25 Jul New Textiles: A flax to textiles partnership.

July 25, 2023 – Author Patricia Bishop

In May of 2022 I (Patricia) contacted Jennifer at NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) asking if there was a possible way to do a small project with a large box of linen and wool yarn that we had at the spinning mill.  It had been since 2018, when we offered our CSL (community shared linen), that we had any textiles on offer (wait, except for the lovely linen/cotton/hemp blend tea towels we have made by Pia (available year round). It felt like it was time to explore possibilities again and put ourselves out on a collaborative limb.  The results were as always, incredibly beautiful .

In 2018  for our CSL (community shared linen) we processed flax, designed and spun yarn, designed and wove bolts of fabric, and designed, cut and sewed textiles. We learned during this time that to do this, all of these steps, from seed to finished product, at very small scale, where everyone in the value chain is fairly compensated for their skill, is rewarding, beautiful and expensive. It was a hard experience to confront the cost realities of 2018, but I believe deeply in the possibilities for a local textile community so went for it again.

Jennifer Green knew of three design and weaving graduates that were working to established themselves and had launched small businesses. We invited them together to share in a design challenge. They accepted. Our parameters were that we wanted to create a functional textile that would be timeless, using the yarns available in the large box.

From the yarns in the box weavers Juliana, Dakota and Hannah created The TapRoot Tote, The Flax Field Rug and The TapRoot Placemat.

It has been nearly one year since we took these videos and photos on the day the weavers delivered their precious works of art.  Once I priced each item to include the cost of the yarn, the design, weaving and finishing cost and a mark-up (as is

customary and needed) I chickened out and could not get them posted or put for sale. I froze. I have been holding these beautiful rugs, totes and placemats. It is time to share our beautiful story of a vision,  of hard work, of value, of beauty. It is time to share these textiles with you.

I am encouraged, excited and inspired by these artists. Many thanks also for your encouragement and support. Enjoy these rare gems. They are available for sale in our TapRoot Fibre shop.

Gratitude to our partner weavers:

Hannah Paton, Lighthouse Fibre Studio @lighthousefibrestudio

Juliana Naccarato, Iliffe @iliffe_

Dakota Indigo Burpee, Dakota Indigo @dakotaindigo

Jennifer Green, NSCAD, @flaxmobile

Here are links to the videos we took explaining our collaboration, the process and thoughts on local textiles.