FLAX: a million miles away from fast fashion

FLAX is a global plant-based fibre with a long history, cultivated in order to make linen cloth. There is evidence from 36,000 years ago of processed flax fibres, found in a cave in Georgia in the Caucasus mountains.

Flax has a history in Wales too, with traces of flax and linen production in place names like Llinegr Hill in Flintshire or Arddlin in Powys.

Industrialisation has made Flax production uneconomic so it has been abandoned in many places. However there is growing interest in flax through movements like Fibreshed, the Circular Economy and Berta’s Flax.

There are community-based Flax projects popping up all over the world. You can start by growing your own square metre of flax, which can then be processed into cloth. Some of the flax we are using at Tecstiliau has been grown at local farm Tyddyn Teg, which is just around the corner.

Tecstiliau’s flax expert Rosie Green has a vision for North Wales, “I want to see more community projects here supporting flax growing and processing. I would love to see children learn about this in school."

"This fibre is eons old, we've always used it for making fabric, it's land-based, it's accessible and small scale. It’s a great way to learn about textiles, a million miles away from fast fashion!"

“I want people to remember that textiles can be grown. They're a living part of our civilization and our culture. We can grow and make our own cloth!”

Rosie’s next INTRODUCTION TO FLAX workshop is Tuesday 7th October here at Tecstiliau in Bethel.

“Doing a workshop together with other people is fun, it's like old-fashioned harvesting where you are doing it together, making something from scratch.

“When you make something from the beginning, from fibre to finished article, it's so rewarding. It takes time rather than money. You make something that’s special and of high quality. You become part of the circular economy.”

What you get out of this workshop is the knowledge and skills to be able to start on your own journey with flax. You experience the whole process from turning unprocessed stems into linen thread, so you can do it yourself or with a group.

Find out about all our current workshops here.