LINEN FABRIC INFORMATION

LINEN FABRIC INFORMATION
Linen is a lightweight and breathable fabric, used
extensively in warmer climates. Linen fabric is
traditionally made from flax, a finicky plant that
requires a good deal of attention during its
growth; for this reason (and because linen has no
elasticity, making it more difficult to weave), linen
tends to be more expensive than cotton. The
production of quality linen fabric is highly
dependant on growing and harvesting procedures.
The flax plant is either completely pulled out of
the ground or cut close to the root, and the seeds
are removed through a process called winnowing.
Fibers are loosened from the plant stalk through
the retting process, and are then ready for the
scutching procedure. Scutching occurs between
August and December, and involves removing the
woody part of the stalk by crushing it between
two rollers, leaving the fibers exposed. Shorter
fibers are combed away, leaving only the long,
desirable flax fibers behind. The history of linen
fabric is not nearly as well-documented as that
of cotton and silk, though it is the oldest of all
fabrics, and evidence of linen has been found in
Swiss lake dwellings dating from 8000 BC. It may
simply be that flax was taken for granted. After
all, families in every country around the world had
their own flax garden; it was just as natural an
occurrence as fetching water from the well.
However, the earliest mention of linen fabric
comes from ancient Greece, where the evidence of
a linen industry is shown on 4,000 year-old
tablets. From there, the Phoenicians established
linen trading throughout Eurasia and introduced
flax cultivation to present-day Ireland. Evidence
of linen's durability is shown in its use in ancient
Egyptian mummification; the linen wrappings of
King Rameses II were nearly perfectly preserved
after more than 3,000 years. Today, Western
Europe, Ireland in particular, dominates flax and
linen production in both quantity and quality.
Linen has traditionally been regarded as the
“workhorse” of fabrics, relegated to use in
household textiles like towels and aprons.
However, since 1970, linen fabric production for
apparel has increased from 5% to 70%. Though
the feel of linen fabrics is less smooth than that
of cotton, it is highly absorbent and far more
durable. While this makes linen fabric perfectly
suited for table coverings, bed coverings, curtains,
and other household textiles, its durability, light
weight, and breathability make it ideal for pants,
shirts, and outerwear. Linen is also a favorite in
the kitchen, its insulating and cooling properties
making it ideal for oven mitts and napkins.
Although the term “linens” now refers to any
fabric that is used for bedding, towels or place
settings, linen fabric will always be a superior
choice for quality home décor, napkins,
tablecloths and breezy summer wear. Linen can
be machine-washed and requires much less care
than silk or cotton, though it does have a
tendency to wrinkle. Ironing of linen should be
done while damp, and only to remove wrinkles,
never to dry the fabric; linen should be laid flat to
dry. Linen can also attract mildew, so it should
be dried thoroughly after washing and before
storage.