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Began as a home industry
At first the washing of the wool, the treatment and the dying of the fabrics was done in rented rooms in a basement in Brønderslev, whereas the actual work of weaving initially was done on the farms in the vicinity. It was a domestic industry which at a time employed 40 to 50 weavers. In those days weaving was a typical indoor wintertime occupation and an important source of income to many families.
At Vævegaarden, where activities were gathered and coordinated a number of weavers were hired to do test weaving and development work.
When the King stopped by
Peter Kjeldsen, an incredible entrepreneur, also opened a furniture store by the mill and he understood how to get the media to mention his company. When in 1953 the Danish Royal couple visited Brønderslev, Kjeldsen had it arranged so that King Frederik the 9th and Queen Ingrid spent a short while at Vævegaarden where they were given a chair upholstered in the newest fabric of the company; it became known as the queen pattern.
When development gathered speed
Peter Kjeldsen, founder of Vævegaarden, sold the company in 1957 and two years later it was taken over by the Sachse family. During the following years Vævegaarden expanded several times, both the weaving mill and the furniture store.
All activities were now at Vævegaarden and exports picked up seriously.
From hand power to engine power
The first power looms were installed in 1972. Until then production was solely on handlooms, which caused the fabrics to be very costly as a weaver could weave two meters a day at a maximum. The old wooden looms were instead used for more unique and artistic works e.g. church textiles.
The modern production of furniture fabrics of exclusively natural materials has taken over eventually. Wool with its many good properties is the material preferred. We have always put special emphasis on quality, tradition and design. Today Danish Art Weaving is the last of its kind in Denmark.
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