Linen is the best fabric to wear in the summer. It’s comfortable and very cooling. The only down side would be that it wrinkles easily. Then again, it does iron easily too.
I used to always hesitate purchasing linen clothing because I thought it would be itchy and rough. My first linen item of clothing was a summer skirt. It was medium weight and didn’t feel too cooling. But then I found some light weight navy linen pants that were much more cooler to wear, especially on hot days.
Here is a photo of a simple flax flower and buds that provide us with so much. From healthy flax seeds to oils and of course, the fabric of summer!
Linen is made from the flax stalks (bast fiber). The luster of linen comes from the natural wax content. Linen can be creamy white to light tan as this fiber can be easily dyed. The color does not fade when washed. It is best to hang (line) dry them. Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber.
Libeco, a Belgian linen manufactured describes the flax as one of the most ecologically-correct plant. The seeds provide oil for dyes, paint, cosmetics and floor coverings. And the by-products of linen production are processed into a pulp used for banknotes or fiberboard. But most of all, flax is most renowned as the raw material for use as linen fabric.
More info from Fabrics.net:
Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, this fabric is cool in garments. However, constant creasing in the same place in sharp folds will tend to break the linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during the laundering. Linen has poor elasticity and does not spring back readily.
I have noticed one of my linen tops had a small tear at the crease of the fold. But I was able to mend it with some threads. But all my other linen items are doing well.
I like this linen pant from Banana Republic. On sale for $58. But I don’t like the big cinch front pockets. I prefer flat pockets instead. And to save money this summer, I am going to try making my own linen pants and tank tops. Linen pants would require a medium weight linen. And a tank top would be light weight or tissue linen in chocolate brown.
I think this will be a fun summer sewing (craft) project for me too.
Another nice summer fashion accessory, 100 % linen tote bag from Lotta Jansdotter. Retails $68.
Lotta Jansdotter, also nice hand tote here.
FlaxPage, provide information for the grower, for the consumer, and for the researcher.
More info:
Libeco-Lagae, Belgium linen manufacturer.
