Midwest Linen Revival

Midwest Linen Revival is thrilled to again present Field to Frock, events which brings people together to learn and to celebrate the future of farming, fiber, and flax.

Come makers, artists, textile enthusiasts, agriculturalists, small farmers, local foodies, slow-fashionistas! Together we are weaving relationships with materials, makers, growers, and thinkers to encourage a richer, modern human connection with textiles.

Attend one event or all of them! We promise you'll leave with a greater appreciation for the connections between soil health and human health, traditional skills with future resilience, and individual crafting with community wellbeing. Attendees learn about our connection past, present, and future with the beautiful flax plant.

Send us an email if you are interested in volunteering!

Many of this years festival events are made possible by our treasured Presenting Partners;

Textile Arts Center of Madison

Allen Centennial Gardents

Fibershed Heartland

UW Crops and Soil

Division of Extension

A Tuesday, June 23: Olbrich After Hours registration required

Time: 5:00 - 9:00 pm; Concert starts at 7:00 pm

Midwest Linen Revival is delighted to be the Sustainability Partner at this weeks live concert on the lawn. Bring your own blanket or chairs. Food carts and drink for purchase. Come to talk with Leslie Schroeder at the Midwest Linen Revival table to learn more about growing flax and visit flax plants growing in the gardens at Olbrich.

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
Free to attend, $5 donation suggested. Registration required https://www.olbrich.org/calendar/after-hours

B Wednesday, June 24: Field Day at West Agricultural Research Station

PRESENTING PARTNER UW- Extension Emerging Crops Program

Start Time: 4:00 pm

Location: West Madison Agricultural Research Station, 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593

Parking: available onsite

Join Steffen Mirsky of UW-Extension's Emerging Crops team and Midwest Linen Revival's Leslie Schroeder to visit the demonstration plot of oil seed and fiber flax growing side-by-side at West Madison Ag Research Station. This is a chance to learn about the flax plant and hear about the agronomic essentials for growing flax at both artisanal and field scale.

C Thursday, June 25: Historic Linen Textiles Tours registration required

PRESENTING PARTNER UW- School of Human Ecology

Time: 3:00 pm, tour will last approx. 60 minutes

Max capacity: 20 people per tour

Location: UW-Madison Center for Design & Material Culture

1300 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706

Parking Info here: https://cdmc.wisc.edu/about/location/

Attending is free but registration is required to save your spot: https://givebutter.com/thursday625-3-pm-behind-the-scenes-tour-featuring-historic-pieces-of-linen-at-the-helen-louise-allen-collection-with-dr-sophie-pitman-copy-vba4nf

Did you know that one of the world’s largest textile collections is on the UW-Madison campus?

The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, housed in the Center for Design and Material Culture at the School of Human Ecology at UW Madison, includes over 14,000 textile artifacts spanning 16 centuries and 108 countries. Started by a fiber enthusiast and beloved Wisconsin professor Helen Louise Allen, the remarkable research collection will be open for two special Field to Frock tours. This is a unique opportunity to peek inside the storage space and learn the inside story about a few linen pieces that will represent a range of cultures, time periods, and functions with cultural historian and textile specialist Sophie Pitman. Pre-registration recommended as space is limited.

A pioneer in her field, Professor Allen approached textile objects as cultural records through which human nature and history could be better understood. For this linen-focused, hands-on opportunity, Dr. Pitman will share stories from some of highlighted objects from the collection and invite relevant, timely conversation about what we can learn about how linen has been made, worn, valued, and cared for around the world, throughout history.

D Thursday, June 25: Film Shorts on Farming, Fiber, and Fashion

PRESENTING PARTNER Dane Co. Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union

Start Time: Doors at 5:30 pm; Films at 5:45 pm followed by moderated conversation and time to mingle

Hosted by: Kylie Compe, Science Education Producer with PBS Wisconsin Education

Join us for a curated screening of short films about flax, textiles, and agriculture. These films represent the challenges and possibilities of the industry today. Representatives from the Dane County Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union will be there to join the conversation.

Location: 3rd floor of Madison Central Library, 201 Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703

Parking: City of Madison Overture Center Garage https://www.cityofmadison.com/parking/garages-lots/overture-center-garage

E Friday, June 26: Historic Linen Textiles Tours registration required

PRESENTING PARTNER UW- School of Human Ecology

Time: 3:00 pm, tour will last approx. 60 minutes

Max capacity: 20 people per tour

Location: UW-Madison Center for Design & Material Culture

1300 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706

Parking Info: https://cdmc.wisc.edu/about/location/

Attending is free but registration is required to save your spot: https://givebutter.com/friday-626-3-pm-behind-the-scenes-tour-featuring-historic-pieces-of-linen-at-the-helen-louise-allen-collection-with-dr-sophie-pitman-rvzhuj

Did you know that one of the world’s largest textile collections is on the UW-Madison campus?

F Friday, June 26: Hands-on Flax Papermaking and Sculpting in the Garden

PRESENTING PARTNER Allen Centinnial Gardens

Time: 12:00-4:00 pm

Did you know that American paper currency is 30% flax fiber? The shorter, rougher fiber that comes after cleaning longline flax fiber is called tow. It has been used to make paper across generations and cultures. Join artist Patricia Tinajero for a tactile experience creating with community in the garden. Enjoy this special opportunity to make a unique paper product with Wisconsin-grown flax.

Location: UW-Madison Allen Centennial Gardens

620 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Parking Info: There are two-hour timed parking stalls (mobile pay “meters” that do not accept coins) on Babcock Drive, as well as a parking ramp (Lot 36) on Observatory Drive.

G Friday, June 26: Exhibit Home Grown Opening Reception

PRESENTING PARTNER Textile Arts Center

Times: 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Location: Textile Arts Center of Madison, 1702 South Park, Madison, WI 53713

off street parking on site

Home Grown focuses on the use of materials sourced from the Midwest and considers their significance within fiber and textile practices. Fibers and dyes produced locally reflect specific places, agricultural cycles, and the labor involved in growing, raising, and processing them. Working with regional materials highlights issues of sustainability, land stewardship, and making practices that are grounded in local knowledge rather than globalized production systems.

H Saturday, June 27: Papermaking And Collage with Wisconsin-Grown Flax registration required

PRESENTING PARTNER Textile Arts Center

Time: 1:00 - 4:00

Presenter: Patricia Tinajero

Registration link:

https://www.hisawyer.com/textile-arts-center-of-madison/schedules/activity-set/1893525

Location: Textile Arts Center of Madison, 1702 South Park, Madison, WI 53713

This hands-on workshop with visiting artist Maria Patricia Tinajero https://tinajero.art explores the properties of handmade flax paper. Discover the tactile beauty of handmade paper in this hands-on workshop using unbleached flax fiber grown by Midwest Linen Revival! Participants will create their own small paper sheets and transform them into a layered collage using both wet and dry techniques.

You’ll leave with a finished artwork plus a collection of handmade flax papers to continue creating at home. We’ll also explore a unique paper “sewing” technique using natural linen fibers to join and repair paper—no glue required.

I Saturday, June 27: Hands-On Mending for Everyone

PRESENTING PARTNER Fibershed Heartland

Time: 1:00-3:00

Presenter: Kathryn Prince Fibershed Heartland

Location: Aubergine

1226 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Parking Info: Street parking available

Make a statement with your style, no sewing experience necessary! This hands-on, free event is

kid-friendly and open to everyone. We will offer the instruction, tools, and materials for remaking

older clothes into something fresh and fun. Bring your own clothing or try out some techniques

on our provided fabric. Instructors and fiber artists Kathryn Prince and Carolyn Lipke will share what they love about hand sewing and teach participants the skills to be part of the solution while dressing to impress

J Saturday, June 27: Demonstration of Hand Processing Flax

Time: 2:00-4:00

Join us to explore all the hand tools used to process dried flax straw into clean fiber. You'll learn about the hows and whys each step is important, and have an opportunity to try your hand at cleaning some Wisconsin grown flax fiber.

Presenter: Leslie Schroeder of Midwest Linen Revival accomopanied by long time flax enthusaist, master weaver and frequent presenter Tom Blodgett.

Location: Willy Street Park, 1002 Williamson Street Madison WI, 53703

K Saturday, June 27: Spinning Flax to Fiber

PRESENTING PARTNER Fibershed Heartland

Time: 3:00 - 5:00

We have an excellent line-up of deeply knowledgeable and skilled spinners to demonstrate the ancient magic of transforming flax straw into gold. Together this group of spinners can also answer all of your spinning questions. Visitors will have an opportunity give spinning a whirl, too!

Presenters:

Evie of Jillian Eve https://www.youtube.com/@JillianEve

Holin Kennen https://victoriantechinstitute.blogspot.com/

Bee Hahn of Babes Fiber Garden https://babesfibergarden.com/

Joanne Blodgett https://www.blackberryfarm.info/

Kallia Walkowiak https://www.instagram.com/runningconceptart/

Location: Aubergine

1226 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Parking Info: Street parking available

L Sunday, June 28: Garden-Scale Growers How-To

Start Time: 10:00 am

Join Midwest Linen Revival co-founder Leslie Schroeder to visit the OM gardens flax plating and learn about the agronomic essentials of growing flax at an artisanal scale.

This field visit requires some walking. We'll meet along the street fronting edge of the community gardens by the fruit trees and make our way together to the OM field at the back of the property. Come dressed for weather and consider bringing water if it's hot!

Location: Rooted Troy Community Gardens, 502 Troy Drive. Madison, WI 53704

Parking: there is road construction in the area, on-street parking is available but may best found on ajacent side streets

M Sunday, June 28: How To Get From Field To Frock: A Panel Discussion and Fashion Show ticketed event

Time: Doors at 4:00. Panel talk, 4:30 followed by fashion show and an invitation to stay for mingling and conversation

Ticketed event: available for a donation of $1-$100

Location: High Noon Saloon, 701 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 5370

Venue Event link: https://high-noon.com/event/field-to-frock-linen-fashion-show/

Parking: 1) lot on site, 2) good neighbor parking at Hallman Lindsey on Blount Street, 3) City of Madison S. Livingston Parking Garage one block from venue

Panel Facilitator

Ami Eckard-Lee: Host of PBS Wisconsin's series Field Notes on Climate & generally interesting human, historian, pilot, clown

Panelists

Alex Spaulding: Farmer and natural textile advocate; Red Door Family Farm Athens WI & Northern Pines FIbershed

Sam Bibby: Farmer and educator; UW-Extension Crops and Soils Educator for Vernon and Crawford Counties

Davie Froeschner: Engineer and fabricator, developing small-scale mechanized flax processing; Badger State Mills

Lauren McElroy: Knit pattern designer, hand spinner, artist, maker; Mother of Purl

Bowen Zahn, Professor, designer, maker; UW-School Of Human Ecology

Do you know who grew your clothes? Don’t miss this lively and inspiring event! Join us for a conversation about the revival of flax-to-linen in the Midwest, followed by the linen fashion show to get you excited about what to wear now and for the future!

First, learn what a local fibershed is from a panel of farmers, textile experts, designers and makers. This moderated discussion brings together people from every aspect of your clothing — the literal Field to Frock process revealed!

In the fashion show we'll see brand new linen creations from the UW-SOHE design students, as well as linen fashions from local designers and makers. You will leave excited about the beauty and versatility of linen. This culminating Field to Frock party is not to be missed- wear your favorite linen fit!

We are deeply grateful to our festival funders!

We are grateful for wonderful community partners and venues:

Charlie Darwin Textiles https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com/

High Noon Saloon https://high-noon.com/

JillianEve https://www.youtube.com/jillianeve

Still Goods https://www.stillgoodsmadison.com/

Thready Jenny https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThreadyJenny

Field to Frock has been curated and produced by:

Jessica Becker

Jessica is Director of Letters and Communications for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and editor of Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine. She has a background in museums and education, and puts her energy into community projects that help us imagine a future in which we value our histories and evolve with resiliency and creativity. She is co-host of Human Powered podcast - conversations with cultural leaders working to strengthen civic space in communities around the state — and co-founded Field to Frock with Midwest Linen Revival — events to bring people together to imagine the future of farming, fashion, and flax. She writes non-fiction essays on literature, art, food, and travel to liberate the spirit and light up the brain for her Substack called Wanderlife. A mother to two teenage daughters, she wakes up early to practice yoga, bikes almost everywhere, enjoys cooking with her family, and is endlessly inspired by the beautiful world.

Leslie Schroeder

Leslie's background is a blend of practical skills, community engagement, and a deep connection to nature.

She enjoyed fourteen years as a stay-at-home homeschooling parent of two which provided her the flexibility of time to deepen into the contemporary fiber crafts of sewing, knitting, and learning to weave on a floor loom, while also exploring traditional textile skills of twining wild cordage and hand tanning buckskins. Finding continuity from all that is ancient and modern in fiber flax, Leslie became smitten with linen.

Drawing it all together is an inspiration that there is something sacred in mending our relationship with our clothes.

Founder of Midwest Linen Revival, Leslie has been enthusiastically working to bring all that she has in passion and organizing skill into reviving a fiber-flax industry in The Midwest.

She sleeps outside whenever she can.

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