LEN – everything you need to know

Linen – what is this fabric and how is it made?

Linen is a 100% natural obtained from the stems of a plant called Common Flax (Linum usitatissimum) .
This plant has been used for centuries to make clothes. The oldest flax fibers found date back to 35,000 years ago. years. In ancient Egypt, fabrics sewn from this fiber were so valuable that they were used as currency. The process of making linen fabrics is long and laborious , therefore it must cost a lot.

.

The flax production process is as follows:

• When the plant matures, it is pulled out of the ground together with the roots and subjected to a natural drying process in the sun.
• After about a week, the stems are separated from the seeds. The empty stems are soaked in water for several days to loosen the glued fibers. During this aging in water, the plants are turned several times.
• The next step is drying for several days. After this time, the stems are broken to separate them from the fibres.
• The fibers that are left are sorted by quality and length. Then they are combed and prepared for spinning threads from them.
• Linen fabric is then woven from the threads created in this way.

Linen is a 100% natural obtained from the stems of a plant called Common Flax (Linum usitatissimum) .
This plant has been used for centuries to make clothes. The oldest flax fibers found date back to 35,000 years ago. years. In ancient Egypt, fabrics sewn from this fiber were so valuable that they were used as currency. The process of making linen fabrics is long and laborious , therefore it must cost a lot.

a lot of time and patience to make a linen fabric . Several months pass from sowing a plant to making a fabric out of it. Also, working with linen is not easy. Linen thread is not elastic, so it is easy to break it when spinning.

Linen was very willingly used in the textile industry until the invention of cheap ways to produce cotton and polyester fabrics. Linen was almost completely displaced, because the production of fabrics from this raw material could not be accelerated. Today we are seeing a return to sewing with this wonderful material that has amazing properties.

What are the benefits of linen? How is it different from cotton?  

• The cultivation of this fabric is almost 100 % organic . This means that no additional fertilizers or artificial irrigation are used in its production. Flax grows on wasteland , it does not need particularly good soil conditions or abundant watering for good growth. Of course, large crops are not neutral to the environment, but they certainly use much less water and plant protection products than, for example, cotton plantations.
• Nothing is wasted here .
  The plant after harvesting is basically used in 100%. Plant parts not used for the production of yarn are used in road construction or for the production of pipe sealants.
• Linen fabric is 100% biodegradable . If you put a linen garment in the ground, it will decompose within 3 weeks!
• Flax has been known on Polish lands since ancient times. It comes from Egypt, but settled in Central Europe before our era. So we can say that it is our native plant . So it does not require long-distance transport , Polish producers have it on site.

• Linen is durable . Repeated washing will not damage the structure. It is resistant to friction and stretching , it does not deform under the influence of use, as sometimes cotton does.
• Flax has been known on Polish lands since ancient times. It comes from Egypt, but settled in Central Europe before our era. So we can say that it is our native plant . So it does not require long-distance transport , Polish producers have it on site.
• Undyed linen is very resistant to high temperatures . You can even cook it in a pot and it will not lose its properties. Therefore, it is perfect for bedding, tablecloths or cloths. So it is an investment for years.
• As for bedding, research shows that sleeping in linen pillowcases improves sleep quality .
  Linen is very hygienic due to its absorbent properties. This means that it absorbs sweat and immediately evaporates it to the outside . There is no moisture on the fabric and the skin can breathe . In addition, it has bactericidal properties and creates an ideal microclimate with the skin.
• It is also hypoallergenic, thanks to which even the greatest allergy sufferers will feel relief wearing linen fabrics.
• Linen fibers are smooth so they do not get dirty so easily . When heavily soiled, it is enough to soak them in water for about 1 hour and then wash them in the washing machine. There will be no trace of the stain.
• They do not electrify , breathe, have a cool grip, so they give a pleasant relief in the summer.
• Linen retains heat close to the body , so it will also work great on colder days. Thicker weights of linen will also be suitable for clothing for the winter season.

The only disadvantage of linen that many people give as an argument against this fabric is its creasing.
Yes, linen creases, this is its characteristic feature .
This may bother many people, I was once one of them. However, if we change our approach and notice the charm of these subtle creases , irregular texture, natural form, we will appreciate linen as it is.
Due to the fact that linen has natural creases on it, the fabric is not flat, it is as if fleshy, free .
It may not be suitable for an office suit, but it is most suitable for a spring or summer dress. The sight and touch of this fabric is soothing, as if you were transporting your imagination to summer meadows full of flowers and butterflies .
Give yourself a chance to fall in love with this fabric. Because whoever tries and buys a linen garment once will not want to wear anything else. Try it and see for yourself 😉

Anna