Retting flax and hemp
In order to separate the woody stalks, the straw and the textile fibres, retting consisted of immersing the flax or hemp to break down the pectin, a natural “cement” that bonds the fibres together. This fermentation created a pungent odour and turned the water toxic. Retting ponds such as in Regnéville were set apart from dwellings and water courses.
From hemp to yarn
Following retting and drying, the hemp is beaten using a breaker. The hemp fibre or tow is then separated from the stalk and the straw. The tow is beaten again then combed on large planks through a series of progressively thinner, sharpened metal teeth. The last impurities of the tow are removed and it is ready to be delivered to weavers or rope makers.