Karla’s knowledge of plant science and her deep appreciation of the crafts of hand spinning and weaving have led her on a fascinating fibre journey. She is especially captivated by the ancient human endeavour of growing flax, extracting the fibres, and turning them into linen cloth. Or, as the fairy tales would have us believe, turning straw into gold. She believes the biological processes involved are magical, the technical details are intricate, and the influence on humanity is epic. The historical socio-economic importance of flax is undeniable, but is it relevant and affordable in our contemporary world? This is a question worth considering, and one that Karla stays awake pondering.
HANDCRAFTING LINEN
2024 Comox Valley Collective Spring
LIVING FROM LINEN I’m Karla, and I create linen. That’s right, I start with a handful of unassuming flax seeds and end up with a stash of linen cloth. It’s […]
Words by Karla SandwithPhotos by Kareen Sanderson