Growing Textiles NZ

End of season update

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 22:14:15 -0800

It feels too soon to be writing this but, here we are! The poplars are raining their yellow leaves, mornings are full of dew and the quice is almost ready for harvest.

In the hopes of creating a new routine, here's the first seasonal update since this project was started in 2023! It has been an amazing 2 years of growth, for both me & my plants, experiencing grief, loss, community and overwhelm with a smattering of confidence, especially in this last season.

The most rewarding aspect has been the feeling of community, something I never knew & resolved to do without. However, it found me and embraced me with the warmest hug. To everyone who has connected with me & my plants this year, thank you. I now understand that resillience doesn't mean to charge ahead on my own, but to know who to lean on and when.

Nga mihi nui

Linen flax

The 2024/25 growing season began mid-September with plowing of the linen field, an area that has been unfarmed for around 5 years. Multiple passes on the tractor did almost nothing (ok, maybe a smidge but we'll never know) to quell the onslaught of weeds. This didn't stop the linen from powering skywards! Thanks to the deluge of rain we received over Christmas, the linen grew fantastically with no input from me.

For those interested in the numbers, I planted on the 11th Nov '24, approx 20kg of seed at a desity of 2,200 seed p/m2 offering roughly 1,600m2 of the oilseed cultivar of linseed supplied by Midlands seeds.

We begun harvest as soon as day 79! After a few days of heavy rain, the weeds couldn't hold themselves & the linen up any loger, so we picked up the fallen soldiers and laid them to dry in the drying shed. Thus began our month-long harvest session!

Thanks to a multitude of helpers, we've harvested more this year than we managed last year & I'm so grateful!! Thank you Margot, Ari,...Read More

The soil addresses us as one

Fri, 23 May 2025 23:02:10 -0700

Please join us in celebrtaing a coming together of amazing artists and myself, a farmer of natural resources, as we open our exhibiotion, The Soil Addresses Us As One.

Tuesday 27th May 2025 at 6pm at Te Ara Ātea, Rolleston. Initiated & hosted by curater, Erin Lee of Te Ara Ātea in Rolleston, to showcase the interconnectedness of textiles, craft and the soil.

Featuring multi-dicipline artist Steven Junil Park (6x4 online), textile artist Georgina May Young and loom weaver, Christine Brimer (Niche Textiles). These three amazing people have told their stories about what it means to be able to connect with their resources directly from our own whenua.

As presented at the annual Costume & Textiles Association of NZ symposium in Dunedin mere weeks ago, The Soil Addresses Us As One is a beautiful story of growth, discovery, connection, regeneration and hope.

Steven Junil Park - 6x4

Indigo dyed & embroidered kid leather gloves, beads made from "waste" indigo pulp, baskets woven of indigo stems holding linen straw & dried indigo leaves and beautifully hand crafted boxwood bowl holding linseed/ Steven has also created a video of this previous season for the projection wall which spans the ground floor of the building - do come and see it!

Growing japanese indigo

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:33:40 -0700

Hi! I'm Gina, an organic fibre and dye farmer - Welcome to my blog!

I'm excited to share my journey of growing Japanese indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) over the 2023/24 season in Lincoln, Canterbury. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, cultivating this beautiful dye plant at home can be a rewarding experience.

In this post, I'll walk you through each step of the process—from sowing seeds and transplanting, to nurturing your plants and harvesting your abundant foliage. I'll also share tips and insights from my personal experience, based on both organic farming principles and the comprehensive Fibershed indigo report.

If you're looking for Japanese indigo seed, you may still be able to find some at my shop here.

Now, let's dive in and discover how you can grow Japanese indigo in your own backyard!

Sowing seed

One thing to note before we get started is that this plant is very forgiving! If something in my tips doesn't work for you, feel free to adapt to suit your needs and resources available and go with that. You'll find that the plants will simply follow your lead!

Japanese indigo does well if started indoors and transplanted outside after any threat of frost has passed. In Christchurch, this can be as late as November!

For small amounts, sow seeds in trays with damp seed raising mix, or if sowing larger amounts, prepare soil in a greenhouse to a fine sandy tilth and sow into damp soil. Ensure your trays, pots or seed beds are free draining so the seeds and roots don't get waterlogged.

There is no need to plant single seeds if you don't have the time or space, you can freely scatter the...Read More

"Flax Fields of the Future"

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:51:40 -0700

Scrolling Facebook the other day, I came across a post in the Flax to Linen Facebook group mentioning a seminar where flax experts, researchers and enthusiasts across northern Europe come together to discuss their projects and their views of the future of the plant. No way am I missing this!! (I nearly did since it started at 12:00am Friday night NZ time & a few ciders with the girls almost derailed my plans!!)

The promotional text goes:

Our goal? To plant the seeds of collaboration and growth. We're all about sustainable practices, and we believe in the potential of flax cultivation to make a positive impact.

With visionary sustainable partners such as The University of Borås, Textile Fashion Center Borås, Science Park Borås, Rydal Swedish International Weaving Center and others, it's obvious that the European countries are future focused.

1sqm of Flax

The first main project discussed was an initiative aimed to promote the love and understanding of growing your own fibers called "1 sqm of Flax", inviting people to grow their own lot of flax on 1 square meter of land followed by regional workshops to process the flax.

I'd love to try this project here! Unfortunately due to the shape of our country the workshop side of this initiative could...Read More

Cultivating Change

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:59:05 -0700

In the heart of Lincoln, Canterbury, a quiet revolution is taking place. As the world grapples with the growing climate crisis, I found myself drawn to create a sustainable solution that also celebrates the beauty of natural fibers and dyes. This is the story of how, while studying at BHU's Future Farming Centre—a beacon of organic farming since the 1970s, thanks to the visionary Bob Crowder—I embarked on the journey of working towards producing high-quality fabrics from organic linen and dye plants on this historic land. Alongside me is the talented textile artist Charlotte of Wander and Stitch, and together, we're striving to produce exquisite, soil-to-soil textiles for local designers and makers.

The Call to Action

In a world plagued by the global damage caused by fast fashion—harm to both people and the land—I found myself yearning for something better for our country. The urgency of the climate crisis, compounded by the exploitative practices of the fashion industry, left me with a deep desire to make a difference. This is the story of how, inspired by the need for change and a commitment to creating a better future for younger generations, we've embarked on a journey to craft high-quality fabrics that can be safely returned to the soil.

The Birth of an Idea

The answer to my question came in the form of a vision for a local, organic, and sustainable textile ecosystem. Lincoln's fertile land and favorable climate made it an ideal location to grow flax, which we would use to produce high-quality linen. Additionally, we would cultivate dye plants to offer an alternative to synthetic dyes that harm the environment.

The birth of this idea was propelled by a pressing global issue—the...Read More

Flax to Linen:

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:58:09 -0700

New Zealand's South Island, with its young soils and temperate climate, became an unexpected player during wartime Britain. A short-lived industry was established but peeterd out as war came to an end and international markets could procure flax locally again.
As we embark on a journey to grow linen at the BHU in Lincoln this summer season, we look forward to sharing the progress of this historical revival.

The Linen Connection: New Zealand and Britain
In the early 1940s, Britain was gripped by the chaos of World War II, and the need for textile resources was acute. Linen, with its versatile properties, emerged as a vital component for the war effort. It was essential for producing clothing, bandages, and various other military equipment. Yet, sourcing linen proved to be a logistical challenge for Britain.

New Zealand's Contribution
Amid this tumultuous era, New Zealand's South Island became an unlikely linchpin in the linen supply chain. The region's climate and fertile soil provided an ideal environment for growing flax, the plant from which linen is derived. Flax cultivation became a crucial part of New Zealand's contribution to Britain's war effort.

From Field to Ship
Britain contracted New Zealand to plant 15,000 acres of flax for linen across Marlborough, Canterbury and Southland. We constructed mills across the regions and produced over 128,000 tons of fibre in only 6 seasons. Most of the crop pulled from our land was tank retted, a process which breaks down the gums releasing the fibres, then cleaned, separated and spun. We even sold the by-products of the processing, seed was the second highest value item and tow, the woody bits removed from the fibres, was sold and used to make fibrous...Read More

The Rich History of Japanese Indigo

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:58:04 -0700

In the world of natural dyes and sustainable textiles, few colors hold the same allure and historical significance as Japanese indigo, or "ai" in Japanese. This captivating plant, known for its deep blue hues, has a history that stretches back centuries in Japan. Beyond its vibrant aesthetics, Japanese indigo has also proven to be a boon for soil health and sustainable textile practices. In this blog, we'll take you on a journey through the rich history of Japanese indigo and explore the benefits it offers for soil-to-soil textiles.

The Ancient Roots of Japanese Indigo
Japanese indigo cultivation dates back over a thousand years, making it an integral part of Japan's cultural and textile heritage. The plant, scientifically known as Persicaria tinctoria, was traditionally grown by Japanese farmers in small family plots. It thrived in various regions of Japan, from the southernmost islands to the northernmost regions of Hokkaido.

The Art of Indigo Dyeing
The process of extracting the prized blue pigment from Japanese indigo leaves is a time-honored art. Leaves are harvested, then fermented and processed in a labor-intensive manner. The indigo dye produced from this plant is unique for its deep, rich blue color and its ability to color textiles beautifully.