Margit Pensa

Recultivating Estonian linen

• Margit has been cultivating and processing linen since 2014
• The entire process takes circa 5 months
• Keeping traditional practices alive is her passion

Margit Pensa is one of the few remaining linen makers in Estonia today. When Margit saw that the centuries-old tradition of linen spinning had almost disappeared from Estonia, she decided to do everything possible to retain it. After her studies, she started her independent practical work and began training with other linen makers. By now, Margit has trained over 100 students herself, while also holding regular workshops on linen plucking, brushing and spinning. Margit encourages everyone who wishes to work with linen to be brave and not be afraid of physical work: “it is the only way to preserve the heritage passed down by our ancestors for hundreds of years,” she says.

Interview

©All rights reserved

©All rights reserved

Why did you want to reinstate traditional linen making in Estonia?

I decided to promote linen work when I realised that the traditional skill of linen spinning is disappearing from the Estonian cultural heritage space, especially after the Second World War and the advent of a new social order in the 20th century.

What are the specific skills of linen making?

Over the years I have acquired expertise in different, but interrelated processes of linen making. These include sowing, plucking, soaking, drying, brushing and spinning the flax fibre.

Can this craft be considered endangered?

I would say so, yes. Our ancestors left us with theoretical knowledge of this craft, but it is hard to practise linen making solely on the basis of theory and no practice. This is why it is important to train apprentices in this craft.

What is it you enjoy most about your work?

I am always pleased when I see surprised and happy people, who have gone through the same process of linen making and flax fibre accumulation as me.

Margit Pensa is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2016

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