What detail stood out to you most about how linen is made?? (I'm always still weirded out by how much it looks like hair before it's woven! And how the fibers are snuggled inside the stalk is so cool!)
As a spinner who has spun flax, this was fun to watch. I have seen the whole hand processing of flax, and it's quite a process. Unfortunately, linen grown and processed in the US will be much more expensive than that grown overseas, but maybe that will change someday. I'd be excited to buy linen made in this country as well. I'm also a linen fanatic.
Loved this video! I quickly searched for a NH Fibershed and came away with the Northern New England Fibershed. University of NH also, thru its History Dept, has a Flax project. Just ordered my first packet of seeds! I have a farm with many fields to try out growing here. Thanks for the info!😊
I am a handweaver and I used to be able to get linen on spools for handweaving. It was grown and processed in Oregon. Many areas in the US have climates suitable for linen. One problem is the process requires a lot of water. Maybe modern linen processing factories use recycled water. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Like cotton and hemp the plant material that is removed is highly polluting. Just a thought. Also if you want to have a bit of fun, get a spinning wheel, and try you handspinning line linen.
Hi Charlie! I loved seeing the harvesting machinery and process. I googled plant shed to see what was happening in the UK. I currently live in London. “Shed” in the UK is a small outdoor wooden room traditionally to do out door things potting plants, storing tools repairing stuff. More currently it is a place of escape, lady shed, man cave or office and the scope of sheds here range from humble to grand. I will need to look further a field😂
Haha! Yeah, shed actually means the same thing here, too! I think it should work best if you type in "London Fibershed", with fibershed all one word-- I found this link, I think it is for your region! www.southeastenglandfibreshed.org/
Neat! I didn't know about the machinery invented for large scale growers abroad. Very cool that folks in PA got one to work with! Wishing them lots of luck and I am really looking forward to seeing the Fibershed/slow+local fiber movement grow!
Thank you...Got me thinking...North Dakota grows flax for oil and seed, wonder what the stalks are like and how it's harvested, could it be salvaged for tow linen????
Interesting! I honestly don't know the answer to that but am very curious to find out! I think the tow linen doesn't make for great fabric, but could be interesting for other textile arts I bet!
That was a very interesting sharing of the event you went to! You mentioned that they can only plant seeds that they buy, why can't they replant seeds that they grow? I'll have to look up in my area to see if there is anything with the fibershed.
The seed saving thing is SUPER interesting! I wish I went into it more in this vid but I couldn't fully remember the details... you should check out the documentary FOOD INC. The whole documentary is good, but about 1hr in, they start telling the story about how Monsanto has patents on all the seeds so that farmers aren't allowed to replant them. Here's a link to the documentary www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hfdhr
What detail stood out to you most about how linen is made?? (I'm always still weirded out by how much it looks like hair before it's woven! And how the fibers are snuggled inside the stalk is so cool!)
Linen is a magical material, it increases the affinity to Manu/Mana when worn. Many wizards love it.
As a spinner who has spun flax, this was fun to watch. I have seen the whole hand processing of flax, and it's quite a process. Unfortunately, linen grown and processed in the US will be much more expensive than that grown overseas, but maybe that will change someday. I'd be excited to buy linen made in this country as well. I'm also a linen fanatic.
Same! I think you're right about the prices. Very curious to see how it hits the market someday!
Loved this video! I quickly searched for a NH Fibershed and came away with the Northern New England Fibershed. University of NH also, thru its History Dept, has a Flax project. Just ordered my first packet of seeds! I have a farm with many fields to try out growing here. Thanks for the info!😊
I just ironed another 4 m of linen the other day, and I've bought so much this summer!
I am a handweaver and I used to be able to get linen on spools for handweaving. It was grown and processed in Oregon. Many areas in the US have climates suitable for linen. One problem is the process requires a lot of water. Maybe modern linen processing factories use recycled water. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Like cotton and hemp the plant material that is removed is highly polluting. Just a thought. Also if you want to have a bit of fun, get a spinning wheel, and try you handspinning line linen.
How interesting! Thanks for sharing your experience and all those knowledge tidbits.
I love working with linen. I am always looking for fabric that is made in the country I am visiting and I have not been able to find local linen!
Fascinating! I would pay more for US linen! Can’t wait!
Same!!
Chico Flax is in CA for anyone curious, they are currently trying to fundraise to buy the farm they have been renting.
Oooh thanks for the headsup! I'm going to check them out next!
Hi Charlie! I loved seeing the harvesting machinery and process. I googled plant shed to see what was happening in the UK. I currently live in London. “Shed” in the UK is a small outdoor wooden room traditionally to do out door things potting plants, storing tools repairing stuff. More currently it is a place of escape, lady shed, man cave or office and the scope of sheds here range from humble to grand. I will need to look further a field😂
Haha! Yeah, shed actually means the same thing here, too! I think it should work best if you type in "London Fibershed", with fibershed all one word-- I found this link, I think it is for your region! www.southeastenglandfibreshed.org/
Just wonderful!!
Neat! I didn't know about the machinery invented for large scale growers abroad. Very cool that folks in PA got one to work with! Wishing them lots of luck and I am really looking forward to seeing the Fibershed/slow+local fiber movement grow!
Thank you...Got me thinking...North Dakota grows flax for oil and seed, wonder what the stalks are like and how it's harvested, could it be salvaged for tow linen????
Interesting! I honestly don't know the answer to that but am very curious to find out! I think the tow linen doesn't make for great fabric, but could be interesting for other textile arts I bet!
Get out of town!!! I live in PA and never knew about PA Fiber Shed. This sounds terrific.
So glad I could turn you on to it!! They're doing cool stuff!
I'm becoming licensed for massage therapy, Trying so hard to find linen massage bed sheets with no luck! I just want to help people heal
That was a very interesting sharing of the event you went to! You mentioned that they can only plant seeds that they buy, why can't they replant seeds that they grow? I'll have to look up in my area to see if there is anything with the fibershed.
The seed saving thing is SUPER interesting! I wish I went into it more in this vid but I couldn't fully remember the details... you should check out the documentary FOOD INC. The whole documentary is good, but about 1hr in, they start telling the story about how Monsanto has patents on all the seeds so that farmers aren't allowed to replant them. Here's a link to the documentary www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hfdhr