Seren Studio

After years of producing linen garments, I took the opportunity to spend a sunny day at @growwilderawt in North Bristol with the @flaxlanduk team and learn more about the raw material process.

Simon from @flaxlanduk is a very interesting man; who talked us through every process from growing, harvesting, retting, scuthing, hackling, dressing a distaff, spinning, weaving & finally wearing. 

Aside from the processes we discussed the dietary benefits of Omega 3 from milled flax seed and the history of Linen which was grown in the UK for clothing and for sail cloth which was handwoven.

The UK was a leader in linen production which peaked in the 1940’s when cotton took over as it could be spun more easily using wool machinery. The Linen growing industry in Ireland finished in the 1980’s and it is only woven there now.

There is change on the horizon though with climate change and slow fashion – this year 1000acres of Flax is being sown in Suffolk and then the fibre will be taken to France to be processed.

Thanks to Simon for a very interesting day, reminding me of my love of textiles and how intertwined farming and textiles truly are, something we often forget.