Information and Articles about Linen
The History of Linen Fabric
Linen is one of the oldest fabrics created by man, and it was the first made from plant fibers. A symbol of purity in ancient times, linen is also extremely durable as well as lightweight and comfortable.
Wearing clothing made of linen is like donning a bit of history, a direct connection stretching back over 5,000 years.
Where Linen Comes From
One of the earliest plants cultivated by man was flax, which grew wild from the Eastern Mediterranean to India. The skin of the stem produces a soft, flexible fiber that was and is still made into everything from cloth to rope.
The Egyptians
While fragments of linen have been found in Swiss lake dwellings dating from 8,000 B.C., the first recorded use of flax and linen manufacture comes from Egypt. Used to clothe both the living and the dead, linen used to wrap mummies has been found in perfect condition 2,500 years later.
The Hebrews
Linen was regarded as a special fabric, prized for its purity and cleanliness. There are many Biblical references to flax and to linen, and it was used for special clothing worn by priests entering the tabernacle.
- linen fabric
- bedding
- history of linen
- Volga Linen - Luxury Linen
- linen skirts
- linen material
- flax
- linen encase
- cotton
The Spread of Linen
Phoenician traders introduced flax to Ireland sometime before the birth of Christ. The Puritans brought the plant to North America. Linen was prized by many cultures because of its strength (two to three times stronger than cotton), its natural luster, and its absorbency, which wicks perspiration away from the skin and keeps the wearer cool.
Quilts: 1700 - 2010 At the V&A Shop - Victoria and Albert Museum
Indestructible Linen
Linen is highly resistant to insects and germs that normally break down vegetable matter. Comparisons of 6,000-year-old tomb wrappings at the British Museum to modern linen show them to be nearly identical, displaying little evidence of time or decay.
Contact Us For Chair Covers For Rent | Speciality Linens Manchester & London | Speciality Linens
Modern Linen
Linen today is an expensive fabric, more difficult to grow and weave than cotton, but it is still widely prized for tablecloths, sheets, high-end handkerchiefs, wallpaper, and canvas.