Processing of Flax into Linen in the 18th Century

Settlers who came to Kentucky in the 18th Century had to provide their own clothing, some of which was linen. The source of linen is the plant flax which has been grown for thousands of years. The production of linen from flax is a year round process. Flax is sown in April in Kentucky and most casual observers would consider it just a "weed". Using methods that go back millennia, the settlers were able to turn that "weed" into fine linen fiber, spin, it, and weave it into the fabric they used for all sorts of 18th century clothing for men, women, and children. The unique characteristics of linen make it a desirable fabric to this day. Samples of flax at its various stages during processing into linen are provided along with live demonstrations of the tools and equipment employed in the processing.