Making flax fibre
Flax is a plant whose fibre is inside its stalk. A machine cuts the ripe flax and gathers the stalks. At the factory the hard, woody part of the stalk is broken off and raw fibre is left. This fibre is combed many times, giving smooth fibres up to half a metre long. The fibres are drawn out thinner to make “raw yarn” (xom ip), which is wound on a bobbin. The raw yarn is boiled, bleached or dyed, then drawn out again in water to become strong spun thread. Cloth is woven from this thread.
You need: 2 colours of paper, scissors, ruler, pencil, glue. Steps: 1) Cut the first sheet lengthwise every 2 cm, stopping 2 cm before the edge: these are the long threads. 2) Cut 2 cm wide strips from the second sheet: these are the crosswise threads. 3) Weave a strip over, under, over, under the long threads; weave the next strip in the opposite order. 4) Push the strips together and glue the ends: your “cloth” is ready. Safety: keep your free hand away from the line of cutting and stay seated while cutting.