There is no brief answer to the question of what it is that makes Thomas Mason fabrics so exceptional; thousands upon thousands of fabrics have been produced since its founding in the late 18th century. Perhaps the most succinct explanation is the one given by the Albini Group on the Thomas Mason website: “We make fabrics of the highest quality, flaunting a bold style and timeless elegance.”
Digging deeper, it starts with the materials. Thomas Mason controls every step of the process in its manufacturing, starting with the seeds. The majority of its fabrics feature Extra-Long Staple cotton, which consists of fine fibers.
What makes them unique?
In order to better understand the quality of Thomas Mason products, a brief explanation of yarn count is necessary. The English method of counting involves units of measurement called hanks. One hank is 840 yards of yarn. The first number in the yarn count, as seen below in the fabric descriptions, shows how many hanks of yarn are used per pound. The second number is the notation for ply. These apply to the vertical thread, also known as the warp. The second pair of numbers applies in the same way to the weft, or the horizontal thread. In the first example below, Warwick requires 80 hanks per pound and two-ply vertically on the loom, with 90 hanks per pound and a single ply horizontally. This is important to the consumer because in general, the higher the thread or yarn count, the softer the textile.
The company’s four core values also give insight to its prestige: unwavering quality, timeless elegance, bold creativity and forward facing research. It balances tradition with experimenting; artisanal care with innovation. Its “signature British colours, bold patterns and superior yarn counts are the result of the finest raw materials and cutting edge spinning and weaving.”
