Historic New England textile mill
1897

Est. 1897

Our Story

Over a century of American craftsmanship — and we're just getting started.

Historic sewing factory workers, early 1900s
1897

Where It All Began

A Pioneer Born in Massachusetts

William E. Wright & Sons was founded in Massachusetts in 1897 by William E. Wright — a pioneer manufacturer of bias fold tape and a man passionate about textiles. Before launching his business, Wright had been making his livelihood selling fabric door to door. Recognizing his customers' needs, he devised a way to package strips of fabric folded over paperboard.

His inventiveness was met with immediate success. Wrights became the largest and earliest manufacturer of packaged bias tape in America. During its early years, the company specialized in trimmings and textiles — maintaining a shop in New York City supplying ribbons, silks, cottons, linens, and wools — while its core specialty in bias tapes and blanket bindings grew to reach every sewing outlet throughout the U.S.

1897

A Century of Craft

The Name Every Sewer Knew

To support their products and educate consumers, William E. Wright began publishing informational pamphlets — a move that, combined with premium quality goods, built a loyal client base and major distribution in every sewing outlet throughout the U.S. After World War I, Wrights acquired colorfast German dyes and became the first company to offer a printed guarantee on each package that colors would not bleed. Through the 1920s and 1930s, packaged bias tape became a staple for beloved quilt patterns like Grandmother's Flower Garden, and Wrights was prominently featured in the Sears catalog, reaching millions of American homes.

127+

Years of Heritage

50+

Years of New Ownership Experience

First

to Guarantee Colorfast Dyes

Millions

of Makers Served

1897

Key Milestones

128 Years in the Making

1897

Born in Massachusetts

William E. Wright founds the company in Massachusetts after recognizing his door-to-door fabric customers' needs. He devises a way to package strips of fabric folded over paperboard — and becomes the largest, earliest manufacturer of packaged bias tape in America.

Early 1900s

Wm. E. Wright & Sons

The company is formally incorporated as a family business, expanding its reach and cementing its reputation for quality across the country.

1917

Teaching America to Sew

Wrights begins publishing its highly popular sewing pamphlets and booklets — teaching home sewers decorative and practical ways to use bias tape.

Post-WWI

A First in the Industry

Wrights acquires colorfast German dyes and becomes the first company to offer a printed guarantee on each package that colors would not bleed.

1920s–1930s

In Every American Home

Packaged bias tape becomes a staple for geometric quilt patterns like Grandmother's Flower Garden. Wrights is featured prominently in the Sears catalog.

1985–2017

Changing Hands

The family business passes through Newell Company, Conso International (Simplicity Pattern), and CSS Industries. The brand endures through every transition.

2025

Reborn. Back in Massachusetts.

Following the bankruptcy of IG Design Group Americas, industry veterans acquire Wrights and bring it back to Massachusetts — stronger than ever.

A New Chapter

Reborn. Back in Massachusetts.

From the mid-1980s through 2017, Wrights passed through several corporate hands — Newell Company, Conso International (owners of Simplicity Pattern), and CSS Industries. Through every transition, the brand endured because the product was simply irreplaceable.

In 2025, the parent company IG Design Group Americas filed for bankruptcy. The legendary Wrights brand faced being wound down forever. But just before that could happen, a group of industry veterans — people who had spent their careers in the bias tape and sewing notions business — stepped in.

They acquired Wrights and brought it back to where it belongs: Massachusetts. Back to its roots. Back to the community that built it. And back to the millions of makers who never stopped believing in it. The new story begins now.

Modern Wrights sewing notions workshop
Back in Massachusetts

What We Stand For

The Wrights Promise

Uncompromising Quality

Every product that carries the Wrights name is held to the same standard that defined 1897. If it doesn't meet that bar, it doesn't ship.

Made in North America

We manufacture right here in North America. That means jobs, accountability, and a product you can trust from raw material to finished spool.

For the Maker Community

Sewers, quilters, crafters — this brand was built for you and by people who understand your craft. That will never change.

Honoring the Legacy

We carry 127 years of history with pride. Every decision we make is guided by respect for the makers who came before and the ones who will come after.

The Legacy Continues

Explore our full line of bias tape, blanket binding, rick rack, and more — crafted with the same dedication that has defined Wrights since 1897.

Wrights

A legacy of American craftsmanship, reborn. Quality sewing notions made in North America since 1897.

Est. 1897 · West Warren, Massachusetts

Get in Touch

Wholesale inquiries, press, and general questions welcome.

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Made in North America

Proudly serving the sewing & quilting community

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