Linen is a material that is produced by combing out the flax plant after it has dried. It does not lose its popularity along with cotton, although it costs more. Many people wonder why and for what it is so valued, because the days when people lived in villages and sowed the fields with flax themselves, collected it and made clothes out of it, and also sold the surplus, have passed. Now we see ready-made linen products on the shelves - clothes, home textiles, which differ in price and characteristics.
Linen fabric and fiber manufacturing method
For the production of high-quality home textiles and clothes from flax, it is necessary to use as long fiber as possible as a raw material, therefore flax varieties with a height of 70 to 120 cm are grown for these purposes. After ripening, flax plants are collected in sheaves and left in the field to dry completely and the so-called ripening. Under the influence of soil bacteria, primary stratification and softening of the rigid outer shell occurs. Next, the flax straw is removed from the seeds, then soaked and softened even more by active scuttling to separate soft fibers from hard skeletons and foreign inclusions. After these manipulations, a long-fiber filling is obtained - linen for pillows, blankets, mattress toppers. For the production of fabrics, the fibers are twisted together to form threads, and then they are woven in the necessary way. For the manufacture of dyed materials, linen fibers are first bleached, and then the fabrics are dyed in one of the following types: plain dye, printed, digital.
Linen is one of the most organic and sustainable materials
This is due to a number of factors:
- during growth and maturation, flax plants are not treated with harmful chemicals, since flax is practically not susceptible to diseases, and is also not picky about the composition of the soil.
- no chemical reagents are used in the production of fiber, since nature itself separates the rough outer shell from the soft inner fibers under the influence of soil microorganisms during the drying of the sheaves;
Useful properties of linen fabric, as well as characteristics
- the most important thing is high environmental friendliness and completely organic both cultivation and production method;
- lack of harmful substances in the composition;
- high hygroscopicity, which is more than 40% higher than that of cotton fabrics;
- natural unprocessed fabrics of a grayish-brown color have a high antibacterial effect, because of this, linen is recommended to be used for medical purposes, as bed linen, as well as in the form of underwear and clothing;
- high levels of air permeability, due to which the body is actively saturated with oxygen;
- high-density fabric with characteristic irregularities in the structure, matte;
- very wear-resistant, has high abrasion resistance;
- has the properties of strongly creasing;
- withstands frequent washing at high temperatures, as well as ironing;
Types of linen fabric
Depending on the scope of application, various impurities, both synthetic and natural, such as cotton and viscose, are added to the material, and the density also varies.
Linen fabric is 100% linen, with an average weight of 143g / m2, which is used for sewing blouses, summer clothes, as well as high quality bed linen.
With embroidery 70% linen, 30% cotton, density - 114g / m2, it is quite transparent.
High-quality linen fabric, 100% linen, density 189g / m2, shines a little in the light, used for sewing summer clothes, as well as home textiles.
50% linen, 50% cotton, density 171g / m2, light suits, skirts, trousers, home textiles are sewn.
A new type of eco-friendly tandem: 50% linen, 50% sprinkling, 120g / m2. Very thin, high-tech and at the same time completely natural material, they sew very beautiful clothes.
50% linen, 50% cotton, high density - 213g / m2, has a slight sheen, characteristic texture unevenness, pleasant to the touch, high strength.
Very beautiful fabric with gloss: 30% linen, 65%% viscose, 5% nitron, not translucent.
30% linen, 30% viscose, 40% acetate, medium weight 151g / m2
60% linen, 40% viscose, density - 178g / m2, has a light shine and beautiful structure, can be used for sewing bed linen, home textiles and high-quality clothing.
Stretch linen, composition - 40% linen, 46% cotton, 10% nylon, 4% elastane, does not shine through, practically does not wrinkle, beautifully fits the curves of the body.
Linen-like fabric, 100% cotton, the structure of linen fabric is imitated due to the high density of 195gr / m2.
Another imitation of linen fabric with a jacquard structure, 80% cotton, 20% nylon, medium weight 136g / m2, original looks, quite comfortable.
Linen gabardine is a fairly dense fabric, which is currently made with a composition of 50% linen, 50% polyester, up to 100% polyester with full preservation of the structure of the fabric, so it is very difficult to distinguish in appearance, just by touch or by reading the composition on the label. as well as the shine of the polyester fibers in the light. Pictured is linen gabardine made of 100% polyester.
Also imitation of flax, the so-called len-salsa, is made of 100% polyester, summer clothes are sewn - dresses, suits, sundresses.
Another linen-like fabric with a composition of 78% polyester, 20% nylon, 2% elastane.
Linseed fiber is a natural material that is obtained from the core of the plant of the same name by softening and combing it out. Used as a filler in blankets and pillows.
Flax fiber properties
- completely natural and environmentally friendly;
- hypoallergenic and safe;
- does not support and, moreover, prevents the colonization and reproduction of pathogens and bacteria;
- absorbs moisture better than cotton by more than 40%, so the use of blankets and pillows with this filler is very comfortable;
- perfectly allows air to pass through, due to which the body is fully saturated with oxygen during sleep, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of sleep;
- a blanket with linen filling has a weight that contributes to a comfortable fall asleep, as well as the restoration of psychological calm and balance after working stressful situations.
