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WHAT IS LINEN FABRIC HISTORY
Throughout history Linen was considered a luxurious fabric. The first time it was discovered in Egypt 7000 before the common, and 4000 BC in a Swiss lake in Europe. Producing linen cloth from flax required hard work, therefore not everyone was able to afford it. Sometimes linen was used even as a currency. We know that Egyptians traded with Phoenicians, for this reason, linen fabric reached Ireland and other EU countries, and later the rest of the world. Linen has been used for clothing bedsheets, napkins, households, etc. Historically, people thought that linen has protective powers against witchcraft, black magic, and spells. Moreover, we see linen fabric being mentioned in the Bible where Christ wore linen cloth by laying on his tomb.
How linen fabric is made
Linen fabric comes from fibers of the flax plant. Turning flax into linen is a long and convoluted journey. There are ten steps in the process:
- Sowing flax seed in April.
- The flax plant grows for about 3 months. After reaching maturity, traditionally the plant is pulled up by the roots and then dried.
- Seed removing (a process known as rippling).
- Soaking for about 2 weeks in water.
- Spread and dry.
- Flax lifted and bundled.
- Breaking process where the bundles of flax are crushed and the woody material is broken up.
- Crimping process. The second is scutching or swingling, where the fibers are vigorously whacked with a wooden blade to remove the remaining wood.
- Brushing process. The fiber is hetcheled or hackled by drawing the fibers through a set of sharp tines.
- Finally, the linen spinning process. At this point, the fibers are spun into thread and subsequently woven into cloth. Then they can be bleached or dyed.
Where does linen flax grow
Linen seeds mostly grow in the moist cool climates of Northern and Middle Europe. Mainly Belgium, France, Holland, Eastern Europe (Baltic countries). Our store usually uses Baltic linen fabric which is OEKO-TEX certificated.
Linen fabric benefits
If you ever tried to wear linen clothing, you know that linen has a lot of great advantages when the weather gets warmer. But do you know that linen offers many more great benefits? Here are the top main reasons why you should love linen fabric.
- Linen clothes are highly absorbent
- Linen clothing has great thermoregulation
- Linen is hypoallergenic
- Linen is anti-static
- Linen protects from UV
- Linen clothing is eco-friendly
Linen clothes are highly absorbent
Linen can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture. By wearing linen clothes on a warm day you will feel cooler because of the natural flax fiber structure from which linen is made. Flax fiber is hollow and absorbs water well, so it quickly removes sweat from your body and also releases it back into the air. For this reason, linen will make you feel comfortable even on hot days.
Linen clothing has great thermoregulation
As mentioned before, linen has great thermoregulation in warm months. But did you know that it also has a warming effect in cool weather too? If you have allergic or sensitive skin then wool clothing probably isn’t a good choice for you in the cold season. Linen clothes could also retain the heat and prevent the body from cooling. The secret lies in the way flax fiber is structured with hollows which helps you keep warm.
Linen is hypoallergenic
Linen clothing has so many great benefits and one of them is hypoallergenic – meaning that linen doesn’t cause allergies. If your skin is sensitive and has an allergic reaction then linen will fit you perfectly. Our linen items have OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification that guarantees it is safe to use and skin-friendly even for babies.
Linen is anti-static
Linen clothing does not collect static electricity. Moreover, it can reduce static in a person’s body, meaning unlike other materials such as satin, wool, for instance, it won’t cling to your body.
Linen protects from UV
One more benefit is that linen clothing reduces gamma radiation by about 50% and works as a protective shield against solar radiation.
Linen clothing is eco-friendly
Did you know that linen fabric is the second strongest fabric after silk and that it’s about 30% stronger than cotton? Also, as we mentioned previously, linen is made from the flax plant, organic, blue-flowered plants that mostly grow in Northern Europe. These facts let us have more durable/ longer life fabric and help us to be more minimalistic/sustainable by keeping our environment greener.