Huston Textiles will soon be the last remaining selvedge denim mill in the United States. Based out of Sacramento, California and owned by engineer and tinkerer Ryan Huston, the mill uses vintage American-made machines — like those from Draper, Crompton & Knowles, Davis & Furber and Whitin — and domestically sources natural fibers in an effort to make a high-quality, fully-American product to the same lofty standards held during the golden age of textiles.
It’s not an easy path — just ask the nonexistent competition. But, Ryan has taken it upon himself to carry the burden and see it through. And like a real-world Ben Kenobi, when it comes to the future of American selvedge textiles Ryan may be our only hope.
When Cone Mills closed their historic White Oak plant, the entire menswear industry felt a collective jolt. As the news spread, many wondered (and worried) what it meant for both the iconic American blue jean and the fragile supply chain of independent domestic collaborators — like growers, ranchers, and dyers — that make up the their pieces of the American textile puzzle.
To help fund his mission of keeping U.S-sourced-and-made selvedge fabrics on the market, Ryan’s created a Kickstarter campaign. So now, those of you who want to contribute to the continued existence of American selvedge totally can. And in the process, you can make sure that the fabric isn’t just a hallmark of America’s past excellence when it comes to textiles, but the continuation of a great legacy moving forward.
Learn more about what they’re doing, what the Kickstarter campaign is looking to achieve, and how you can lend a hand here.
