For centuries, linen has been a mainstay in clothing due to its exceptional qualities and inherent beauty. Made from the flax plant’s fibers, linen is prized for its brevity, robustness, and environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Its capacity to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer makes this material highly prized.
Because linen is 100% natural, it’s a top pick for people looking for eco-friendly and skin-friendly textiles. Its distinct feel and distinct texture add to its allure, giving it a rustic yet refined appearance that gets better with use and age.
Making linen fabric is a long-standing custom that demands meticulous attention to detail. Every stage of the process, from gathering the flax to spinning the fibers into yarn, adds to the fabric’s unique characteristics and strength. Knowing the characteristics of linen will make it easier for you to see why it’s still a classic choice for clothing and home textiles.
- History and production features
- Flax: how fabric is made
- What is artificial flax
- Manufacturing technology
- Properties of linen fabric
- Stretch or not
- Classification by type of weave
- What is made from linen
- Bed linen
- Clothing fabrics
- Care features
- Video on the topic
- FIND OUT IF YOU NEED LINEN ☝ before sewing from linen ➤ summer new products of the store FABRICS.expert
- Linen fabric (flax), what kind of material is it?
- How linen fabric is made. The process of making linen fabric
History and production features
Most people have probably seen photos of flax blooming. Particularly in the morning, stunning blue flowers look breathtaking. The skin of this plant’s stem is used to make flax cloth.
Presumably, linen fabric saw the light of day about 5000 years ago. Ancient Egypt is considered to be its homeland. In Egypt, as in the Ancient East, this fabric was highly valued, being considered a sign of wealth. Linen products were worn by pharaohs and priests. It was at this time that the first mentions of these plants appeared in the descriptions of those times. However, there is a theory that the fabric came from Persia. It was Egypt that became famous for flax cultivation. Initially, the Egyptians began to make flax threads. They were used to create nets and weave ropes. Nets and ropes began to be used in fishing and in the process of hunting. When it became clear that the fabric is strong and dense, it began to be used for making clothes, for burials of the nobility and even as a means of payment.
Natural flax was once exclusively accessible to the wealthy. The fabric soon overthrew Rus."
The longer the thread obtained from a kilogram of yarn, the higher the quality of the fabric, according to manufacturers. The Egyptians were so good at what they did that they could weave 240 kilometers of thread out of one kilogram of yarn. Unfortunately, the exact method and source of flax with these properties are unknown (what was added).
Flax: how fabric is made
Plants like flax made thin fabric. The manufacturing plan remained the same for a very long period. For production purposes, only cultivars like Kudryash or Dolgunets are acceptable.
The plant together with the root system was pulled out and dried. For this, small piles in the form of stacks were used. Afterwards, the seed part of the flax was combed and ground. Then the stems were evenly laid out again on the dew. This was necessary so that as a result of microbiological processes the tape would separate faster. The roving tape served as the basis for the flax thread, and the fabric was woven from the thread. The flax plant gives the material a beige, brownish or light gray shade. But if the material made from flax is laid out and held in the sun, it will turn white. This feature is also successfully used in the manufacture of fabrics.
What is artificial flax
A little later, they started to make synthetic flax to cut costs. Artificial flax isn’t entirely organic. It can be identified by its color and weaker strength—such a thread burns differently. It won’t crumple even if you try to crumple a piece of fabric into a fist. The surface of the artificial version is not smooth. Additionally, it lacks a matte sheen.
Flax plant fibers are used to make linen fabric, which is renowned for its organic origin and breathable properties. Because of its environmental friendliness during production, moisture-wicking ability, and longevity, this fabric is highly prized. Warm weather clothing is often made of linen, which has a timeless, rustic appeal and a simple yet sturdy composition that provides comfort.
Manufacturing technology
The stacks are compressed and sent to production after the plant is processed. For collection, both single- and two-phase cleaning are employed. Grain and cereal crops are harvested using comparable techniques. After the yarn is used to create a lengthy roving tape, linen fabric is produced. The machine creates the fabric itself, and then it is dyed or bleached to finish the process. The final product is then applied in a variety of fields.
Properties of linen fabric
Linen is robust. The strength rises when it gets wet. The longevity of linen fabric is another advantageous quality. In addition, the fiber itself has antiseptic qualities and has a low degree of elasticity. This makes it possible to use the threads in surgical settings.
- hypoallergenic;
- not electrified;
- resistant to high temperatures;
- resistant to light;
- hygroscopic;
- easily wrinkled.
The fibers become unstable in alkaline solutions and resistant to acids. withstands temperatures of up to 170 °C.
Fabric made of linen has the ability to "shrink" or stretch. When sewing clothing, this should be considered.
Stretch or not
The fabric has some give to it. There are two things you need to do before bringing the fabric into the studio in order to prevent stretching. They consist of steaming and washing.
Classification by type of weave
Several weaves can be employed in the manufacturing process to produce various kinds of linen textiles. Plain weaves are the most common and easiest to use. In this kind of weave, the longitudinal and transverse threads overlap one another alternately. In addition, there are knitted, satin, patterned, openwork, and jacquard weaves. The hardest is the jacquard. There are more than twenty threads in this flax in the fabric. Jacquard holds its shape and shade flawlessly.
What is made from linen
Based solely on linen, the entire list of products cannot be ascertained. This special fabric is employed in almost every industry, including the manufacturing of clothing and medical supplies.
- clothing;
- bed linen;
- curtains;
- underwear;
- upholstery fabrics;
- towels.
There is still more on the list.
In the medical field, flax is still utilized to create self-absorbable threads and nets. Cotton canvases are prized by artists.
Bed linen
At least 95% of the material used to make bed linens should be linen. It is acceptable to choose a linen option with a minimal amount of synthetic material if the therapeutic effect is not the primary consideration. The bed linens will wrinkle less in this situation. It is most frequently mixed with cotton to make bed linens.
Types of weaving: plain or jacquard. The thinner the yarn, the better the quality of the product. Bed linen must necessarily include a shrinkage percentage. Softening is often used for bed linen. After this type of additional finishing, the material becomes softer. When selecting linen, you should take into account all the characteristics of the fabric. It is necessary to determine whether the linen is really of high quality or just looks like linen. The main attribute of such accessories is the price. A set of real, natural linen cannot be cheap. Bedding should have double seams and not have an unpleasant odor. The smell of paint should also not be felt. The fabric itself should be strong. Such bedding will not turn yellow over time and will please for years.
The Republic of Belarus is the industry leader in the production of linen bedding. Bedding made in Belarusian factories sells well and has a normal price-quality ratio.
Clothing fabrics
- damask;
- cambric;
- canvas;
- linen;
- kolomenok;
- rogozhka.
Fabrics made entirely of synthetic fiber are also utilized. Lavsan and linen are combined and sewed into dresses and suits. Lavsan makes up roughly 50% of the sample, and occasionally 60%. The product appears more beautiful thanks to the lavsan fibers. The antiseptic qualities won’t work as well in this situation. The material does not wrinkle when the lavsan content is high.
Adding viscose gives the appearance of silkiness. Melange-effect materials with openwork or relief patterns are in.
Care features
Items can be washed at high temperatures because the linen material resists heat. This holds true for materials that are white.
If any colorful components are present, you should set the washing temperature to no more than 60 ° C. The paint may "float," but the fabric won’t be harmed.
To prevent wrinkling, the product needs to be straightened after washing. The use of different types of bleach is not advised. Storage needs to be done in designated bags. The fabric will endure a long time if all conditions are satisfied.
Property | Description |
Composition | Linen fabric is made from the fibers of the flax plant, known for its natural strength and durability. |
Naturalness | Linen is a completely natural material, offering breathability and comfort, especially in warm climates. |
Production | The production process involves harvesting, retting, and spinning flax fibers into yarn, which is then woven into fabric. |
The natural composition and environmentally friendly production process of linen fabric make it unique. It is renowned for its breathability, toughness, and capacity to keep you cool in warm weather because it is made of flax fibers.
Linen is a popular material for apparel and home textiles because of its timeless appeal and practical qualities. Its distinct texture and inherent shine give any outfit a hint of refinement.
Given its many benefits, it’s easy to see why linen has been a favorite fabric for so many years. For people looking for clothing that combines style and substance, this material is a favorite due to its strength, comfort, and sustainability.