Hello Devon - In 1999, I attended my first (and, to date, only...) IOLI Convention, where one of the highlights was a presentation by "The Lares" - a husband and wife team who presented "The Story of Flax". Unfortunately, the program for the Convention does not provide any more information about them, and all I can tell you is that they were extremely well-informed on their subject of the growing, harvesting, retting, etc., etc., of linen. They wore clothes which they had produced from seed - through all stages of production, and had antique tools with which they demonstrated some of the steps. And they were very clear in their explanation of why the linen we are able to buy today is so much heavier than that available 150 years ago.
I won't try to recall the details... but just want to toss this information out as a possible source for you. If I remember correctly, they live in Pennsylvania - but I could be wrong about that!! I suggest that you contact someone in the Chesapeake Region Lace Guild for more information. Clay Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA Devon wrote... > This is very interesting information. Do you have a book that you got this > information from that one could cite if one were trying to footnote it. > (Although I enjoy the challenge of footnoting in the new era, a citation to an > internet list and Alice in Oregon might draw raised eyebrows in some circles.) > Devon - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
