Hi everyone, and thank you to Jen who first asked about what happened to fine threads, it is an interesting 'thread'...
I should admit that I immediately assumed the reference was to linen threads - which I know aren't made any more 'like they used to' - cotton and silk is available in v. fine grists, as Jean and David have pointed out. I have grown flax and prepared it for making into a textile - I got as far as spinning it, and made a twisted cord with the results - very strong. There was no longer the novelty of spinning my own linen. Very involved process, takes a long time over a year or so, and much longer if the requirements are for fine, fine threads - the stems are harvested before their pods open, becasue the fibre is softer (but because there are no seedpods for the next generation - these have to be monitored on other plants accordingly). I think there is confusion about the plant going extinct - it isn't, we still have it (unless all available flax seed has been genetically modified, perish the thought). These particular stems are 'watched' and the best of each step in the flax-to-linen process is set aside to make the best and finest threads..(ok, this is a simplification) - even to storing the dried stems in a cupboard for some years 'to cure' before they are turned into thread (or the proverbial gold). For reference, one particular booklet of interest would be Gordon, Beverly, The Final Steps: Traditional Methods and Contemporary Applications for Finishing Cloth by Hand Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1982 ISBN 0-934026-07-6 When I was googling for that particular title, I found a pdf here http://www.ienica.net/fibresseminar/vandam.pdf "Optimisation of Methods of Fibre Preparation from Agricultural Raw Materials" It isn't as dry to read as the title would suggest, and goes a lot into the linen process vis-a-vis present day methods. -- bye for now Bev in Sooke, BC (west coast of Canada) Cdn. floral bobbins www.woodhavenbobbins.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
