Manchester’s Lisa Watson has always had a passion for fabric — and, most importantly, everything quilted. Lisa takes her quilts from design to sale. The materials are sourced from British manufacturers: the thread comes from a mill in Lancashire, the ribbon from Cheshire. Fabrics range from traditional Harris Tweed to zinging colours in sumptuous velvet, all trimmed with distinctly British fabrics from the conventional to 1950s retro. Here, Lisa explains why she is committed to made in Britain and the support that helped turn her creative vision into a business.

Home-grown talent

I believe there has never been a better time to celebrate and invest in the quality, heritage and expertise of British manufacturing. The resurgence of home-grown products has gathered pace over the last decade. Campaigns such as Made in Britain and a growing consumer appetite for provenance, sustainability and shorter supply chains have put UK-made goods back in the spotlight. With my roots firmly planted in the North West, I’m proud to be from an area with such an outstanding textile heritage.

The UK textile industry has changed dramatically since its nineteenth-century peak, but it remains a significant employer and exporter. According to the UK Fashion & Textile Association, the UK fashion and textile industry supports around 1.3 million jobs across the full supply chain, while textile manufacturing alone directly employs roughly 100,000 people. The North West continues to be one of the country’s strongest textile clusters, accounting for around one in five UK textile manufacturing jobs and combining historic mills with modern design studios and advanced manufacturing. Greater Manchester in particular is enjoying renewed optimism, and I feel enthused to be part of a renaissance in British textile manufacturing.

Alongside my business partner, Frank Fult, in Audenshaw, we stitch and hand finish the quilts in our workshop. I have big ambitions to train and employ others in the local area, inspiring them to continue the legacy of ‘Best is British’.

The ‘light bulb’ moment

Since completing an embroidery degree at Manchester Polytechnic — now Manchester Metropolitan University — in 1992, I have always worked in textiles, but I had an urge to do something more. I’ve worked closely with the local community to help people through the medium of art, from making huge textile banners with Accrington secondary school students to creating artwork with patients and their families at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. After creating a quilt for an event celebrating International Women’s Day in 2009, I was introduced to Claire-Marie Boggiano and her network of North West businesswomen. And I was hooked.

Connections and support

It’s fantastic how supportive and generous women are in life and business — and the pearls of wisdom they share have been essential for both my sanity and start-up success. When I was starting out, I tapped into local enterprise support to turn my vision into a viable business. For anyone setting up today, there is a wealth of practical help available.

Your first stop should be your local Growth Hub. In Greater Manchester, the Growth Company offers free advice, workshops and one-to-one support for new and growing businesses. If you need funding, the British Business Bank and the government-backed Start Up Loans scheme can help new businesses access finance and mentoring. Manufacturers and makers can also look at Innovate UK for innovation grants, and the Design Council for support with product development and sustainability.

Since making the leap to start making quilts commercially, I’ve never looked back. It’s been tricky at times to balance designing and sewing, juggling freelance work and looking after the family, but I feel that I am finally on the path to reach the equilibrium I have always dreamed of.

Why made in Britain still matters

Choosing British is about more than a label. It means shorter supply chains, lower transport emissions, clearer ethical standards and the chance to build real relationships with the people who make your materials. For a small business, it also creates a story customers can connect with. Every quilt I make carries the history of Lancashire mills, Cheshire ribbon weavers and British wool growers — and that is something mass-produced imports simply cannot replicate.

Events such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, which takes place every November, are a brilliant reminder that help is out there. With thousands of free events, workshops and networking opportunities across the UK, it is the perfect time to tap into practical advice and give your business a boost.

Practical first steps for start-up makers

• Speak to your local Growth Hub. Growth Hubs are government-funded partnerships that offer free, impartial advice on everything from business planning to funding. You can find yours through the GOV.UK business support finder.
• Explore start-up finance. Start Up Loans offer personal loans for business purposes alongside free mentoring, while the British Business Bank can signpost you to other schemes.
• Protect your designs. Textiles and patterns can be protected through copyright, design registration and trade marks. The Intellectual Property Office has guidance tailored to creative businesses.
• Join a trade body or network. Organisations such as the UK Fashion & Textile Association, Made in Britain and the Crafts Council offer networking, credibility and market intelligence.
• Tell your story. Customers increasingly want to know where products come from. Share your sourcing, your makers and your values on your website and social media.

Lisa sells her quilts through her own website and donates £10 from every quilt sold to three chosen charities.