Flax was an important raw material for two reasons: its oil-rich seeds contributed to a balanced diet, whilst the broken-up and finely spun fibres formed the basis for high-quality, skin-friendly clothing – from nappies to dresses.

The floor loom or weight loom enabled the production of fabric panels up to one metre wide. The so-called warp threads hung vertically and were weighted at their lower ends with clay weights. The weft thread was passed horizontally between the warp threads using the shuttle and beaten into place with the reed. With every back-and-forth movement of the weft thread, the fabric grew to the desired length.