Includes bibliographical references (pages 225-236) and index.
Contents:
The flax plant -- In the beginning : flax in the Middle East and Europe -- Flax in America -- Planting and harvesting -- Rippling, threshing, and retting -- Flax tools -- Breaking, scutching, and combing -- Spinning -- Bleaching and dyeing -- Weaving and knitting -- Making flax collectibles -- Educational flax projects for school and home-school -- Collecting flax tools and spinning wheels -- Collecting linens and antique clothing and how to care for them -- Other uses for flax -- Flax and food -- Let's sleep! Preparing a rope bed -- A flax potpourri -- Flax in the twenty-first century.
Summary:
Learn the fascinating story of the flax to linen process in history, legend, song, crafts, lesson plans, and recipes. With 414 images, this comprehensive book dates back thousands of years, from how flax was cultivated in the Middle East and Europe, its beginnings in America, to its use in the twenty-first century. Guidelines for planting, harvesting, breaking, spinning, weaving, and other processes provided. If you're a collector, flax tools, spinning wheels, and flax-made antique fabrics and linen make great collectibles. Make a rope bed, a linseed oil lamp, and even bake buttermilk biscuits with flaxseed. Discover the many great uses of this plant and the role it played throughout the world. This is a great resource for history buffs, collectors, educators, and planters.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.