What is Linen Fiber?

According to the Harvard Gazette, Linen fiber, which is Flax fiber, is one of the oldest known fibers to man. It's approximately 34,000 years old. No wonder Linen fiber is pretty popular and widely used around the world.

But what exactly does this fiber constitute? How is it made?

Today's post will answer all of these questions and more.

What is Linen fiber?

Simply put, Linen fibers are derived from the flax plant. The fibers extracted from the flax plant's stem are spun into threads and then woven into fabric. Since the fiber is eco-friendly and has numerous other properties, it has retained its popularity and applications over time.

History of Linen fiber:

Above, we highlighted that Linen fiber is 34,000 years old. We know that because traces of fibers were discovered during the archaeological survey of caves in the Republic of Georgia. Researchers aren't sure about the purposeful cultivation of the flax plant. Hence, it is assumed that the flax fibers were collected from the wild to make cloth. Researchers believe that the articles made from this fabric aided the survival of humans in those times. That's because the traces were mostly found in hilly regions with harsh conditions.

Archeologists have also found evidence of Linen while excavating in Egypt. They believe the fabric dates back to 5000 BC. A post published by Emory University states that the Egyptians grew Flax plants on a mass scale to make Linen Cloth.

In recent times, Europeans started regulating the growth of flax plants in the 12th century AD. In fact, by the 18th century, Belfast in Ireland was popularly known as Linenopolis because of the thriving Linen trade in the town.

Throughout the colonial era, Linen fiber was pretty popular because it could be produced easily and conveniently. That's why it was the dominant fabric of the European economy during those times.

Today, linen is considered a superior fabric that is growing in popularity with each passing year. That's because of the unique properties of the Linen fiber.

Before we go into these properties, we must understand how exactly it is made.

How is Linen Fiber Made?

The entire process can be divided into different stages, as highlighted below.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 1 - Planting

Flax plants thrive in well-drained soil and temperate climates. Since it takes 100 days for flax to reach the harvesting stage, planting is usually done in cooler parts of the year. Flax plants cannot handle harsh summers.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 2 - Growth

The growth stage lasts approximately 100 days. During this period, the flax plants grow up to 4' in height. However, utmost care is needed to ensure the stalks grow straight, and the flax plant needs consistent moisture.

On reaching a height of 4', the flax plant usually blossoms and produces blue flowers.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 3 - Harvesting

The flowers are harvested after flowering but before the seeds ripen. Harvesting involves pulling out the flax from the ground along with the roots. Care is taken to ensure harvesting happens at the start of summer so the plant doesn't have to face harsh temperatures.

The flax is then laid out to dry. This process continues for a few weeks until the moisture evaporates completely. 

Linen Fiber Production Stage 4 - Fiber Separation

Fiber separation is done using the process of Retting. For those of you who aren't aware, Retting is breaking down the outer layer of flax stalks to separate the inner fibers. This can be done in numerous ways:

Water Retting: This process involves soaking flax in natural or artificial water sources to encourage microbial activity, which results in the breakdown of the outer layer.

Dew Retting: In this process, the flax is left in the field where the natural bacteria decomposes the outer layer.

Chemical Layer: Needless to say, here, the chemicals break down the outer layer.

According to a report, the natural retting methods can take anywhere from 28 to 41 days.

After retting, the extracted flax is dried before processing it further.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 5 - Breaking

Once the flax is dried, it is usually passed through mechanical rollers to break it down into pieces. The same is done to separate the flax fibers from the shives.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 6 - Combing

The above method removes most chives but not all. The remaining shives and any other residue are removed using scutching. In this process, a scutching knife or blade is used to separate the fibers from the chives by scraping them out. This process is traditionally done manually, but these days, machines incorporating scutching knives and blades are available as well.

Thereafter, the flax fibers are straightened using fine combs. This process is known as hackling.

The combination of these techniques constitutes the combing stage.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 7 - Spinning

The next stage involves converting these long, clean fibers into thread or yarn. This is done by spinning them in machines or manually.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 8 - Reeling

Once the yarn is ready, it is reeled into spools to create Linen garments or fabric.

Linen Fiber Production Stage 9 - Finishing

The last stage of Linen production is finishing. Depending on the application, this can include dyeing, bleaching, or softening the reel.

As you can see, manufacturing Linen from flax fibers is a pretty long drawn out process.

Properties of Linen fiber

Now that we have covered the manufacturing process, it's time to understand what makes Linen fiber special.

Linen fiber is highly absorbent

Linen's structure is less dense than that of many other fabrics. Hence, it doesn't feel damp even after absorbing water up to 20% of its weight.

But why does this matter?

That's because it absorbs moisture quickly without even feeling damp. This property is what makes Linen bedding so popular. If you are looking for pure, high-quality Linen bedding, check out our linen bedding collection.

Linen fiber is Antibacterial

According to this study, Linen fibers displayed antifungal activity and prohibited the growth of various bacteria. That means Linen is extremely safe to use for years.

Linen fiber aids thermoregulation.

Many people think Linen fabric is only suitable for summer because of its breathability, but it aids in thermoregulation, which means it can help regulate the body temperature.

In summer, Linen fiber offers breathability and moisture-wicking, which means your body will remain comfortable and cool. In the cooler months, it provides some insulation due to the amount of air it traps. Additionally, it can be paired with thicker materials for insulation. Since Linen is antistatic, it can act as an additional layer between static fabrics like wool and your body. That means even if wool generates static electricity, you won’t be in direct contact with it.

This makes Linen fabric highly versatile.

Linen fiber is Sustainable

Linen is a fabric made from naturally derived fibers, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. As explained above, flax has a short-cycle crop (100 days), minimizing the carbon footprint. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the flax plant requires less pesticides and water than other alternatives like cotton.

In summary, there is plenty of evidence that Linen is much more sustainable than the alternatives.

Linen fiber is extremely durable

According to this study, the tensile strength of flax fibers is between 264 to 2000 Mpa. If you're wondering whether this is low or high, let us tell you that, as per this study, the strength of cotton or cotton composite materials is around 49 Mpa. That's why when you buy pure quality Linen from sites like ours, it will last much longer than other fabrics.

Linen fiber is breathable

According to a research report by an industry body, Flax Linen showed the best breathability compared to Cotton, PES, and Viscose. That means if you want to stay comfortable in any season, Flax Linen is the best choice.

Linen fiber has a unique texture

Linen Fiber has a coarse texture, which many might find uneven, but it's not irritating. The crisp feel of Linen Fiber makes it even more special.

Applications of Linen fiber

Due to these distinct properties, Linen fiber has a wide variety of applications like:

• Linen clothing is becoming more popular with each passing year. These days, you'll find dresses, trousers, and shirts made of Linen fiber.
• More than clothing, Linen is used to make bedding. Bedding made from pure Linen like the bedding sets sold by us, can actually help you sleep more comfortably.
• Linen is also used to make ropes, canvas, sails, and twines.
• You would be surprised to know that most art canvases are made of Linen.
• It is widely used in the medical industry for making surgical dressings and bandages.
• Other common applications include making towels and upholstery.

These are just some of the applications of Linen fiber.

FAQs on Linen fiber

Is Linen a luxury fabric?

Linen was traditionally considered a premium or luxury fabric, especially pure Linen like the one we sell. However, slowly but steadily, the wider population is realizing that since it lasts for years, perhaps decades, it's much more affordable in the longer run, leading to its wider adoption.

Why is 100% Linen so expensive?

As we explained above, it takes a lot of work to derive Linen from the flax plant. The labor-intensive process increases its cost. However, when you factor in that it can last for decades, it offers excellent value for money.

Is Linen cheaper than silk?

Linen is usually more affordable than silk, which is why it also has many commercial applications. Its durability also makes it a much better option.

Buy High-Quality Linen Today

Thus, the next time you buy Linen bedding or any product made from Linen Fiber, you'll know exactly what Linen fiber is, how it is made, and why it's an excellent choice.

Looking to buy the best quality Linen? Check out our linen bedding collection to buy 100% pure Linen.