The majority of us still have very common attitude towards linen fabrics. We imagine linen as hard, rough, tough cloth in flax color, at best, white, that is used for sewing bags and maybe kitchen towels. It used to be when grandmothers have been young girls. But over 20th century linen manufacturing companies grew and expanded rapidly. Weaving technologies improved, and most of the companies specialized in fashion and home textile industry. Linen fabrics changed totally. And now, in 21st century, there exists tremendous variety of linen fabrics which makes this material even more unique.

In this article, we will run through some characteristics of linen fabrics which make it idiosyncratic. You will get to believe that it is really amazing.

First - variety of qualities. Fabrics can be weaved in different textures, weights and densities. Ones can be light and transparent as fuzz others stronger, heavier and thicker. Fabrics can be heavy but sparse itself, as well as light but dense. It depends on yarns thickness and position when weaving. Here comes diverse use of fabrics - ones are perfect for curtains, clothes, accessories, others - for table linen, kitchen linen, upholstery and more.

Second - color options. As mentioned at the beginning it is incorrect to think that linen is just white and flax. Nowadays when using special approved dyes for yarns and fabrics it is possible to get almost any shade in the world. From black to wine red, aqua blue, orange or salad bowl. Just use your imagination. Invoking different dyed yarns combinations textile company’s weave different shade fabrics, for example, red + blue = purple or red + yellow = orange. PES can be added to get shining silver or gold accent. Jeans effect, mélange - everything is possible with linen. Fabrics can be piece - dyed in any color shade too.

Third - pattern designs. Here comes the most interesting part. Special weaving techniques let to get simple as well as complex patterns. From small peas, herringbone, rhombs, checks, small chains to impressive jacquard patterns - flowers, scenes, lettering. Fabrics can be double - sided. For example, small pink - purple checks on one side and blue peas on purple background on another. Wonderful, as you can wear it depending on your mood.

After integrating all these properties unique linen fabrics can be created for different uses.

Yours,
T.

Spring finally came. The park, which surrounds our company – yes, we are blessed to work in such a wonderful environment – is full of marvelous bird tweets. Every voice is different, unique and they come into one wonderful symphony altogether. And now, some flyers are playing beyond my window. Amazing..

It’s a relaxing time when all of us recover from a long, cold and dark winter. And search for something new, light, fresh and different. Why it couldn’t be linen? Let’s talk a bit about linen advantages. Yesterday I spent whole afternoon seeking for it. And it was soo worth it! I knew some but never imagined that the list is way longer.

The advantages of linen:

1) Reducing perspiration (like my teacher used to say: “men sweat, women perspire” (grin)). When wearing linen clothes perspiration is up to 1.5 times lower than wearing cotton clothes and twice lower than wearing viscose.

2) Warming up in cool and cooling in hot days because of a linen property to absorb temperature fluctuations. Linen maintains right microclimate between human’s body and a cloth.

3) Most effective of all fabrics in absorbing moisture. Linen doesn’t look moist even when absorbed moisture compounds 1/5 of its weight. Moisture evaporates very quickly from linen and you feel freshness and comfort all the time.

4) Antiallergic. Has strong impact against bacteria and fungus. You can avoid common rash yet fungous or chronic eczemas when wearing pure linen clothes.

5) Most favourable material for bed linen. Linen bed sheets diffuses moisture equally, maintains stable body temperature, summarizing – gives comfort to men’s sleep. According Japanese researchers study results bed-ridden patients do not develop bedsores where linen bed sheets are used.

6) Linen cloth does not accumulate static electricity - even a small addition of flax fibers (up to 10%) to a cloth is enough to eliminate the static electricity effect.

7) Lasting and durable. Characterizes in high resistance to friction and stretching (3 times more than cotton). Does not fray and tear for long even when wore frequently.

8) Easy to care. Can be laundered in hot water, may be boiled (white) and dried in the sun, besides they may be hot-ironed.

9) More you use linen it gets softer and milder.

10) Do not need to be explained what beautiful and stylish linen products are (garments, accessories, home textile). You just need to take a look at Linen Fashion offers.

Nice... But it is not over for sure. Reading various articles and other material you could find much more good advantages of linen. Try to find it, it’s really interesting. And... Enjoy the spring!

Yours,

T.

Seems such a simple word “bedspread”. And the the use of it appears to be just ordinary. It is something soft you can spread on your bed to look it cozy and comfortable. Would you tell that, when asked?  Yes, I guess so. And you know -  you are right. Bedroom looks homey, warm and ordered when there lies fluffy and soft linen bedspread.

But now, close your eyes, relax and imagine: beautiful sunset. You sit in a wooden porch, having glass of white wine and watch the sun hiding beyond the forest. The day was warm but the evening  gets wet and chilly. Soft linen bedspread you wrapped yourself helps you stay warm and protected.

Or try this - picnic with your lover in a park. Green grass, soughing maples around, delicious meal . You’re both barefooted lying on a bedspread and your toes feel that pleasant pure  linen touch.

It’s a great idea for camping when the nights get colder, spending time at the beach. Your cat would also enjoy lying on it in a living room. Plenty of uses, smooth colors. More you use, linen gets softer and softer. Just be creative.

Linen bedspread collections

Yours,

T.

First day at the international home textile exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany. You are welcome to visit us :)

The planet is finishing year 2010. Thousands of works we did, millions of thoughts, connections, words, drank cups of teas and coffees. Every day, minute, second was special somehow - good or bad either as it was a small piece of huge and colorful mosaic, mosaic of life… We should be happy that we are part of this wonderful world, full of smells, tastes, structures.

Wish, that everyone this Christmas morning would find special gift, wrapped in a magic paper. It should be not under the Christmas tree but in your heart. Inside you would find pure sincerity, warmth, peace and well. The only one requirement for this gift would be - sharing everything what’s inside with people around. You should see that whole coming year would be different then…

Linen Fashion wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Meaningful New 2011 Year! Remember, the most marvelous things are around you.

Yours,

T.

Just like the song…It’s Christmas time… Yes, you can already hear jingling bells somewhere near. Mad time before holidays – everybody’s running, hurrying, thinking about home decorations, candles, ginger pies with raisins & nuts, hot wine, gifts for family and friends. Rush, rush, rush… No time for thinking or staying just with your thoughts.

Calm down, please. There is no purpose to burden yourself. Most of things you need for decorations, table and gifts you will find at www.linenfashion.com. The new table linen collections – “Holiday”, “Flame”, “Snowflakes” and “Sparkish” agrees this Holiday season color tendencies, where dominate blue shades, berry colors, combined with white and silver shades. If you love traditions – don’t worry, you will find something red, brown, with golden or silver accents as well as red-green-white checks ( watch the “Checks” collection) which says : ”Welcome to an old sweet home”.

If you want something special for your mom or grandmother – check out new bed linen collections that are coming soon. Natural and soft bed linen will warm up your beloved ones during cold winter nights. Cozy and soft plaids made of washed fabrics – the best choice to roll up yourself when sitting with a book or cup of tea.

What for friends? Those lovely, funky people you love to spend your free time with. Yes, the answer is, “Butterfly” shawls collection that just came. Variety of colors – green, light green, turquoise, light turquoise, light yellow, pink and red. Soft, warm, lively and youthful. What could be better?

After all gifts are ready, don’t forget to pick something for yourself. It could be lovely bath-sauna towels. Friendly and healthy to your body. Relax, everything is ready. It’s Christmas. Enjoy! Be happy.

Yours,

T.

Be Linen – movie by Benoit Millot with English subtitles that introduces all the stages of Linen way - sowing, pulling, retting, scutching, combing, spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing ready-made items. It shows European flax quality. Reveals feelings and great care to Linen – special, structured material that lived through ages. And reminds, that everything is worth your work, just need to believe in what you do. Feel it!

Yours,

T.