Quality bed linens made of flax fibers are soft and free from knots. Small knots or slubs are common in lesser quality fabric. Linen fabric can easily absorb water but dries quickly, mothproof and filth repellent. By the way, what is linen?
Linen is a common term used for sheets, shams, pillowcases, quilts and other bed linens. Linen is a kind of fabric woven from natural fibers produced by the flax plant known as linum usitatissimum, a fairly common crop found in Western Europe.
The meaning of the word, linen has since been expounded to include other similar cloth as cotton and products such as napkins or tablecloth. The term linen cannot be used to any kind of fiber except that of the natural flax.
Flax plant grows up to 40 inches in height and with blue and purple flowers. The stalk which is beaten to loosen up for spinning and weaving is the source of the flax fiber. The fibers can be woven exquisitely for its strength and durability.
Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture because flax fiber is hard and crumples easily but esteemed for coolness and strength when manufactured into apparels. The stalks are hand-picked to preserve the quality of the fibers. They are also tedious to process, the reason why flax linen is expensive.
Flax fiber has a capillary property to wick perspiration from the skin. Sweat however can easily damage the fabric. And its worst attribute is its propensity to wrinkle that makes it hard to press. Its crispiness however makes it cool, neat and lightweight which make it even popular in warmest climates.
Prone to wrinkles, ironing linens is a great task. A bed linen must be ironed on the reverse side of the fabric while it is still slightly damp from hang dry or washer. To make it appear crispier and finesse, spray a very light starch. However be heedful to prevent the starch from sticking to the iron soleplate. A good steam iron is preferably useful to remove the stubborn crinkles.
Linens will smoother with wear and washing and will become softer through the years with crimps diminished. Folding linens can cause the fibers to break so it is necessary not to fold it at the same crease more often. Change the fold frequently.
Quality bed linens made of natural flax fibers must be properly cared for to maintain the look and feel of the linens. With proper care, the quality of your bed linens will last a lifetime. With its beauty and diversity, flax fiber will always be a good source of fabric.
