Flax Linen Symposium in the USA

The New England Flax and Linen Symposium put on a couple of days where experts from around the world gathered in  Deerfield, Massachusetts for sessions and demoes covering all aspects of flax.  The areas covered included plant and environmental science, education, history, and craft. Participants included a professor of plant physiology and lacemaker; professional and amateur weavers, spinners, and dyers; a community agriculturist.

Leading the way, organizer & fiber artist Michelle Parrish of Amherst, Massachusetts has already explored various aspects of flax growing and processing, including an extensive field test of more than 30 types of flax at her own community garden.  This trend could continue in gardens throughout America, reviving an age old tradition which seems to have been replaced with less efficient crops like cotton.  We here at FlaxLinen.com can only hope!

NPR 's New Enland Public Radio's correspondent Carrie Healy does a fantastic field report which you can listen to here:

Also, here are some images from the 2 day gathering: