What’s Next for us; Wisconsin Linen Revival!
It’s a thrill to announce the formation of Wisconsin Linen Revival. Our goal is to restore and expand the cultivation and processing of flax for linen fiber in southern Wisconsin. Wisconsin Linen Revival is a collaboration between Leslie Schroeder and Karen Kendrick-Hands. Between us we have a diverse set of skills; Leslie has hands on experience in cottage scale fiber growing and processing, Karen has several published hand knitting designs and is a retired yarn store owner and attorney who has founded several cause-based organizations to create positive change. We both believe that linen is the most sustainable fiber of the future and see this as an element in diversifying Wisconsin’s ag economy. We have connected with inspiring leaders around North America doing this same foundational work to bring scaled flax to linen production back to their communities.
Visit and learn more about these progressive women-led organizations:
https://www.fibre-evolution.com/grow-bast-fiber.html
Get in touch with us at wisconsinlinenrevival@gmail.com
Winners of drawing!
All respondents who completed a survey were invited to enter the drawing. Congrats winners, we will be in touch soon to get these in the mail to you!
Winner of beaded applique flax flower by Daniel Hull: Jane Selegue
Winner of Mother of Purl’s three handspun skeins of yarn: Alina Goulding
Winner of Ani Weaver’s handwoven wool scarf with upcycled detailing: Bri Ruby
Learn more about flax the plant and processing to linen
- On growing, Wisconsin history: UW Extension
- History, environmental impact: Council of Fashion Designers of America
- Local organization offering seasonal classes on hand processing flax to linen: Low Tech Institute
- Local blog on the experience of processing flax: Victorian Tech Institute
Survey closed December 1st,
check back soon for results
We are so thrilled to have received hundreds of replies to the survey asking the question “If there was locally grown and processed linen- would you buy it?” Doing outreach for the survey was a rich and rewarding experience in making connections and community building. Check back soon for a compilation of info from the results. Why Flax?
Have you ever seen a flax plant? Here is a picture of one growing earlier this year in central Wisconsin with its lovely little blue flower!
Flax is a plant well suited to the growing conditions we have in our region and is a remarkably environmentally friendly plant. When flax is grown organically it is one of the most sustainable fibers you can use, needing very few inputs.
Delightfully our area has a small but functioning woolen economy, and we also have some leather and hide processing facilities. Growing flax to make linen offers another opportunity to diversify our local fiber mix with a product which offers different characteristics from wool or leather.
This work has been supported by a grant from the Willy Street Coop Community Reinvestment Fund
Connect with the maker of the survey at bastfibersurvey@gmail.com