What is woven imitation linen fabric ?
Many of our customers and curious textile students often ask us: "What is linen?" Linen has been the main fabric for centuries. It is usually light weight and very suitable for summer.

When asked, most people will describe flax without hesitation. However, what makes linen so popular?

Where did it come from and how did it become the textile of choice for decades? In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the characteristics of linen and how its use can benefit your daily life.

Linen fabrics are found all over the world. This fabric was originally derived from the fiber properties of the flax plant. Wild flax plants are ancient and can be traced back to the Paleolithic age. These flax fibers can be processed into different products during processing. Linen fabric is one of the final products of the linen factory and one of the most popular products.

Linen is durable. When this durable fabric comes into contact with water, it becomes stronger. Linen is considered to be very breathable and only becomes softer after each wash. This fabric is rigid and helps wear resistance. It is also resistant to staining and dirt. It is not easy to wear, and if properly maintained, it can be used for a lifetime.

Sometimes linen garments have knots in their natural fibers. In the past, these knots meant that the fabric was thrown aside as defective. Now, these small flaws are unique and highly respected, making this unique style of linen fabric highly sought after.

Linen upholstery
Linen upholstery
The history of linen
The popularity of flax has existed for thousands of years. The earliest discovery of flax fiber was in ancient Egypt. When flax crops are grown in controlled areas, they process flax fibers into flax yarn.

Exotic fabrics such as linen are exclusively for the rich. Flax was first used by wealthy members of society in their first work. Linen became anything from bridal dresses to mourning dresses.

However, once linen fabric entered Europe, its largest production base was in Ireland. Belfast, Ireland is the largest producer of linen fabrics. Its flax production is crowned Belfast "Linenopolis!"

For nearly two centuries, Belfast has been making linens for dignitaries and ordinary people. Today, Eastern Europe and China mainly produce linen fabrics.

Although most linen is made in Eastern Europe and China, linen comes from Canada. Canada is the largest flax producer of all countries, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia. Without their cooperation in the production of flax, flax will be in short supply.

Flax: how it is made
As mentioned earlier, flax fabric is a natural fabric derived from flax fibers. However, before processing, they started in the flax factory.

Flax grows in a cool climate and is a food and fiber crop. Flax grows into tall stems like wheat, usually about 3 feet tall. It has light blue flowers on the top of the stem.

To make linen, people need to obtain fiber from the flax plant. The fibers in the flax plant are located at the base of the plant and have a smooth and straight appearance.

It takes approximately 100 days for the flax mill to produce the fibers required for flax fabrics. Once the flowers bloom and the seeds mature, flax fibers can be produced. If the fiber turns brown, they cannot harvest flax fiber.

Flax fiber maintains a complex process for removing all fiber from its stem. Once removed and processed, it is made into linen yarn. Since that stage, it has been manufactured into countless products such as clothing and bedding.

Linen and cotton
Flax and cotton are natural fibers in textiles. Compared with flax mills that produce flax, cotton mills have an interesting production history. Similar to the bast fiber used to make jute (flax is classified as bast fiber), cotton and flax are natural substitutes for many products.

However, the difference is obvious. Linen cloth is usually stronger than cotton cloth. Its strength is attributed to flax fiber, which is slightly thicker than cotton fiber.

This, along with the longer fiber length, contributes to its durability. Cotton fibers are smaller, but ultimately softer than flax fibers. After processing, cotton is smoother than flax.

It can be said that the most important thing is that linen and cotton are both moisture-wicking fabrics. This means they can retain moisture and maintain firmness when dry. This is why towels are made of linen or cotton.

In general, the uses of cotton and flax are versatile because they are limitless.

Linen items and applications
As we know, linen fabric has some amazing uses, including:

Blanket: Linen cloth is an effective barrier against the cold. Its fibers conform to the surrounding environment and retain heat well. Making blanket linens will keep you warm during the colder months of the year!
Art Canvas: Linen, just like traditional cotton canvas, works well for artists. Because cotton and linen have similar properties, linen is an excellent substitute for cotton canvas for making works of art.
Clothing: The most common use of linen is clothing! It keeps you cool in summer, and the lightness of linen makes you feel comfortable all day long. Although linen is not anti-wrinkle, it has a beautiful and delicate appearance for any garment application.
Linen fabric is very suitable for many purposes. If you want to know more about how you will use linen in your daily life, please feel free to contact us. Of course, if you are a curtain fabric wholesaler , you can even contact us. After all, woven imitation linen is also a good choice for curtains.