After many years of using linen as a raw material for fabric, it has ceased to be popular due to the fact that such a material is problematic to care for, rough to the touch and at the same time relatively expensive.
But today linen is in demand in the textile industry, and bed linen made from it is durable, practical and beautiful, and such products are far from the cheapest.
Fabric Features
Linen fabric is quite expensive, and this is due to production costs: the production of such material takes a lot of time and effort due to the properties of the plant itself.
To begin with, the fiber itself is extracted from the flax skin, and only after plain weaving does such raw material become suitable for making fabric.
It is interesting that many consider Ancient Rus' to be the birthplace of flax, but this plant came to us from Egypt and the countries of the Far East. After some time, such fabric, along with valuable furs, became the equivalent of money.
The fabric itself is quite rough to the touch, but not so rough as to cause obvious inconvenience; in addition, modern linen products after processing become softer and more pleasant to the touch.
The color of this fabric also attracts buyers: by its nature, flax is not a bright plant, and the fabric produced from it comes in soft brown and beige shades.
Over time, linen fabric lightens and becomes softer, and in some cases this is even appropriate. However, modern manufacturers are not interested in the fact that after some time the consumer receives faded products instead of purchased bright bed linen.
Adding starch helps to avoid this, but as a result the fabric does not last as long. Natural linen is easy to dye during the production process, and modern dyes make it possible to ensure that not a trace of the beige, “mousy” shades characteristic of linen fabric remains in the finished product.
Sewing masters love to work with this material, partly because embroidery with threads and beads looks very beautiful on it. This allows you to create exclusive and original sets of clothing and rich, unique bedding sets.
Currently, five types of linen fabric are used in textiles:
- Smooth or textured linen;
- Lightened;
- Clean (not used as often as it wrinkles easily);
- Thick linen with a relief texture;
- Light linen, which is most often used in sewing bed linen.
Description of the canvas
Blended flax is a material of a combined composition.
The fabric has a slightly rough texture, soft and pleasant to the touch. It has excellent vapor permeability and the ability to “breathe”. Initially, the material was made from linen and cotton fibers in a ratio of 50x50%. Modern industry offers different types of half-flax with a percentage of the main component from 30 to 80%. Cotton, viscose, polyester, elastane can be used as a companion. Silk and wool are used less frequently. Fabrics made from natural linen yarn are moderately stiff and require some care. Adding additional components to the threads changed the properties of the material.
Belarusian flax
Photo No. 2 Linen bed linen (Belarusian linen)
Linen from Belarus is a special fabric. For centuries, this material has been used in Belarus as a material for national costumes, and today the production of this fabric forms the basis of the textile industry of the republic.
Until now, Belarusian craftsmen carefully preserve the traditions of creating the famous towels, and in the conditions of the dominance of synthetic materials in the textile market, this flax has become especially valued, and not only beautiful clothes are sewn from it, but also practical, comfortable bedding sets.
It is noteworthy that during the era of the Soviet Union, this material was used mainly for technical purposes: for the manufacture of tarpaulins, bags, ropes, but now, when all this is easier and faster to make from synthetic materials, durable and practical Belarusian flax is used exclusively in textiles.
Kostroma region
Photo No. 4 Linen bed linen (classic)
Kostroma can be considered the “capital” of the production of linen products: for more than 800 years there has been production of products from this fabric, and currently the largest number of manufacturers of linen products is located in Kostroma, compared with others Russian cities.
According to its characteristics, Kostroma flax is considered to be of the highest quality, and the demand for it is quite large, so many manufacturers concentrated in one city do not compete with each other.
Application - what can be sewn
Half-linen products
Lightweight clothing for summer is made from cotton half-linen, and demi-season items are made from combined fabrics with viscose and polyester.
Textiles are widely used in the clothing industry. From half linen they sew:
- clothes for small children - caps, vests, diapers, blouses (linen in combination with cotton);
- sundresses, summer dresses;
- blouses, shirts, tunics, T-shirts;
- skirts, shorts, trousers;
- home clothes;
- duvet covers, pillowcases, sheets, PCB;
- shirts, pajamas;
- towels;
- curtains, curtains;
- tablecloths, napkins, kitchen utensils (potholders, aprons).
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
In addition to durability and practicality, the advantages of linen products and bed linen in particular include:
- The softness of the fabric makes the underwear pleasant to the body;
- A unique texture that arises from the characteristic knots of linen fabric;
- The ability of linen to retain heat at low temperatures, and in hot weather such linen, on the contrary, creates a feeling of coolness;
- Linen perfectly retains its shape and color, which means that the linen will serve you for many years.
Minuses
- The disadvantages of linen bed linen include the need to observe special drying conditions, otherwise the fabric will quickly “shrink.”
- Also, some are put off by the high price of such products, but, as you know, “the miser pays twice,” and it is better to buy a durable, high-quality set for a lot of money than to spend money on new and less durable sheets and pillowcases every year.
Properties
Linen is a dense material that some people find rough. Linen fabric has the following beneficial qualities:
- natural composition, environmentally friendly fiber - no chemical treatment occurs during cultivation;
- hygroscopic, quickly absorbs water and also dries quickly;
- high thermal conductivity, maintains body temperature in hot and cold weather;
- allows air to pass through, making it easy for the skin to breathe;
- durable, wear-resistant, not electrified;
- natural flax does not form pills;
- antibacterial effect on human skin, does not become moldy even with prolonged use;
- does not cause allergic reactions;
- due to its relief structure it creates a light massage effect.
Flaws:
- easily wrinkled, difficult to iron;
- shrinks when washed in hot water;
- poorly formed;
- It crumbles a lot on cuts.
Recommendations for selection
Photo No. 8 Linen bed linen (yin yang)
Choosing high-quality linen is not so difficult: you can immediately distinguish it by touch by identifying the characteristic knots on it.
Considering that it is almost impossible to counterfeit linen or reduce the cost of its production in order to sell low-quality bed linen at a high price, it is almost impossible to come across a fake.
When choosing, it is recommended to pay attention to the manufacturer. Linen bed linen is produced in large quantities not only in Russia, but also abroad, but imported sets of linen are several times more expensive due to the fact that they are decorated with hand embroidery.
But if you look, no less beautiful and high-quality products can be found from Russian manufacturers.
Consider the size of the laundry: Russian manufacturers adhere to the standards reflected in the table in this regard:
Care
There are tricks to caring for flax:
- The first three washes of a new set of linen bedding should be done separately from any other linen, as the linen will release its juices for some time. These juices can ruin other products, but after the third wash the concentration of such a natural component decreases to safe levels.
- Before ironing, linen should be slightly damp, otherwise it simply will not iron out.
- Try to choose powders with a minimum content of aggressive substances: despite the strength of flax, such components can reduce the service life of bed linen several times.
- It is better to dry linen in the traditional way, in the fresh air, but drying it in washing machines is acceptable if there is a program with air cooling.
Recommendations for care
To extend the life of linen blend products and maintain the attractiveness of things, you need to follow the care recommendations. It is unacceptable to wash items together with others, and it is imperative to pre-sort them by color.
Wash items made from semi-linen materials at a temperature not exceeding 30 - 40 degrees using mild detergents. White fabric can be bleached if necessary. Do not use products containing chlorine!
Dry in well-ventilated areas or in the open air, flattened, protected from direct sunlight.
Iron slightly damp items from the reverse side at an iron sole temperature of 130°C. Steaming is not recommended.
In case of heavy contamination, professional cleaning of products is acceptable.
Where can I buy
Photo No. 7 Linen bed linen (turquoise monogram)
Linen bed linen is almost impossible to find in regular stores, as it is quite expensive and at the same time belongs to the category “for everyone”: not everyone will agree to buy a set that is unattractive at first glance, but is beautiful significantly inferior to the more attractive satin or calico.
The best option is to order linen bed linen in an online store, where, depending on the manufacturer and size, the cost of one set will vary from 100 to 140 dollars.
Photo
Belarusian flax
exciting scarlet
and the sea has white sand
aerial classic
with guipure
pastel geometry
duvet cover with buttons turquoise monogram yin yang
