Special thanks to flaxland for being our flax gurus and sharing their expertise, there is a wealth of info about all things flax on their website.
SOW SEW
The Sow Sew project has used a brownfield site in Manchester to grow flax, to create an organic local sustainable material and from this learning we aim to develop flax growing in the North West.
Now that we have safely stored our 2011 flax harvest, for use in early 2012 Sow Sew is currently looking for more more 'Meanwhile' plots of land around Manchester. We would like to make more use of redundant space, making Manchester greener and more bio-diverse whilst allowing the local community to get their hands dirty if they'd like!
Sow Sew continues to spread our enthusiasm for all things flax by holding workshops on the practicalities of growing flax, its uses and benefits. So far we've worked with local school children, growers, fabric enthusiasts and even run a workshop at the Permaculture Association's AGM.
If you are interested in working with a portion of the flax harvest please fill in our expression of interest form. The flax will be available in both its raw format and also made into thread or material. We aim to exhibit the best pieces in 2012. With all the multitude of uses of flax the only limit is your imagination.
-
Planting
-
Harvesting
-
Retting
-
Laying Out
-
Drying
-
Scrutching
-
Heckling
-
Spinning
-
Uses
FLAX VIDEOS!
LINKS
The flax wikepedia page is full of useful info and references
Founded in 1928, the Irish Linen Guild is the official promotional organization of the Irish Linen industry.
A site all about spinning natural fibres with useful links to buy spinning wheels etc.
This site has lots of info on what's being made from flax in Europe, at first glance it looks as though the whole website is in french but don't be put off, the majority of writing has english translation below.
WHY GROW FLAX
- You can grow flax organically in the North West.
- Flax grows on land that isn't overly fertile, much like wild flowers, so it is a great way to use land you'd otherwise not know what do with.
- Flax is a viable alternative to cotton. It's estimated cotton accounts for 16-24% of the world use of insecticides, but cotton is only grown on 2.5% of the world's cultivated land. Flax as an organic local alternative is much less environmentally detrimental.
- Locally grown flax will decrease in Co2 emissions due to decreased transportation.
- Flax is is strong enough to be used as a natural alternative to fibreglass.
- Flax is versatile and all of the plant can be used.
- Flax can be made into: clothing; lace; bed linen; tennis rackets; bike frames; bank notes; rolling papers; writing paper; building insulation; fishing nets; rope; boats; cat litter; compost; Omega 3&6 rich supplement; resin; oil for wood treatment.... the list goes on.
