Several methods are used for retting flax. It can be retted in a pond, stream, field, or tank. When the retting is complete, the bundles of flax feel soft and slimy, and quite a few fibers are standing out from the stalks. When wrapped around a finger, the inner woody part springs away from the fibers. Pond retting is the fastest. It consists of placing the flax in a pool of water which will not evaporate. It generally takes place in a shallow pool which will warm up dramatically in the sun; the process may take from a few days to a few weeks. Pond-retted flax is traditionally considered of lower quality, possibly because the product can become dirty, and is easily over-retted, damaging the fiber. This form of retting also produces quite an odor. Stream retting is similar to pool retting, but the flax is submerged in bundles in a stream or river. This generally takes two or three weeks longer than pond retting, but the end product is less likely to be dirty, does not smell as bad, and because the water is cooler, is less likely to be over-retted. Both pond and stream retting were traditionally used less because they pollute the waters used for the process. [ citation needed]

Care instructions: Linen fabric care varies depending on the type and finish. Some linens require handwashing or delicate machine cycles, while others can be machine washed and dried. Layering: Start by placing the largest petals at the bottom and gradually add smaller petals on top. This will create depth and dimension to your flower.

As a percentage of total fat, flax seeds contain 54% omega-3 fatty acids (mostly ALA), 18% omega-9 fatty acids ( oleic acid), and 6% omega-6 fatty acids ( linoleic acid); the seeds contain 9% saturated fat, including 5% as palmitic acid. [37] [38] Flax seed oil contains 53% 18:3 omega-3 fatty acids (mostly ALA) and 13% 18:2 omega-6 fatty acids. [37] Health research [ edit ] Flax fiber is extracted from the bast beneath the surface of the stem of the flax plant. Flax fiber is soft, lustrous, and flexible; bundles of fiber have the appearance of blonde hair, hence the description "flaxen" hair. It is stronger than cotton fiber, but less elastic. Linum usitatissimum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2 October 2014. Choosing the right linen for your project can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your creations. There are several linen fabric types to choose from, each with its own unique qualities.

Although brown flax seed varieties may be consumed as readily as the yellow ones, and have been for thousands of years, these varieties are more commonly used in paints, for fiber, and for cattle feed. Once you’ve selected your linen fabric, start cutting and shaping the petals for your fabric flowers. The way you cut and shape the petals will determine the overall look and style of your flowers. There are various cutting techniques and shaping methods you can use to create different petal shapes and add dimension to your fabric flowers. Strandås, C. (2008). "Phenolic glucosides in bread containing flaxseed". Food Chemistry. 110 (4): 997–999. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.02.088. PMID 26047292.Kramer, Samuel Noah (1963). The Sumerians: Their history, culture and character (PDF). The University of Chicago Press. p.104. ISBN 0-226-45237-9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2016. Quanru Liu; Lihua Zhou. " Linum". Flora of China. Vol.11. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015 . Retrieved 2 October 2014. a b c "Nutrition facts for 100 g of flaxseeds". Conde Nast for USDA National Nutrient Database, version SR-21. 2015. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Linseed meal is added to cattle feed as a protein supplement. It can only be added at low percentages due to the high fat content, which is unhealthy for ruminants. [29] Compared to oilseed meal from crucifers it measures as having lower nutrient values, [19] however, good results are obtained in cattle, perhaps due to the mucilage, which may aid in slowing digestion and thus allowing more time to absorb nutrients. [19] [29] One study found that feeding flax seeds may increase omega-3 content in beef, while another found no differences. It might also act as a substitute for tallow in increasing marbling. [29] [31] In the US, flax-based feed for ruminants is often somewhat more expensive than other feeds on a nutrient basis. [32] Sheep feeding on low quality forage are able to eat a large amount of linseed meal, up to 40% in one test, with positive consequences. It has been fed as supplement to water buffaloes in India, and provided a better diet than forage alone, but not as good as when substituted with soy meal. It is considered an inferior protein supplement for swine because of its fibre, the vitamin antagonist, the high omega-3 content and its low lysine content, and can only be used in small amounts in the feed. Although it may increase the omega-3 content in eggs and meat, it is also an inferior and potentially toxic feed for poultry, although it can be used in small amounts. The meal is an adequate and traditional source of protein for rabbits at 8–10%. Its use in fish feeds is limited. [19]