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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1999-02 > 0918517015


From: Edward Andrews <>
Subject: Re: Flax weaving - 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 23:36:55 +0000


Flax weaving - 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH

Flax weaving - 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH
Flax weaving - 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH
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Patricia Gregg wrote:
>
> Flax weaving - 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH
>
> I know that it was this group of emigrants that introduced linen weaving
> to New England. It soon became popular with the
> ladies in Boston. What I do not understand it the process itself.
> Starting with the growing the flax, right up to the
> gorgeous material. Can anyone help me understand the process. How is it
> done?

1. grow flax.
2 pull it out of the ground so that the fibers are long..
3 throw it in a local pond until it begins to stink,
4 beat the hell out of it to loosen the woody bits from the fiber
(Flax).
5 Spin the flax into thread.
6 weave the thread into a cloth.
7 Leave out in the rain and the sun for a few months so that it turns
white form its original bland colour
8 Beat the material with special hammers so that it is shiny and hard.
9 Cut to size and stitch.

> What is a bleacher of cotton,
One who is involved in the (Chemical?) bleaching of cotton. I.e. making
it white.

a linen draper,
One who is engaged in the sale of linen - I think you call it a dry
goods store.

a tailor.
Someone, usually male, who cuts cloth and makes it into clothes,
traditionally bespoke.

Are they the
> same?
No.
Edward Andrews
--
St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland
Visit our Web site
http://www.btinternet.com/~stnicholas.buccleuch/index.ht

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