Flax Uncovered

From land to linen and beyond: Telling the story of a plant, a town and a landscape

Long before synthetic fibres, before fast fashion, before the world forgot how to make its own cloth from the ground up, Bridport grew flax.

Flax Forward is a community-led project uncovering that buried heritage and asking what it might mean for the future. Working with local farmers, historians and makers, the project traces flax from seed to stalk, harvesting and processing, reviving a craft that Heritage Crafts Association has flagged as at risk of disappearing altogether.

The exhibition traces the project – the whole story, from field to fabric, brought vividly to life across the town.

We invite you to come and see what our community researchers have found in their searches. What stories have they uncovered? Explore maps, documents and books and join the research to help tell the story of a plant, a town and a landscape.

Flax Forward is a partnership project that will be delivered by Wessex Community Assets, Bridport Museum, Bridport Arts Centre and Bridport School of Regenerative Fashion. The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting this project alongside the Trellis Foundation.

Flax Forward has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we are uncovering Bridport’s flax heritage and exploring sustainable natural fibre production for the future.

5th – 9th October, 10am-4pm, Weds-Sat.
Allsop Gallery. FREE ENTRY