How Is Linen Produced?
20 Nov 2023
If you're reading this article, you're probably either incredibly curious or a linen fanatic like us.
Eco-friendly, comfortable and relevant textile has made its way onto magazine covers in recent years as the warm season arrives. In recent years, have you noticed that more and more brands have started offering cotton and it-inspired clothing and featuring it in their stores? When discussing linens, they often stand out as a symbol of comfort, elegance, and durability. No wonder, because this material is surprisingly pleasant in everyday wear, its texture attracts attention, it looks stylish and elegant, "behaves" malleable, and serves for a long time.
But just a few centuries ago, this fabric was mainly the reserve of kings and kings! How did this material become available and loved by so many? In the coming spring-summer season, linen does not lose its relevance, and today we will tell you what this fabric is, how to choose it and work with it correctly, what is sewn from it. Let's begin!
But just a few centuries ago, this fabric was mainly the reserve of kings and kings! How did this material become available and loved by so many? In the coming spring-summer season, linen does not lose its relevance, and today we will tell you what this fabric is, how to choose it and work with it correctly, what is sewn from it. Let's begin!
What Is Linen Fabric?
Flax is a plant-based fabric with a matte surface or a faint shiny gloss. Their composition is 80% cellulose. Long-stemmed flax has a long, thin stem and small, delicate blue flowers. The threads that come from it are five times stronger than cotton. Historians can't answer exactly who and when the fabric began to be produced, but its description is found in many ancient sources. It is known that in Egypt and the Middle East it was considered a sign of luxury. In Christianity, linen represents purity, so it is traditionally used to sew vestments.
To create a soft cloth, the raw material must go through different stages of processing. It is soaked, crumpled, flossed and combed. Today, these processes are automated, but small factories still have manual labor. Raw flax is fed to spinning machines, where it is used to make long fibers, which later became the basis for fabrics.
The natural linen color has a gray-beige shade. You often see it, for example, in interior textiles. And for clothing, it is dyed in any fashionable color. Modern technologies have increased the consumer qualities of a unique material. Basically, linen fabrics have a plain weave of threads. Visible changes in fabric structure speak of possible "additives."
Today these fabrics are in the market: linen with silk, with wool, with viscose, and even with elastane. The presence of other fibers in the fabric gives them additional properties – less wrinkling, noble shine, and elasticity. It has become one of the most popular eco-trends in the fashion industry.
To create a soft cloth, the raw material must go through different stages of processing. It is soaked, crumpled, flossed and combed. Today, these processes are automated, but small factories still have manual labor. Raw flax is fed to spinning machines, where it is used to make long fibers, which later became the basis for fabrics.
The natural linen color has a gray-beige shade. You often see it, for example, in interior textiles. And for clothing, it is dyed in any fashionable color. Modern technologies have increased the consumer qualities of a unique material. Basically, linen fabrics have a plain weave of threads. Visible changes in fabric structure speak of possible "additives."
Today these fabrics are in the market: linen with silk, with wool, with viscose, and even with elastane. The presence of other fibers in the fabric gives them additional properties – less wrinkling, noble shine, and elasticity. It has become one of the most popular eco-trends in the fashion industry.
History of Linen
No other material implies such a deep historical and cultural context. Flax is one of the oldest forms of crop in human history. Flax cloth was ancestrally highly prized, and the weight of flax was equaled to gold.
Flax is considered to be the very first type of cloth that humans learned to make. The first mentions in written Indian sources attribute its appearance to the 7th millennium BC. Presumably, annual flax originated in the Eastern Mediterranean. As a cultural plant flax was cultivated in the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) - it is VIII - III centuries BC. The first samples of linen fabric were found by archaeologists during excavations of an ancient settlement in Switzerland. The Egyptians knew that the composition of the cloth contains silica, which protects the fabric from bacteria. Therefore, the material was used for mummification and burial. Later, remnants of the cloth were found on the mummies of pharaohs from Egypt.
It is known that on the territory of modern Europe (Switzerland, Germany) flax was grown in the Stone and Bronze Ages - it was used mainly for making ropes and fishing nets.
The material was widely used in the Ancient East, Egypt, as well as in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. A special role in the history of linen processing belongs to the Egyptian Copts, who invented the woven technologies. At the time of Ancient Egypt and the heyday of Middle Eastern civilization, these fabrics were already made with the proper level of quality, getting thin but very strong and wear-resistant.
In the XI century this plant was used in a very diverse way. Linen cloth was used to make clothes, bedding, tablecloths, towels. Waste from yarn production was used for caulking of huts. The coarse fibers were used to make sails, ropes, nets, cords and many other things necessary for the common people. Seeds were used to produce oil. Dresses and shirts made of this textile were widespread in the villages, depending on the manufacture, divided into festive and everyday.
In India and China, flax as a spinning plant, and even more so as an oil plant, was introduced into culture earlier than cotton - more than 5 thousand years ago.
In the olden days, flax was often called northern silk. Our distant ancestors lovingly called this plant "the blue-eyed shoot of Mother Earth". Fields of blooming flax are a special, incredibly beautiful sight that literally mesmerizes.
Flax is considered to be the very first type of cloth that humans learned to make. The first mentions in written Indian sources attribute its appearance to the 7th millennium BC. Presumably, annual flax originated in the Eastern Mediterranean. As a cultural plant flax was cultivated in the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) - it is VIII - III centuries BC. The first samples of linen fabric were found by archaeologists during excavations of an ancient settlement in Switzerland. The Egyptians knew that the composition of the cloth contains silica, which protects the fabric from bacteria. Therefore, the material was used for mummification and burial. Later, remnants of the cloth were found on the mummies of pharaohs from Egypt.
It is known that on the territory of modern Europe (Switzerland, Germany) flax was grown in the Stone and Bronze Ages - it was used mainly for making ropes and fishing nets.
The material was widely used in the Ancient East, Egypt, as well as in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. A special role in the history of linen processing belongs to the Egyptian Copts, who invented the woven technologies. At the time of Ancient Egypt and the heyday of Middle Eastern civilization, these fabrics were already made with the proper level of quality, getting thin but very strong and wear-resistant.
In the XI century this plant was used in a very diverse way. Linen cloth was used to make clothes, bedding, tablecloths, towels. Waste from yarn production was used for caulking of huts. The coarse fibers were used to make sails, ropes, nets, cords and many other things necessary for the common people. Seeds were used to produce oil. Dresses and shirts made of this textile were widespread in the villages, depending on the manufacture, divided into festive and everyday.
In India and China, flax as a spinning plant, and even more so as an oil plant, was introduced into culture earlier than cotton - more than 5 thousand years ago.
In the olden days, flax was often called northern silk. Our distant ancestors lovingly called this plant "the blue-eyed shoot of Mother Earth". Fields of blooming flax are a special, incredibly beautiful sight that literally mesmerizes.
How Is Linen Fabric Made?
Not everyone knows about how linen is produced, but it is the most popular fabric, which is used not only for sewing summer clothes, but also for products such as bed textiles, nowadays consumers are becoming more and more conscious and a large number of people prefer to buy goods made of natural materials, which are distinguished not only by their presentable appearance, but also by high quality characteristics.
For 10000 years mankind has known flax, grows it, uses it in textile production. The production of linen fabrics over the centuries passes through 4 main stages:
1️⃣Planting, growing, and harvesting.Planting flax: At the beginning of the process, flax is planted in the fields. Flax is sown in the spring when the soil reaches a certain temperature. Flax has a short growth period, so it needs ideal conditions for growth and development. After the flax has grown and reached maturity, it is harvested. Harvesting is done manually or with special equipment. The flax is cut and left on the field to dry.
2️⃣Fiber separation. After the flax stalks are harvested, they are processed by a machine that removes the leaves and seeds. The fibrous outer stalk is then separated from the soft woody inner part. This process is called "soaking" and if not done professionally, the fine fibers of flax used for textile production can be damaged.
After "soaking," the stalks are passed between two metal rollers, which separates the unusable outer fibers from the inner fibers. When the inner fibers are separated, they can be combed into long, thin strands.
3️⃣Spinning. This process used to be done with a pedal-powered wheel, but these days flax producers use industrial machines. The short fibers of flax are spun together using special devices. The resulting yarn is wound on a bobbin. To ensure that the linen yarn does not fall apart, the winding process must be carried out under humid conditions.
4️⃣Linen textiles. After the fabric has been woven, it undergoes final processing. Usually, the fabric goes through the process of bleaching and dyeing to give it the desired color and shade. Also, the fabric may be treated to make it softer and more comfortable to wear.The resulting yarn is used to create fabric, and from it, quality natural textiles. Natural fibers bedding, curtains, tablecloths and towels, clothing, interior accessories, etc. - all these products are created by brands that appreciate high quality and natural material, which for all its wonderful properties does not harm the environment.
These are the main stages of linen production. Each stage requires certain skills and specialized equipment to perform. The result is a high-quality and durable material that is used for the production of clothing, textiles, and other products.
For 10000 years mankind has known flax, grows it, uses it in textile production. The production of linen fabrics over the centuries passes through 4 main stages:
1️⃣Planting, growing, and harvesting.Planting flax: At the beginning of the process, flax is planted in the fields. Flax is sown in the spring when the soil reaches a certain temperature. Flax has a short growth period, so it needs ideal conditions for growth and development. After the flax has grown and reached maturity, it is harvested. Harvesting is done manually or with special equipment. The flax is cut and left on the field to dry.
2️⃣Fiber separation. After the flax stalks are harvested, they are processed by a machine that removes the leaves and seeds. The fibrous outer stalk is then separated from the soft woody inner part. This process is called "soaking" and if not done professionally, the fine fibers of flax used for textile production can be damaged.
After "soaking," the stalks are passed between two metal rollers, which separates the unusable outer fibers from the inner fibers. When the inner fibers are separated, they can be combed into long, thin strands.
3️⃣Spinning. This process used to be done with a pedal-powered wheel, but these days flax producers use industrial machines. The short fibers of flax are spun together using special devices. The resulting yarn is wound on a bobbin. To ensure that the linen yarn does not fall apart, the winding process must be carried out under humid conditions.
4️⃣Linen textiles. After the fabric has been woven, it undergoes final processing. Usually, the fabric goes through the process of bleaching and dyeing to give it the desired color and shade. Also, the fabric may be treated to make it softer and more comfortable to wear.The resulting yarn is used to create fabric, and from it, quality natural textiles. Natural fibers bedding, curtains, tablecloths and towels, clothing, interior accessories, etc. - all these products are created by brands that appreciate high quality and natural material, which for all its wonderful properties does not harm the environment.
These are the main stages of linen production. Each stage requires certain skills and specialized equipment to perform. The result is a high-quality and durable material that is used for the production of clothing, textiles, and other products.
What Are the Characteristics of Linen?
Flax has been valued for centuries because of its unique characteristics.
Eco-friendliness of the textile, which is made from natural plant fibers of long-staple flax. It does not need additional watering, chemical treatments against diseases and pests. Production of linen fabric is waste-free, the remains of raw materials are used for hemp, cellulose, oil.
High strength, wear resistance, light fastness of such material.
Increased hygroscopicity. Flax perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture. That is why clothes made of it are considered the best for hot days.
The material does not accumulate static electricity, does not cause irritation.
The fabric is perfectly permeable to air. The body breathes in linen clothes, on such bedding it is comfortable to sleep in the summer.
Natural fibers don't pile up over time. Many people have probably faced the problem of so-called "lint", which appears on clothes and spoils its appearance. The greatest pillinguemosti, i.e. the tendency of the fabric to form on the surface of the pills – "lint" has fabrics using synthetic fibers and textured yarns. Pilling-ability also depends on yarn twist, type of weave, and other factors. Cotton and semi-linen fabrics have the least pilling capacity. 100% linen is free of this disadvantage.
There is another amazing quality of this fabric – its hypoallergenicity and pronounced antibacterial effect.The unique antiseptic properties of linen have been known since ancient times, and once it was used to make bandages for bandaging. In natural fibersthis cloth wrapped just born babies, because it stops the multiplication of microorganisms and bacteria.
Many consumers, who are not very familiar with fabrics, are concerned about how to identify linen fabrics. After all, the texture of these fibers can be faked, and under the guise of a unique natural fabric, a person can buy ordinary cotton or even cheap synthetics without even realizing it. There are several signs by which you can easily distinguish natural linen fabric from a fake:
It is cool to touch, it can be felt in comparison with other types of matter;
They are most often dyed in natural calm shades (but there are exceptions – dark or very bright colors);
It is perfectly wrinkled in the hands, its wrinkling visible to the naked eye;
if you set fire to the linen thread, it should remain only ash, without a lump - if there is a lump, it means that the composition is synthetic.
These simple rules will help you choose a natural quality natural fabric.
Eco-friendliness of the textile, which is made from natural plant fibers of long-staple flax. It does not need additional watering, chemical treatments against diseases and pests. Production of linen fabric is waste-free, the remains of raw materials are used for hemp, cellulose, oil.
High strength, wear resistance, light fastness of such material.
Increased hygroscopicity. Flax perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture. That is why clothes made of it are considered the best for hot days.
The material does not accumulate static electricity, does not cause irritation.
The fabric is perfectly permeable to air. The body breathes in linen clothes, on such bedding it is comfortable to sleep in the summer.
Natural fibers don't pile up over time. Many people have probably faced the problem of so-called "lint", which appears on clothes and spoils its appearance. The greatest pillinguemosti, i.e. the tendency of the fabric to form on the surface of the pills – "lint" has fabrics using synthetic fibers and textured yarns. Pilling-ability also depends on yarn twist, type of weave, and other factors. Cotton and semi-linen fabrics have the least pilling capacity. 100% linen is free of this disadvantage.
There is another amazing quality of this fabric – its hypoallergenicity and pronounced antibacterial effect.The unique antiseptic properties of linen have been known since ancient times, and once it was used to make bandages for bandaging. In natural fibersthis cloth wrapped just born babies, because it stops the multiplication of microorganisms and bacteria.
Many consumers, who are not very familiar with fabrics, are concerned about how to identify linen fabrics. After all, the texture of these fibers can be faked, and under the guise of a unique natural fabric, a person can buy ordinary cotton or even cheap synthetics without even realizing it. There are several signs by which you can easily distinguish natural linen fabric from a fake:
It is cool to touch, it can be felt in comparison with other types of matter;
They are most often dyed in natural calm shades (but there are exceptions – dark or very bright colors);
It is perfectly wrinkled in the hands, its wrinkling visible to the naked eye;
if you set fire to the linen thread, it should remain only ash, without a lump - if there is a lump, it means that the composition is synthetic.
These simple rules will help you choose a natural quality natural fabric.
previous post
