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A Brief History Of The Linens You Use Everyday
Derived from Linum, the Latin word for the
Flax plant, and the Greek Linon, Linen is a fabric associated with
woven textiles known for domestic materials used for bed, bathing,
and décor, such as towels, sheets, pillow cases, and tablecloths.
Past references to linen, though, included lightweight undergarments
like chemises, waist shirts, and lingerie.
Modern linen is composed of natural fibers (Cotton, silk, modals,
and sometimes flax) and synthetic fibers (polyester and rayon),
although at one time the fabric was made solely of fibers from the
flax plant (linum usitatisimum), cotton, or hemp. In some cases,
linen was made of a combination of flax fiber, cotton, and hemp. Now
three thousand years old, Flax is one of the oldest fibers around
and used in small amounts, so combinations continue to be the
tradition.
Bulk linen yarn is measured in the lea (symbol: NeL), which equals
out to three hundred yards per pound. This specific length (or
indirect grist system, as which it is already known) is the count of
length units per unit mass. The measurement of lea is calculated as
thus: the length in the number of leas X 300. For example, forty lea
handkerchiefs X 300 = 40X300= 12,000 yards per pound.
Linen was also used to make what were typically non-fabric items.
During the Middle Ages, books (Liber Linteus is the only book
surviving made of this fabric), shields, and gambeson were all made
(either in whole in part) from linen, the last two due to their
strength. Nowadays, billiard cues are wrapped in Irish linen because
of the absorbent quality of the fabric. This works well with sweaty
hands. Quality paper, too, is made of this fiber, which explains why
paper currency is 25% linen and 75% Cotton. Because of its flax
consistency, top-grade linen is firm and smooth.
For items composed of better-made material, it’s a good bet that the
flax fiber is a part of that intricate combination. Because of
flax’s extensive age, Linen is undoubtedly one of the oldest fabrics
in the world. It’s understandable why such a fabric is still in use
today.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
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Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
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