Rag traders

ELIZABETH (FAR LEFT) AND MARGARET BEAUMONT CREATE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TEXTILES AND HOMEWARE FOR THEIR BUSINESS RAG MAKERS IN WEST YORKSHIRE

“Mum and I were always busy making things in our spare time; our heads were full of ideas we wanted to try,” says

Elizabeth. “Then, when Mum changed jobs and I moved closer to home, it gave us an opportunity to put some of those plans into action.” The pair drew inspiration from women in the family who’d spent their lives working in the rag trade, recycling woollen cloth in Ossett, West Yorkshire. Adopting similarly sustainable principles, Elizabeth and Margaret source pre-consumer waste yarns and fabric cut-offs from local mills, turning them into handmade homeware, bags and blankets. “Being able to spend the time together is wonderful,” Elizabeth says. “Becoming a mother myself has given me a new perspective, making me even more thankful for everything Mum does and continues to do for me.” ragmakers.com