Leppers

Leppers are a type of textile worker who specializes in fulling, a process that involves thickening or compacting woven fabric by pounding, pressing, or shrinking it. The term "lepper" is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word "leppen", which means "to press or crush".

Historically, leppers played a critical role in the textile industry, particularly in the production of woolen cloth, which required fulling to achieve the desired thickness and texture. The process of fulling involved subjecting the fabric to intense pressure, often using heavy weights or stones, to compact the fibers and reduce shrinkage.

Leppers used a variety of tools and techniques to achieve the desired result, including the use of heavy leather mallets or stone weights, as well as specialized devices such as fulling mills and plying irons. The process was often labor-intensive and required great skill and manual dexterity, as leppers needed to precisely control the pressure and motion of the fabric under treatment.

While the demand for leapers has declined in recent times, with the advent of mechanized textile production methods, their skills are still valued by traditional textile artists and conservators today. These craftsmen continue to use traditional techniques to produce high-quality, hand-made textiles, often using historic and antique equipment to recreate traditional textures and finishes.