Meetings

June 2026: Sarah Berry and Betty Kirk, “Flax Growing and Processing in Chicago”

illinoisprairieweavers

Guild members Sarah Berry and Betty Kirk shared their and experiences with growing flax for fiber in the Chicago area. Betty grew flax in the late 80s and 90s, and Sarah grew it for the first time in 2025. They discussed growing, processing, spinning, and weaving the fiber as well as touching on the history and growing movement to use more of this incredible fiber. They also brought tools and demonstrated the steps in processing the fiber to make it ready for spinning, and Sarah demonstrated spinning flax for weaving into linen.

Click on any image to launch slideshow view and read descriptions.

Room of people sitting at round tables in front of a projection screen while two women at the front of the room discuss the slide being displayed.
Sarah and Betty discuss planting considerations for flax.
Two women standing by a projection screen at the front of the room discuss the slide being displayed.
Sarah and Betty talk about harvesting flax.
Woman standing at a table using a wooden implement to process flax.
Sarah demonstrates breaking the flax after it has been retted and dried.
Woman standing by a tall wooden stand using a wooden tool to scrape off loose pieces of flax.
Sarah demonstrates scutching flax after breaking it, to remove the core or shives.
Woman standing at a table, drawing flax through a spikey implement to reveal spinnable flax fiber.
Betty demonstrates fine hackling of the flax to reveal the fiber that will be spun.
Woman standing at a table, drawing flax through a spikey implement to reveal spinnable flax fiber.
Betty continues to draw the flax through the fine hackle to separate the long, spinnable fibers from the shorter fibers that aren’t suitable for spinning.