Linen Material + History
“The flax springs from the earth, which is immortal; it yields edible seeds, and supplies a plain and cleanly clothing, which does not oppress by the weight required for warmth. It is suitable for every season.” - Plutarch, Greek Philosopher
From ancient Babylonia to our small studio in Lithuania, we have so much appreciation for the fabric that has stolen our hearts. Linen has traveled the world and through generations to now, where it has lasted the test of time to become one of the most loved, eco-friendly and enduring textiles for use in our lives today.
the more we learn of the fascinating history of linen and it’s incredible qualities, the more we are consciously appreciating that we get to work with it and hope to play a small part in the revival of such a perfect and sustainable option for long-term clothing. As we explore linen together and make more conscious choices for the textiles we choose, we thought we’d share a few interesting facts about linen through the ages…
Linen is one of the oldest textiles developed, dating back nearly 10,000-30,000 years
In the ancient Babylonia, linen made up roughly 10% of production
Traces of linen fabrics have been discovered in Swiss lake dwellings - BC
The ancient Egyptians are famous for expanding its use (but it was reserved for the higher class and used to mummify the dead as a sign of purity and wealth).
During the 12th-8th century BC, Phoenicians were the first exporters of linen which is how it reached the European continent
By the 16th century, flax was used widely throughout Europe and America and linen became more of an everyday fabric
Warmer climates in America tended to use linen for ropes, canvas, and sailcloth; while northern colonies due to colder climate made finer linens.
It was a staple of everyday clothing, especially undergarments, until the invention of cotton gin in the late 1700s - this made cotton more cost efficient and easier to mass produce…
A flax spinning machine was finally invented in the early 1800’s, but it was too late, cotton had already stolen the spotlight and the rest was history…
But that brings us to today where this incredible fabric slowly gets to be rediscovered. With its eco-friendly and sustainable production combined with the inherent qualities of the textile which makes it feel so magical to wear - we are more in love with linen than ever….
