HOW TO PRODUCE FLAX: Practical workshops and demonstrations at Quinta de Serralves

At Quinta de Serralves, this is the second year of cultivating a flax field with the goal of teaching about its production and processing using only locally produced fiber.
Late spring and early summer is the time for harvesting and starting its processing. Therefore, next Saturday, July 2nd, Saber Fazer will bring to Serralves a day entirely dedicated to flax fiber and small-scale production, with demonstrations and practical workshops.

A unique opportunity to learn all about flax and its production, and to learn the various techniques yourself in an exclusive hands-on workshop led by one of the only artisans in our country who still produces flax professionally: Mª das Dores Matos.

There are two activities scheduled: the Demonstration, which takes place only in the morning and is free to attend (see the program below), and the Practical Flax Processing Workshop, which has a limited capacity and takes place only in the afternoon.

Here's an overview of the two activities and all the information you need to come and learn about and try your hand at processing flax next weekend:

SATURDAY JULY 02
11AM-1PM QUINTA DE SERRALVES (EIRA)

HOW FLAX IS PRODUCED: FROM SEED TO YARN, DEMONSTRATION OF FLAX PRODUCTION

At the end of spring, it's time to harvest the flax we've been sowing and cultivating for the last couple of months at Quinta de Serralves. This moment sets the tone for one of the few people who still produces flax professionally in Portugal, Mª das Dores Matos, to come and share with us her knowledge of how this textile fiber is produced on a small scale, from seed to yarn. During this demonstration, the flax will be harvested and the various stages of its processing will be shown, namely slatting, maceration, milling and scutching, using only the raw material produced the previous year at Serralves.

Instructors: Maria das Dores and Domingos Matos;
Day: July 2nd (Saturday);
Time: 11am-1pm;
Location: Quinta de Serralves (Eira);
Admission: free, with the purchase of a Park or Museum+Park ticket.
More information: www.serralves.pt

SATURDAY JULY 02
3PM-6PM QUINTA DE SERRALVES (EIRA)

HOW FLAX IS PRODUCED: PRACTICAL WORKSHOP ON PROCESSING FLAX WITH Mª DAS DORES MATOS

At the end of spring, it's time to harvest the flax we've been sowing and cultivating for the last couple of months at Quinta de Serralves. This moment sets the tone for one of the few people who still produces flax professionally in Portugal, Mª das Dores Matos, to come and share with us her knowledge of the small-scale production of this textile fiber, from seed to yarn.
In this practical workshop dedicated to small-scale linen production, we will learn all the stages of processing this fiber with the guidance of one of the few artisans in our country who uses only linen grown and processed by herself in her handmade weaving work.
Participants will have the opportunity to start this workshop with the 2016 flax field still on the ground and learn all the techniques, from harvesting to hackling, using only the Galician flax grown at Quinta de Serralves and the tools used by the artisan herself. At a time when flax is almost no longer produced in Portugal, and most of the yarn used is imported, it is important to understand the potential of producing this fiber and the proper way to produce it in order to obtain high-quality textile fiber.
 
Instructors: Maria das Dores Matos
Day: July 2nd (Saturday);
Time: 15h-18h;
Location: Quinta de Serralves (Eira);
Admission: €7.5
Capacity: 10 participants;

REGISTRATION
At the Museum Reception: Monday to Sunday, during opening hours
- Online
- By bank transfer, to the Fundação de Serralves with IBAN: PT50 0010.0000.86451970001.02 - sending proof and registration details by e-mail to apoio.se@serralves.pt; details required for registration: full name, e-mail address, telephone/mobile.

More information: www.serralves.pt