Ways to move the linen project forward: February 26th, 2012

Brackets identify someone who has taken on that task.

(?) means no one has taken on that task yet.

Prepare to plant 2012 crop

• Order more seed (Beatrice, Billy, Brian) DONE
• Secure Elk Lake field (Billy) DONE
• Prepare seed spreader, compactor (Brian)
• Prepare tiller or tractor (Billy)

Ret remaining straw, during damp spring weather

• Manage retting for the linen project – (Beatrice)
• Co-ordinate with SHAS (Ken, Billy, Beatrice) DONE
• Find and collect unretted 2010 straw, Friday – (Billy, Beatrice)
• Contact Jesse Howardson to see what she has done (?)
• Mow and use north field at Red Damsel farm? (?)
• Ask Transition people to take over some retting (?)
• Find storage space for flax straw, before and after retting (Billy will contact Woodwynn)
• Make notes, take pictures (?)

Build processing equipment (ripplers, rotary hackles, spinning jenny)

• Contact Jennifer about Irish contact, also pins, rotary hackle (Billy)
• Follow up with Sophia in Manchester (Billy)
• Study process of spinning on spinning wheels, drop spindles (?)
• Contact Simon Cooper at Flaxland (?)
• Contact Joybilee Farm for leads (Billy)
• Visit processors on Saltspring and up-Island (?)
• Set up milling machine, make ripples, hackles (Billy, ?)
• Get and study “Spinning Mule” book (Billy)

Miscellaneous

• Write glossary of antique terms (?)
• Order in books
• Contact “fibershed” people on Saltspring Island (?)
• Start to learn about weaving methods specific to linen (Beatrice, ?)