LINEN FABRIC

Linen Fabric

Linen Fabric

Introduction

Traditionally linen has been used in the production of either relatively simple woven fabrics such as sheeting, towel, camric, sheers, drills and ducks or highly complex fabrics such as damasks. Industrial use includes filter cloth and canvas. (Bender, 1992) This has been in tune with the greater use of linen in apparel market that is more fashion oriented than the traditional market. It is important that the weaver chooses the appropriate yarn for each specific fabric type.

Historical Background

Linen is one of the earliest products known to civilization. Long-term history, a man stood, built himself a permanent town, and cultivated the land. One of the products of the soil was flax, and out of the linen fiber, flax was carried out. Linen is, therefore, the earliest known vegetable fabric to be woven. (Oelke, 1987)

This feature is often associated with linen yarn is the presence of "slubs", or small knots that occur randomly along. However, these are actual defects associated with low quality. The finest linen has a very consistent diameter with no slubs. Linen fabrics have a high natural luster and their natural colour ranges between shades of ivory, tan or grey. Although not good for the fabric, pure white linen is created by heavy bleaching. (Oelke, 1987)

Typically, linen has a thick/thin character with a crisp and textured feel to it, but it can range from stiff and rough to soft and smooth. When properly prepared, linen has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. It can even gain up to 20% moisture without feeling damp. It is highly absorbent and will quickly remove perspiration from the skin. As it is a stiffer fabric it is less likely to cling to the skin and when it billows away it tends to dry out and become ...