Linen

Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. It is laborious to manufacture, but the fiber is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot and humid weather.

History

The history of linen is as old as the history of man. The use of linen was already known in prehistoric times. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns, and various types of fabrics dating to about 8000 BC have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Dyed flax fibers found in a cave in Georgia suggest the use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date back even earlier to 36,000 BP.

Production

Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibers that grow inside of the stalks of the flax plant, or Linum usitatissimum, one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history.

Uses

Linen is used in a wide range of products from bed and bath fabrics, home and commercial furnishing items, apparel items to industrial products. It has a very cool and fresh feel making it suitable for clothing and for sheets in hot weather.

See also

• Cotton
• Silk
• Wool

Linen Resources
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