments

Alpacas are shorn annually and produce between 2 and 5 kilos of fleece.

At Morden Hall, the fleece is separated into different classes as the alpaca is sheared. The sorting and classing of alpaca fibre is crucial to the eventual quality of the final garment and the initial separation of the coarser fibre from the neck and legs etc from the finer fibre of the main fleece is hugely beneficial in the later stages of production.

The fleece is a collection of hollow fibres and it is the diameter of the individual fibres that will ultimately determine the softness of the finished product. Any coarse (or thicker) fibres must be removed if a luxurious soft product is to be achieved.

The coarser fibres will not be rejected. They have many other uses from carpeting to duvet fillings.

There are many hand spinners who love to work with alpaca fibre and we generally retain a few fleeces each year to supply this market. However, we believe that the success of the UK alpaca industry will depend on establishment of a viable commercial alpaca textile industry. We therefore support the aims and objectives of our national cooperative, British Alpaca who collect and process our fleece on our behalf. Ultimately, we hope to get a financial return from the Cooperative which aims to redistribute the profits made from the sale of manufactured garments back to its members.