Description

This is a comprehensive introduction to flax and other fibre plants that can be grown or foraged in the UK and the skills needed to turn them into usable thread or stitched containers.
During the day we will:

• look at growing flax and discuss sowing, caring for and harvesting on a small scale.
• We will also consider other fibre plants that can be grown in the UK. try a selection of foraged materials including nettle, lime bast and red cedar that are suitable for making cordage or small stitched baskets and containers.
• Discuss and look at examples of different retting methods for obtaining fibres from flax, nettle and hemp.
• Have a go at hand processing retted flax fibres (breaking, scutching and hackling) to obtain both line and tow fibres for spinning.
• Dress a distaff and try spinning flax thread on a drop spindle.

We will spend the day outdoors (weather permitting) in and around the dye garden, at a beautiful location very near the River Thames. We also have a warmer indoor workshop space and marquee in case of inclement weather. We will supply a kettle or urn of hot water, some nibbles and all the necessaries for making tea, coffee and hot drinks but please bring your own packed lunch.

Participants will be limited to 10.

The cost for the day is £100 (we are able to offer one concessionary significantly reduced price place for each workshop, (please Contact Us  about this)