Flax to Fiber
One of my many garden goals for the new year is attempting to create fiber from flax…fiber as in thread, string, or whatever I can manage. I was inspired to explore this idea after reading The Golden Thread, How Fabric Changed History by Clair St. Kasia
Humans have been making fiber from flax for thousands of years. But I’ve always wondered how the lovely blue flowering flax in my garden could be turned into fabric. It’s wispy and only a foot tall. It produces and abundance of flax seeds which can be used in the kitchen, but I didn’t see how it could manifest as fabric. Then I learned there are specific varieties of flax that work best for this. (I should have figured that out myself.) They are taller for one thing and have wider stalks. The fabric variety is not typically found in seed catalogs. So I tracked some down from a specialty company and my seeds have already arrived. We are just waiting for spring.
The reason I think my project may be unlikely is that it’s not an easy process. It’s labor intensive and time sensitive. Flax plants must be pulled from the ground at the right time and soaked in water until they ferment. But not too much or the fibers will be ruined. Working a full time job creates some challenges with watching the process carefully, however I’m determined to try.
Another step involves beating the soaked stems to separate the fiber from the stalk. And that’s just the beginning. It still needs to be cleaned and spun. I’ll be relying on some YouTube videos of the process and the wisdom of my friend Cheryl who has taken an entire workshop on turning flax to fiber.
What’s the Point?
I don’t know if I’ll be successful. Even if I am, my backyard garden will only produce a small amount of fiber. I won’t be making my own clothes anytime soon. So what’s the point? It’s about touching this process, cultivating a deeper connection with a plant that has provided many gifts to humans. And it is a connection to our ancestors who tended plants by hand, spending countless hours to make fiber and clothing for themselves. It wasn’t a garden project for them. It was a necessity. It’s humbling to contemplate and to consider the many other things we take for granted. Success isn’t my main goal, however I do hope I can pull it off and create fiber. I will update my progress in this blog.
Continue the Flax Adventure Here.
I ,too, love that connection to ancestors and knowing basic skills needed to live. Learning food gathering, preparing and preserving, sewing, dyeing and embellishment, fabric and paper making, simple carpentry connects us not only to ancestors but the Earth and how much she provides us. There is a satisfaction in trying a new skill and sharing the fruits of that learning. I am looking forward to following your progress. 💚
Susan, Yes! there is a satisfaction in knowing how, you are right! I don’t know how this will turn out but it will be fun either way.