Published Thursday 27 May 2021 at 17:27
If you’re thinking of ways to support the creation of new green spaces and would like to learn traditional skills with people passionate about sustainability – Homegrown Homespun needs you!
Homegrown Homespun is a collaboration with designer Patrick Grant, his social enterprise Community Clothing, The Super Slow Way, Blackburn with Darwen Council and North West England Fibreshed.
You can join the ground-breaking sustainable fashion project, happening right here in Blackburn, while we become the first town in modern times to grow its own clothes.
Blackburn with Darwen’s Executive member for Wellbeing Cllr Damian Talbot said: “We’re pleased to support this sustainability project here in BwD. The plan to grow, process and make clothes right here in the borough is exciting and a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to be a part of something very special. This week the 5 Ways to Wellbeing focus is keep learning – this is a great example of how learning something new could lead to new skills and new friends.”
Homegrown Homespun plan to turn unused land in the town into a field of flax and woad. Using the flax to spin and weave linen, and make natural indigo dye from the woad. This will then be used to make denim and some great sustainable clothing as well as making new habitats for wildlife and improving our outdoor spaces.
They’re looking for volunteers to help with the whole process from sowing the seeds during the spring to harvesting our flax and woad in the autumn. Then they’ll be using ancient methods of preparing and extracting the linen and the indigo and learning how to spin, weave and dye the cloth.
If you’d like to get involved, covid-safe volunteer sessions are every Friday from 10 – 12 between now and September. These regular Friday sessions are open to all.
Friday 28th May – Clearing day 10 – 12pm (drop in)
Friday 11th June 11th – Plant a dye garden 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 25th June – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 2nd July – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 9th July – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 16th July – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday July 23rd – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday July 30th – Weeding / clearing 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 6th Aug – Pulling flax 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 13th Aug – Retting flax 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 20th Aug – Retting flax 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 27th August Retting flax 10 – 12 (drop in)
Friday 3rd September – Retting flax 10 – 12 (drop in)
The Homegrown Homespun site is at:
Jan’s Conference Centre, Higher Audley Street, BB1 1DH
Parking available on site. Please wear a face mask and maintain social distancing rules.
If you would like to join the volunteers email Uzma: uzma@superslowway.org.uk
If you’d like to receive future updates about both the British Textile Biennial and the Homegrown Homespun project sign up for the mailing list here.