Wednesday 8 June 2022, Linen

with John Ennis, Su Mason, Flaxland, European Confederation of Flax & Hemp and The Linen Project

Linen, made from the flax plant, has a history that extends into antiquity. Mummies wrapped in linen shrouds have been discovered in Egyptian tombs dated from more than 5,000 years ago. The Bible references this fibre and its cloth as a noble and valuable product, andlinen production is depicted in wall drawings from 2,000 years ago. A strong and durable cloth, linen has been used in a multitude of ways–from clothing and furnishings to canvases, lace and ropes. More recently, the quality of linen has been used for insulation and the automotive industry. Although easily creased, linen's silky surface matures as it is worn. Few other fabrics improve with time, meaning that linen can be reused, revived and reworked, as it often was throughout history.

This evening's talk on linen brings together linen producers, antique linen dealers, curators and linen experts to tell the story of linen and the future of flax as an environmentally and sustainable fibre. Speakers include; John Ennis of Our Linen Stories, Su Mason, Flaxland, European Confederation of Flax & Hemp and The Linen Project.