When was linen first used

The fibers do not stretch but because of this very low elasticity, the fabric will eventually break if it is folded and ironed at the same place constantly. History of linen use goes back many thousands of years. Dyed flax fibers are found in a prehistoric cave in Georgia which is evidence that woven linen fabrics from wild flax were used some 36, years ago. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns, and various types of fabrics have also been found in Swiss lake dwellings that date from BC.

In ancient Egypt linen was used for mummification and for burial shrouds because it symbolized light and purity as well as wealth. Linen was so valued in ancient Egypt that it was used as currency in some cases.

Linen was also produced in ancient Mesopotamia and reserved for higher classes. Much of it was farmed by the women's land armies and made a major contribution to the war effort.

Over the past few years, linen has enjoyed a renaissance and flax is now grown all over the world, from Ireland to Russia. High thread-count cotton is no longer the only choice for fine bedlinen, with the relaxed, softly rumpled look of linen rising in popularity. The same qualities have led to its re-emergence as a fashion fabric. Another characteristic that makes linen relevant for today is its low impact on the environment. Flax requires no irrigation or chemical treatments; it is biodegradable and every part of the plant is used, whether for food flaxseeds and linseed oil or by-products paper, chipboard and building materials.

The Romans christened the flax plant Linum usitatissimum: most useful flax. It still deserves the name. Winners will be selected at random and announced on Friday 4th May, 12pm. All comments are moderated. Published comments will show your name but not your email.

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How to sew knit fabric Every sewing project calls for different skills, tools and fabrics. Ireland helped import linen into America to help with textile demand, solidifying Belfast as 'Linenopolis'. The word 'linen' comes from the Latin word for the flax plant, 'linum'. It evolved from there to referring to the fiber to the fabric.

Because of its widespread use in bed sheets and table cloths, the word also is used as a catchall for these textiles. We also get linings and lingerie from linen. As you might guess, this is because clothes were often sewn with an inner layer of linen fabric and undergarments were commonly made using linen. Several other words also derive from linen.

In linen production, two types of linen fibers are separated from each other: the shorter fibers are referred to as the 'tow' and often used in strenuous applications like burlap. The longer fibers of linen are known as the 'line', which is where we get the word from. These long staples were used to determine a straight line and are the better quality fibers. Ancient Egyptians may have used linen as a form of currency long ago, but the practice is still something that occurs in the modern era.

The United States uses linen fibers in its paper currency. Libeco is a Belgian brand that produces high-end bedding and home goods using Belgian linen. If you're looking to upgrade your bedding, add a luxurious touch to the kitchen, you couldn't do much better than this. Learn More. Direct-to-consumer brand Brooklinen is a great way to up your home life with linen, without a hefty price tag. The brand doesn't limit itself to just linen the textile and the bedding , but also offers loungewear and cotton options, too.

Because linen is several times stronger than cotton, it take longer to break down and become soft. That's why vintage linens are highly desirable. You can find antique French linen textiles from over a hundred years ago still in great condition. Many brands shift their collections in the spring and summer to include linen.