WHAT IS A LOOPWHEELER?
Our original loopwheelers are seldom and rare 100-year-old circular warping machines.
There are only a few loopwheelers left worldwide, and we are proud that most of them are in our German production site.
WHAT IS A LOOPWHEELER?
Our original loopwheelers are seldom and rare 100-year-old circular warping machines.
There are only a few loop wheelers left worldwide, and we are proud that most of them are in our German production site.
WHY DO WE STILL USE LOOPWHEELERS?
Unique & Exceptional Fabrics
The unique fabrics we make on our loopwheelers
look and feel different compared to the ones we know from modern machines.
WHY DO WE STILL USE LOOPWHEELERS?
Unique & Exceptional Fabrics
The unique fabrics we make on our loopwheelers
look and feel different compared to the ones we know
from modern machines.
No Side Seams
As the machines are circular, the resulting
garments have no side seams. No side seams,
no twisted garments!
No Side Seams
As the machines are circular, the resulting
garments have no side seams. No side seams,
no twisted garments!
Maintaining the Tradition
Merz b. Schwanen adheres to the region and still produces all fabrics of
the entire vintage GOOD ORIGINALS line on the Swabian Alb with
authentic production methods on original loopwheelers.
Maintaining the Tradition
Merz b. Schwanen adheres to the region and still produces all fabrics of
the entire vintage GOOD ORIGINALS line on the Swabian Alb with
authentic production methods on original loopwheelers.
WHAT IS A LOOPWHEELER?
Our original loopwheelers are rare 100-year-old circular warping machines.
When over 100 years ago, the garment industry was modernized, amazing machines were developed: The invention of loopwheelers made it possible to produce innovative and very comfortable warped fabrics, which today are known as jersey.
Every machine is fitted with over a thousand needles. In the old days, every needle was made by hand. They are assembled in a row, knitting the thread row for row as it spools down.
This happens in a gentle, calm, productive atmosphere – a feeling many wish to have in their job and daily routine.
WHAT IS A LOOPWHEELER?
Our original loopwheelers are rare 100-year-old circular warping machines. When over 100 years ago, the garment industry was modernized, amazing machines were developed: The invention of loopwheelers made it possible to produce innovative and very comfortable warped fabrics, which today are known as jersey.
Every machine is fitted with over a thousand needles. In the old days, every needle was made by hand. They are assembled in a row, knitting the thread row for row as it spools down.
This happens in a gentle, calm, productive atmosphere – a feeling many wish to have in their job and daily routine.
WHY DO WE STILL USE LOOPWHEELERS?
Unique & Exceptional Fabrics
The unique fabric we make on our loopwheelers look and feel different compared to the ones we know from modern machines.
The machines are reliable but not perfect.
The slight irregularities within the fabric are an essential part of the characteristic look and feel of the garments and old times gone by.
REAL 'SLOW FASHION'
These machines revolve very slowly, and every device has to be adjusted by hand with true craftsmanship.
It takes almost 20 times longer to warp the fabric for one T-shirt on a loopwheeler than on a modern machine.
Check out our unique fabrics here:
WHY DO WE STILL USE LOOPWHEELERS?
Unique & Exceptional Fabrics
The unique fabric we make on our loopwheelers look and
feel different compared to the ones we know from modern machines.
The machines are reliable but not perfect.
The slight irregularities within the fabric are an essential part of the characteristic look and feel of the garments and old times gone by.
REAL 'SLOW FASHION'
These machines revolve very slowly, and every device has to be adjusted by hand with true craftsmanship.
It takes almost 20 times longer to warp the fabric for one T-shirt on a loop wheeler than on a modern machine.
Check out our unique fabrics here:
Made with Good Materials
All of our fabrics have one thing in common: they are all made of high-quality materials, such as certified Greek organic cotton, super-fine merino wool, or the natural product of viscose.
These naturally finished materials ensure the best feel and comfort while wearing!
Pure Textiles
The all-natural condition of the materials is warranted by omitting chemical additives or any industrial pre-wash.
The result?
Fabrics made of the best natural material, pure, and with very little tension due to the slow warping process. This results in incredibly vintage looks and touch.
The unique comfort such a rare production process bestows is evident from the very second you slip into one of the garments.
You can see and feel the difference.
Made with Good Materials
All of our fabrics have one thing in common: they are all made of high-quality materials, such as certified Greek organic cotton, super-fine merino wool, or the natural product of viscose.
These naturally finished materials ensure the best feel and comfort while wearing!
Pure Textiles
The all-natural condition of the materials is warranted by omitting chemical additives or any industrial pre-wash.
The result?
Fabrics made of the best natural material, pure, and with very little tension due to the slow warping process. This results in incredibly vintage looks and touch.
The unique comfort such a rare production process bestows is evident from the very second you slip into one of the garments.
You can see and feel the difference.
NO SIDE SEAMS
Because the machines are circular, the resulting garments have no side seams. No side seams mean no twisted garments.
Nearly every garment is produced without a lateral seam; there is a fitting loopwheeler for every size.
Be sure to carefully check the measurements in the table before purchasing the GOOD ORIGINALS.
Since the garments produced on these old machines are circularly warped, and thus the sizes depend on the diameter of the machine, the size may be different than what you are used to with other modern textiles.
We recommend sizing up.
NO SIDE SEAMS
Because the machines are circular, the resulting garments have no side seams. No side seams mean no twisted garments.
Nearly every garment is produced without a lateral seam; there is a fitting loopwheeler for every size.
Be sure to carefully check the measurements in the table before purchasing the GOOD ORIGINALS.
Since the garments produced on these old machines are circularly warped, and thus the sizes depend on the diameter of the machine, the size may be different than what you are used to with other modern textiles.
We recommend sizing up.
MAINTAINING THE TRADITION
Our GOOD ORIGINALS:
Made with patience, peace, and a lot of experience. This is what you need if you work with original loopwheelers. These machines revolve at a very slow speed and require true artisanal craftsmanship.
Manufactured in Germany
Renowned for its long-lasting tradition in the textile industry, the Swabian Alb was always classified as the stronghold when it came to crafting garments.
Sadly, the region was eventually tainted by cheap mass production, which forced many manufacturers to close their businesses. Some recovered, some didn't:
Merz b. Schwanen adheres to the region and still produces all the GOOD ORIGINALS line fabrics in the Swabian Alb, Germany, using original production methods on original loopwheelers.
MAINTAINING THE TRADITION
Our GOOD ORIGINALS:
Made with patience, peace, and a lot of experience. This is what you need if you work with original loopwheelers. These machines revolve at a very slow speed and require true artisanal craftsmanship.
Manufactured in Germany
Renowned for its long-lasting tradition in the textile industry, the Swabian Alb was always classified as the stronghold when it came to crafting garments.
Sadly, the region was eventually tainted by cheap mass production, which forced many manufacturers to close their businesses. Some recovered, some didn't:
Merz b. Schwanen adheres to the region and still produces all the GOOD ORIGINALS line fabrics in the Swabian Alb, Germany, using original production methods on original loopwheelers.
A Second Chance
The production floor measures 130 square meters. Some floorboards squeak. There is a gentle hum in the air, a simple melody produced by the machines.
Old wooden discs spin endlessly on the ceiling, connected by five-centimeter-wide leather straps.
The straps lead to a single transmission engine keeping everything on the floor in motion.
The light shines through the windows, and the metal patina of the machines glowing warms.
There they are – 32 original loopwheelers, perfectly conserved and functional.
The newest machine was built in the 1960s, and the oldest one is from 1889. Forgotten by the rest of the world, these gentle giants have been patiently waiting for a second chance for over half a century.
A Second Chance
The production floor measures 130 square meters. Some floorboards squeak. There is a gentle hum in the air, a simple melody produced by the machines.
Old wooden discs spin endlessly on the ceiling, connected by five-centimeter-wide leather straps.
The straps lead to a single transmission engine keeping everything on the floor in motion.
The light shines through the windows, and the metal patina of the machines glowing warms.
There they are – 32 original loopwheelers, perfectly conserved and functional.
The newest machine was built in the 1960s, and the oldest one is from 1889. Forgotten by the rest of the world, these gentle giants have been patiently waiting for a second chance for over half a century.
Authentic Packaging
When it comes to protecting and packing our garments of the GOOD ORIGINALS line, we think outside of the box.
Unique textiles deserve special packaging.
This is made by a family business following the original design.
Made by one of the last producers of lateral clips in Germany, the boxes carry some history themselves.
Of course, you can store whatever you like inside the useful boxes, but your Merz b. Schwanen garments might fit best.
Authentic Packaging
When it comes to protecting and packing our garments of the GOOD ORIGINALS line, we think outside of the box.
Unique textiles deserve special packaging.
This is made by a family business following the original design.
Made by one of the last producers of lateral clips in Germany, the boxes carry some history themselves.
Of course, you can store whatever you like inside the useful boxes, but your Merz b. Schwanen garments might fit best.
Designs inspired by All-Time Classics
Classic cuts that show the origins of Merz b. Schwanen now come to the fore.
The GOOD ORIGINALS span all decades, from the vintage 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s up to modern styles spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s.
These garments are directly inspired by the traditional way of crafting authentic vintage clothes, honest craftsmanship, and passion.
Designs inspired by All-Time Classics
Classic cuts that show the origins of Merz b. Schwanen now come to the fore.
The GOOD ORIGINALS span all decades, from the vintage 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s up to modern styles spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s.
These garments are directly inspired by the traditional way of crafting authentic vintage clothes, honest craftsmanship, and passion.