An active textile factory in the middle of Stockholm

K. A Almgren silk factory is the only still active silk factory that remains in Scandinavia. Here, silk fabrics and ribbons are woven on original machines in their original factory environment from the 1860s. It is also a place for exhibitions and programs where textiles run like a common thread. Here is where present and history meet.

The silk factory started already in 1833, before the breakthrough of industrialism in Sweden, and its history shows the various phases and challenges of the Swedish textile industry right into our own time. It has always been a women's workplace. Today, almost no textiles are manufactured in Sweden. It is instead a source of income for women on the other side of the globe. The silk factory provides knowledge about the role of the textile and clothing industry in both Stockholm's history and in the emergence of modern society and shows women's participation in this development. To promote a more sustainable textile and clothing industry globally is a natural part of the silk factory's mission.

The Silk Weaving Mill

Visitors who step into the weaving room on the 1st floor of the factory building at Repslagargatan 15 may at first think that they have traveled back in time. Although the industrial environment is intact from the end of the 19th century, the looms are still in operation and textile art exhibitions are sometimes shown. This is a place where history meets the present.

A generational change is currently taking place in the silk factory.  In the fall of 2023, Almgren silk mill & museum will start the weaving residency, Almgren silk mill 3.0, in collaboration with the Academy of Crafts in Stockholm. For two years, three apprentices are given the opportunity to learn the entire production process from sketch to finished silk within the framework of Almgren's silk mill's business. Visitors are welcome to follow the work, both on site and via the website and social media.

Our goal is to have our own production of silk shawls and silk ribbons for sale in the silk factory shop. We will also continue with the production of silk fabrics based on historical models. Special orders are assessed individually. In addition to our own production, we also supply bands for fraternal societies and other associations.

The K.A. Almgren's Silk Factory & Museum Foundation has been the Royal Court supplier since 1844.

To set up a silk warp

In the film (without sound), you can see the silk factory's former weaver, Sonja Enbuske, set up a warp.

Other silk factories and silk museums

Some silk factories and silk museums in Europe, worth a visit:

Antico Setificio Fiorentino (Florens, Italy)

Fondazione Lisio (Florens, Italy)

The Humphries Weaving Company Ltd. (Sudbury, UK)

Macclesfield Silk Museum (Macclesfield, UK)

Maison des Canuts (Lyon, France)

Museo Didattico della Seta (Como, Italy)

Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua (Venezia, Italy)