Linen
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | '''Linen''' is a [[textile]] made from the [[fiber]]s of the [[flax]] plant, ''Linum usitatissimum''. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. | ||
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| + | Textiles in a linen-weave texture, even when made of [[cotton]], [[hemp]] and other non-flax fibers are also loosely referred to as "linen". Such fabrics generally have their own specific names other than linen; for example, fine cotton yarn in a linen-style weave is called [[Madapolam]]. | ||
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| + | The collective term "[[linens]]" is still often used generically to describe a class of [[weaving|woven]] and even [[knitting|knitted]] bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles. The name linens is retained because traditionally, linen was used for many of these items. In the past, the word "linens" was also used to mean lightweight [[undergarment]]s such as [[shirt]]s, [[chemise]]s, waistshirts, [[lingerie]] (a word which is cognate with ''linen''), and detachable shirt collars and cuffs, which were historically made almost exclusively out of linen. | ||
| + | === Uses === | ||
| + | Over the past 30 years the end use for linen has changed dramatically. Approximately 70% of linen production in the 1990s was for apparel textiles whereas in the 1970s only about 5% was used for fashion fabrics. | ||
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| + | Linen uses range from bed and bath fabrics ([[tablecloths]], dish towels, bed sheets, etc.), home and commercial furnishing items (wallpaper/wall coverings, upholstery, window treatments, etc.), apparel items (suits, dresses, skirts, shirts, etc.), to industrial products (luggage, canvases, sewing thread, etc.). It was once the preferred yarn for handsewing the uppers of [[moccasin (footwear)|moccasin]]-style shoes ([[loafers]]), but its use has been replaced by synthetics. | ||
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| + | A linen handkerchief, pressed and folded to display the corners, was a standard decoration of a well-dressed man's suit during most of the first part of the 20th century. | ||
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| + | Currently researchers are working on a cotton/flax blend to create new yarns which will improve the feel of denim during hot and humid weather. | ||
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| + | Linen fabric is one of the preferred traditional supports for [[oil painting]]. In the United States cotton is popularly used instead as linen is many times more expensive there, restricting its use to professional painters. In Europe however, linen is usually the only fabric support available in art shops. Linen is preferred to cotton for its strength, durability and [[archival]] integrity. | ||
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| + | Linen is also used extensively by artisan bakers. Known as a couche, the flax cloth is used to hold the dough into shape while in the final rise, just before baking. The couche is heavily dusted with flour which is rubbed into the pores of the fabric. Then the shaped dough is placed on the couche. The floured couche makes a "non stick" surface to hold the dough. Then ridges are formed in the couche to keep the dough from spreading. It sort of looks like this /\o/\o/\o/\o/\ where the "o" is the dough and the /\/\/\/\ is the folded couche. | ||
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| + | In the past linen was also used for books (the only surviving example of which is the [[Liber Linteus]]). Due to its strength, in the [[Middle Ages]] linen was used for [[shield]]s and [[gambeson]] (among other roles such as use for a [[bowstring]]), much like how in [[Classical antiquity]] it was used to make a type of body armour, referred to as a [[Linothorax]]. Also because of its strength when wet, [[Irish linen]] is a very popular wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands. Paper made of linen can be very strong and crisp, which is why the United States and many other countries print their currency on paper that is made from 25% linen and 75% cotton. <!-- this reference has to be replaced '''(3)''' --> | ||
| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | The word linen is derived from the [[Latin]] for the [[flax]] plant, which is ''linum'', and the earlier [[Greek language|Greek]] ''linon''. This word history has given rise to a number of other terms: | ||
| + | *[[Line (geometry)|Line]], derived from the use of a linen [[yarn|thread]] to determine a straight line; | ||
| + | *[[Liniment]], due to the use of finely ground flax seeds as a mild irritant applied to the skin to ease muscle pain | ||
| + | *[[Lining]], because linen was often used to create a lining for [[wool]] and [[leather]] clothing | ||
| + | *[[Lingerie]], via French, originally denotes underwear made of linen | ||
| + | *[[Linseed oil]], an oil derived from [[flax]] seed | ||
| + | *[[Linoleum]], a floor covering made from linseed oil and other materials | ||
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| + | In addition, the term in [[English language|English]], ''flaxen-haired'', denoting a very light, bright [[blonde]], comes from a comparison to the color of raw flax fiber. | ||
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Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.
Textiles in a linen-weave texture, even when made of cotton, hemp and other non-flax fibers are also loosely referred to as "linen". Such fabrics generally have their own specific names other than linen; for example, fine cotton yarn in a linen-style weave is called Madapolam.
The collective term "linens" is still often used generically to describe a class of woven and even knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles. The name linens is retained because traditionally, linen was used for many of these items. In the past, the word "linens" was also used to mean lightweight undergarments such as shirts, chemises, waistshirts, lingerie (a word which is cognate with linen), and detachable shirt collars and cuffs, which were historically made almost exclusively out of linen.
Uses
Over the past 30 years the end use for linen has changed dramatically. Approximately 70% of linen production in the 1990s was for apparel textiles whereas in the 1970s only about 5% was used for fashion fabrics.
Linen uses range from bed and bath fabrics (tablecloths, dish towels, bed sheets, etc.), home and commercial furnishing items (wallpaper/wall coverings, upholstery, window treatments, etc.), apparel items (suits, dresses, skirts, shirts, etc.), to industrial products (luggage, canvases, sewing thread, etc.). It was once the preferred yarn for handsewing the uppers of moccasin-style shoes (loafers), but its use has been replaced by synthetics.
A linen handkerchief, pressed and folded to display the corners, was a standard decoration of a well-dressed man's suit during most of the first part of the 20th century.
Currently researchers are working on a cotton/flax blend to create new yarns which will improve the feel of denim during hot and humid weather.
Linen fabric is one of the preferred traditional supports for oil painting. In the United States cotton is popularly used instead as linen is many times more expensive there, restricting its use to professional painters. In Europe however, linen is usually the only fabric support available in art shops. Linen is preferred to cotton for its strength, durability and archival integrity.
Linen is also used extensively by artisan bakers. Known as a couche, the flax cloth is used to hold the dough into shape while in the final rise, just before baking. The couche is heavily dusted with flour which is rubbed into the pores of the fabric. Then the shaped dough is placed on the couche. The floured couche makes a "non stick" surface to hold the dough. Then ridges are formed in the couche to keep the dough from spreading. It sort of looks like this /\o/\o/\o/\o/\ where the "o" is the dough and the /\/\/\/\ is the folded couche.
In the past linen was also used for books (the only surviving example of which is the Liber Linteus). Due to its strength, in the Middle Ages linen was used for shields and gambeson (among other roles such as use for a bowstring), much like how in Classical antiquity it was used to make a type of body armour, referred to as a Linothorax. Also because of its strength when wet, Irish linen is a very popular wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands. Paper made of linen can be very strong and crisp, which is why the United States and many other countries print their currency on paper that is made from 25% linen and 75% cotton.
Etymology
The word linen is derived from the Latin for the flax plant, which is linum, and the earlier Greek linon. This word history has given rise to a number of other terms:
- Line, derived from the use of a linen thread to determine a straight line;
- Liniment, due to the use of finely ground flax seeds as a mild irritant applied to the skin to ease muscle pain
- Lining, because linen was often used to create a lining for wool and leather clothing
- Lingerie, via French, originally denotes underwear made of linen
- Linseed oil, an oil derived from flax seed
- Linoleum, a floor covering made from linseed oil and other materials
In addition, the term in English, flaxen-haired, denoting a very light, bright blonde, comes from a comparison to the color of raw flax fiber.
