Wool was spun on spinning wheels until in to the late 18th century, when spinning mills were built around Kidderminster, and later in the town itself. It was women's work, and done at home. At the beginning of the 18th century, the population of Kidderminster was nearly 4,000 with 500 looms (2021 Census population was 57,553). Employers were numerous but worked on a small scale.
In 1677, only one man owned looms (71), most men employed only a few women, and those often his family or known to him personally. There was a decline in the cloth trade around 1730, but a recovery later for Nash, in 1772 gives the following persons occupied:
'Spinning yarn for carpets, 1600. Dying and other processes, 1,400. Silk and Worsted weaving, 5,200. Preparing yarn for Gloster, 5,000. With 11 master carpet weavers, and 29 master silk & worst weavers'.
They made woolens, broad cloths, tapestries, friezes. cheyneys and ratteens, crepes, poplins, prunellas, silks, rich brocades, quilted stuff, bombazines and finally carpets.
