Local linen

The Linen Project is a research-driven initiative focused on re-establishing linen as a locally produced material in the Netherlands. Since 2018, the project has investigated the contemporary potential of flax (Linum usitatissimum) as a bast fibre, exploring how small-scale cultivation can be integrated into a modern, regionally embedded linen production chain.

The project examines linen from farm to textile, addressing the full material trajectory—from fibre farming and harvesting to retting, processing, spinning and textile applications. Attention is given to soil health, biodiversity and nature-inclusive agricultural practices, as well as to the material qualities of linen, including fibre strength, durability, breathability and suitability for long-lasting textile use.

Research and production are developed through a learning-by-doing approach, combining hands-on experimentation with knowledge exchange across disciplines. The Linen Project collaborates with farmers, processors, designers and craftspeople to better understand how local flax fibres can be processed and applied within contemporary textile production.

Participatory programmes such as ‘1m² vlas’ make the material process tangible by guiding participants through each stage of linen production, from seed to finished textile. These initiatives support the development of a collective value chain in which material knowledge, craftsmanship and local production are central.