Flax Processing

My own interest in flax..... how it came about

flax growing at Landis Valley in PA

As a child on a visit to Pennsylvania I saw the tools used in processing flax straw to remove the outer straw so the flax could then be spun into linen. I was fascinated by the process, not so much the spinning part, but the wicked looking tools and the names for those tools.

I began collecting tools about 6 years ago and now have a wonderful set of working flax tools and have been learning about processing flax ever since. This has proved to be one of my most popular school programs and I am learning more about how to work the flax and prepare it for spinning. This makes me a "flax dresser" to use the old term.

Terms & Tools:

Brake -- a wooden stand with a moveable blade to begin breaking down the flax straw. Mine is a small portable one, some are quite large with 2-3 blades.

Scutching knife -- Scutching comes next and also further breaks down the flax straw and helps remove or loosten the boon (outer fibers).

Hetchel/hackle/hatchel -- Various spelling of this fierce looking tool. Spikes set in a board so that as you draw the flax through the bits of straw and shorter pieces of flax (tow) come off. This leaves the long silky fibers for spinning.

Tow -- Shorter pieces of flax which may be saved and have many uses. Starting fires, spinning and weaving into a rough cloth, stuffing cushions and also used to clean out guns as it absorts dirt and moisture from the barrel of the gun.

Here are some of my tools, I especially love my old scutching knife. It fits the hand so well and is decorated with small circular designs. It is of scandinavian origin.

Growing Flax -- Begin by planting flax closely so that it will grow straight reeds without too many side stems. Flax will mature in about 100 days -- pull it up by the roots and dry it. Then using a rippling ocmb remove the seed pods and save them for next years planting. The flax will then be retted in water, either in a pond or slow moving stream (or a tub on your porch) Flax can also be "dew retted" which means keeping it slights damp for several weeks. Usually I find retting 8-12 day depending on how hot the weather is works best for me. Next the flax must be dried, but now it should be fall and you can begin to process it through the steps listed above.

Reenactors are people who never tired of playing dress-up!