The Magic of Linen: Flax Seed to Woven Cloth

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Heinrich’s passion for linen overflows every page of this practical
yet beautiful book. The author is an accomplished spinner, weaver, and
fabric designer who obviously loves to teach, to talk about her subject,
and to share knowledge and ideas with others. This book is largely
concerned with the chemistry and mechanics of linen, yet Heinrich’s
words flow with enough enthusiasm and energy that even technical
instructions become enjoyable reading, and the many excellent
illustrations lead the reader on from section to section.

A tremendous amount of research (gathered from around the world from
interviews, documents, and personal experimentation) has been organized
and presented in a logical, approachable manner. The book proceeds from
planting flax to harvesting and processing it; to spinning, dyeing, and
weaving linen; to finishing and designing with the cloth. Supplementary
sections explore the role of linen in various cultures and at various
times throughout history, with special chapters on Irish linen, linen in
Ancient Egypt, and today’s linen industry.

At each step of the process, from planting the seeds to weaving the
cloth, Heinrich provides instruction in enough detail that those with
basic knowledge of the process could use this as a how-to handbook. For
example, a person with no spinning experience would need additional
information, but the experienced wool or silk spinner would find enough
detail here to be able to make the transition to flax.

The Magic of Linen would be a valuable addition to any crafts library,
and practising artisans working with fibre should find it a useful
reference and compendium of how-to specifics.