Flax is considered one of the oldest know fibers. Flax seeds have been found in Greece that
date back to 6,000 B.C. Preparation of fibers and spinning have been found in Egyptian tombs
and the Old Testament frequently mentions flax. 
   Flax fiber is found in the stem of the annual plant which grows in temperate and subtropical
regions of the world. It is a member of the bast fiber family. It is a tall, grain like plant that bears
little blue flowers. The fibers have a high wax content which gives linen fabric a sheen.
   The flax fiber is in between the outer bark and the woody section of the stem. To get at this
fiber the it is necessary to ret or rot the outer core by leaving the open bunches out on grass or
oat stubble for a couple of weeks. After retting the flax is then broken or scutched, which
removes the outer straw. The final step is to comb the flax to separate the long and short fibers.
Many sizes of combs ( heckles) are used to refine the fibers. 
   The fibers that have been combed are called line. The line is long and usually spun from a
distaff. The shorter coarser fibers left from the combing are called tow and this can be carded or
combed into slivers. It is only when flax has been spun does it become linen.
   Flax should be spun with a left hand twist “s” as this is the natural twist in the fiber. To keep
the single from becoming hairy dip you finger tips in water or a flax dressing and smooth the
single, this is called wet spun. Flax fibers are actually stronger when wet and the smoothing of
the single with water during spinning will heighten the luster.

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#873445811 RT0001
$4.50/50gms

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