Story of Linen is a project that explores the full journey of flax — from the seed, through all traditional processing steps, to the final fabric. It started as my master’s thesis in 2019, inspired by my great-grandmother, who used to grow and process flax by hand next to our family home. Her work showed me how deeply we can value textiles when we know their origin.
As a designer, I wanted to understand what it truly takes to make fabric — not just conceptually, but physically. I began growing flax myself and experimenting with breaking, scutching, spinning and weaving. I also designed modern tools for these traditional techniques, making the process more accessible.
The goal of Story of Linen is to reconnect people with the reality behind our clothes. When we experience how much time and effort it takes to turn a plant into a textile, our view on fashion changes. We start to care more, consume less, and appreciate what we wear.
This is not about nostalgia. It’s about learning by doing. About slowing down and making better choices.
Inspiration
The Story of Flax was created as my master thesis in 2019, inspired by my great-grandmother who grew and processed flax for home textiles and folk costumes. Her handmade pieces are still with us today.
I realized how differently we treat these items compared to fast fashion. The difference is that we know the maker and understand the time and care behind the product. We form a relationship with what we have seen produced. And that's why, more than 50 years later, we still appreciate her work.
How to grow flax?
Would you like to try growing flax yourself? Here you will find a simple how-to guide.