The flax plant yields Linen Fabric, a natural fabric that is renowned for its excellence worldwide. The plant is typically grown in damper, cooler climates, and the fabric is manufactured by extracting the skin of the flax stem. The skin is then spun into linen yarns and woven clothes.
Those with sensitive skin will benefit from the linen fabric’s exceptional softness, suppleness, and lighter texture. These materials are perfect for hot weather since they are very breathable, soak the moisture, and feel pleasant on the skin. Because of its qualities and attributes, this fabric has a slightly higher price label.
Environmentally Friendly
Compared to cotton, linen fabric decomposes more quickly and is more sustainable. It is more resistant to cloth bugs and parasites. They are environmentally friendly and have capacity to survive in harsh environments.
Resistant To Bacteria and Allergens
Linen fibers are used to make a variety of medical supplies because it has anti-allergic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties.
Basic Quality Test You May Perform Before Purchasing Linen
- Superior grade linen displays crushed lines on the fabric when crushed, however inferior quality linen does not.
- If a linen cloth absorbs half a spoonful of water easily, it is of higher levels of quality. If not, the quality is poor.
- The quality of linen fabric increases with increasing transparency, and decreases with increasing opaqueness.
- While low-quality linens have plain textures, high-quality linens have uneven textures.
How To Identify Quality of Linen
The reasons why linen fabric is more expensive than other natural fabrics is because of its lengthier harvesting and weaving process. “Lea” is the unit of measurement for linen yarn; it is defined as the number of yards in one pound of linen divided by 300. It measures the fabric’s longitudinal thickness as well as its thickness and fineness.
- In simple terms, the higher the lea count, the higher the premium the linen quality.
- Additionally, the Linen fabric becomes less opaque and more transparent as the lea count of the linen fabric increases.
How Much Lea Count Is Suitable for Different Type of Clothing
Linen Uppers
If you wish to make a shirt or kurta from linen fabric, use linen uppers. A delicate and fine texture is what you desire in accordance with the fabric’s transparency. You could opt for a lea count of 40–60 for this, as it is ideal for uppers. The lower left side should be used to create a somewhat opaquer kurta or shirt if you wish to make one which is usually if you make a formal shirt/ kurta. On the other hand, you can choose higher lea counts for more casual clothing.
Linen Jackets and Bottoms
For jackets and bottoms, we typically use linens with a lower lea count. We particularly like 25 lea since it is slightly opaque and the right amount of thickness without sacrificing comfort.
In addition, the greater the number of lea counts the more expensive the linen fabric; you can select the variety that best suits your requirements.
FAQs
What are the most important characteristics of linen?
- Linen are biodegradable & decomposes more quickly and is more sustainable.
- Linen fabric is more resistant to cloth bugs and parasites.
- Linen has anti-allergic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties.
Basic quality test you may perform before purchasing Linen?
- Wrinkle test
- Water Absorption capacity
- Transparency
- Texture
How to Identify Best Quality of Linen Fabric?
- The higher the lea count, the higher the premium the linen quality.
- Transparency of the linen fabric increases as the lea count of the linen fabric increases.
How much lea count is suitable for different type of clothing?
- Linen Uppers- 40-60 lea count are sufficient.
- Linen jackets and bottoms- 25 lea count are sufficient.
Thank you for taking the time to read ‘Linen Fabric 101: Quality, Costs, Uses & More’. We hope you found the post valuable and insightful.
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