Flax Weaving

WAYBACKWHEN: Original file: aa041497.htm
Of all natural fibers available, I think flax qualifies as truly a miracle fiber. It is environmentally friendly and is a renewable resource. All of the plant can be used. The seeds can be eaten or used to produce linseed oil. The fiber is processed into yarn and woven into cloth. The term “linen” is used for products that have been made from flax fiber such as linen fabric or tablecloths.

Flax Drying

Flax has been grown and used for cloth since 8000 B.C. Textiles found with the
Dead Sea scrolls were identified as being linen (flax).

The linen textiles found in the Qumran Cave 1 in 1949 were used as scroll wrappers, protective covers for jars and linen cord.

Flax growing was an important industry in Flanders for many centuries until the cotton industry and mechanization provided competition.

Flax is still grown in many parts of the world, such as Ireland, western Europe and Russia.

Textiles: Qumran Caves
Photos of linen cloth found in the Qumran Caves, that are thought to be wrappers for some of the Dead Sea scrolls.

From Flower to Textile
The Libeco site describes the process of turning the flax plant into linen fabric.

Irish Linen
Irish spinners and weavers create delicately woven cloth in intricate designs.

fibrex Quebec

fibrex Quebec is currently the only textile flax fiber mill in North America. The flax crop is harvested in August using a flax puller, and left to ret in the field for 10 – 14 days. It is then turned and left for another few weeks. The fiber is then baled and sent to the mill where it is processing with a Belgian-made flax scrutching line. This crushed the plants, removing the woody part and strips the long bast fibers. fiberx is currently working with the Canadian and US textile industry to develop linen and hemp textiles.

Flax Folklore

The Flax Council of Canada presents some interesting uses for flax.

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Part 2 – Growing and Processing Flax
After harvesting, the flax fiber must go through several processes before it is transformed into the cloth that graces your dinner table.