Visit to Charlie Mallon's Flax Field, County Tyrone

We managed to visit Mallon Linen’s flax field on a spectacular afternoon on one of the last tail end days of the summer, in fact we had already entered September. Our electric car ran out of charge half way their, our photographer cancelled and the bails of flax were being cleared the following day but I was very glad we pursued the journey as everything about this farm was beautiful. Walking across four fields of rolling hills to get to the crop was a colossal effort (baby in arm as too mucky for the pram and of course I forgot the sling) bags of linen and hangers in tow. I loved learning more about Charlie’s wonderful farm, the vintage scutching machinery he acquired and is sprucing up and his plans for the weaving. Not only this but he is an accomplished sculptor, creating pieces for Chelsea Flower Show is only one of many projects under his belt. No wonder he took some good snaps of us, being the multitalented artist he is. I really cannot wait to see the fruits of his labour and get my hands on some of the linen produced from the very flax that we saw. Very excited!

I brought a rose cushion in my ‘French Mustard’ shade as the golden hue worked perfectly set against the harvest backdrop. And a little flax flower, made from my scraps of left over linen, this was a commission (designed back in 2019) for Northern Ireland Assembly / Stormont Parliament Buildings which is no doubt all over the world after being presented to and taken home by visitors. And of course my ‘Roisin’ ruffle top, launched last Autumn as a classic non trend led garment that I plan to continue releasing in different colour ways. I brought the Victorian inspired blouse in a palette of Spring / Summer colours just before they are put away, and a couple of Autumn shades for good measure.