I've been thinking about growing Flax for the edible seeds and today, at the Seed Swap I acquired some Flax Seeds. Interestingly, there is a local project to grow Flax to make Linen and the seeds that I have are from this project. I didn't know there was such a project but I'm intrigued now. If I can grow it, harvest the seeds and donate the plants for processing I will. There's no hope of me doing the processing! But I'll be keeping watch on how the Project gets on.
More info on their Blog at
https://welshlinen.com/home/
I watched a YouTube video on turning flax into linen. It was fascinating but a very long process.
I think growing flax might be on the same line as growing lentils.
Another plant that has been used for thousands of years by humans and there predecessors.
This is the Group that gave me the flax seeds. I think I'd be good at "Heckling"...........and "spinning a yarn".
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Llieinwe - Flax to Linen exhibition is now up at Waterloo Tea in Whitchurch Road, Cardiff. Produced by the Making n Mending Club who meet at Global Gardens project.
You can see the whole process of making linen from flax, which has been grown by the group at the gardens and St Fagan’s museum of Welsh Life. We’ve been growing flax and learning to make this beautiful fibre for three years and are about to plant our fourth season. There’s our first little piece of hand spun, hand woven linen on display made by member Amber, we are so grateful! Also showing beautiful embroidery, naturally dyed linen cloth and lino prints (lino is made from flax seed oil!)
On Easter Monday, we’ll be showing flax and the process at the museum, 11-3 in Kennixton barn. Call in and have a go at rippling, heckling and spinning! We’ll have seed you can take away to join in with growing and making local, sustainable fibre.