Linen fabric is one of the few that are still produced from natural raw materials. It is widely used for sewing clothes and interior decoration. Consumers highly value this fabric, which pleasantly “cools” in the heat and absorbs excess moisture, allowing the body to “breathe”. The material is light but dense. Linen fabric has a rough, pronounced texture of fibers. The uniqueness of the material lies in its versatility. Of the filaments, depending on their thickness, it is possible to weave both the thinnest tulle and dense fire hoses. Linen curtains - a stylish and unusually beautiful decoration. Let's talk about the amazing plant and decorative fabric that is made from it.
About flax: history, production and interesting facts
The pioneers of flax were the Indians. Almost 10,000 years ago, linen was first made here. Gradually, it replaced the “natural” material - animal skins. The plant began to grow everywhere. Unique linen weaved in ancient Egypt. Due to its incredible lightness, tissue was compared to “baby’s breath”. For clarity: 1 kg of yarn consisted of a thread about 240 km long. A modern tangle of similar weight is unwound for 30-40 km. The linen cloth turned out so thin and weightless that folded in five layers, it still shone through slightly. Any item of clothing could be passed through the ringlet. In Egypt, the loss of harvest of this plant was considered a real disaster. In ancient times, linen was highly valued. The cost of the canvas was determined using weights. They put a thing on one bowl, and gold on the other according to its weight. Only wealthy people dressed in such clothes - mostly priests. For mummification, linen ribbons (bandages) were also used. They are perfectly preserved, as evidenced by the findings of Egyptologists. Some critics are skeptical that the bandages were soaked in a balm that “canned” them, but the linen fabric itself lasts a long time. It is believed that the secret of “weightless” material was irretrievably lost.
In Rome, flax was preferred by women. In Russia, plants began to grow late - only by the beginning of the XI century. Material was woven only for their needs. Only by the middle of the XVIII century, Catherine II gave official permission to export fabric. In Europe, for a long time, flaxseed was considered the destiny of wealthy families. The cost of the fabric, although it fell in comparison with Egyptian prices, but still remained high.Only after the Renaissance, even the poor could afford such things. Now flax is grown everywhere. In recent years, there has been a real “boom” in natural fabrics. Cotton, although lower in cost, definitely lost flax in this competition. This is due to the unique properties of the hypoallergenic fabric, which is not only pleasant to the skin, but also treats burning, itching and other signs of irritation. For the manufacture of fabric using special varieties of flax. First, the plant is soaked, then dried and thoroughly crushed. The resulting blocks of raw flax are sent to a spinning mill, where yarn is obtained from them.
Varieties of fabrics
Depending on the purpose, linen fabrics are classified into the following types:
Linen. They are used for sewing underwear and bedding. As a rule, the material is bleached.
Towel Fabrics are used for sewing towels.
Canteens. Bleached or one-colored fabrics from which tablecloths and table napkins are sewn.
Clothes. This matter can be either monophonic or with a pattern on the surface. Use fabric for sewing clothes. Things can be used both in summer and in winter. In addition to the feeling of coolness in the heat, flax warms perfectly.
Applied. Used to make small jewelry (mainly for clothing).
Decorative. This type of fabric is used to decorate the interior. Mostly curtains, upholstery or pillowcases for decorative pillows are made from decorative matter.
There is also a classification by type of weaving:
Twill.
Linen.
Coarse.
Shallow.
Openwork.
Satin.
Depending on the density of linen fabric and the method of weaving, the material is divided into subspecies:
Canvas. Used for the manufacture of paintings for painting.
Canvas and canvas. They are used for sewing tents, raincoats and waterproof specials. clothes.The material is woven from thick fibers and impregnated with special water-repellent compounds.
Sackcloth. Bags are sewn from this crude variety of linen fabric, but the material is often used in decoration due to its special texture.
Batiste. Lightweight material designed for sewing clothes and sophisticated lingerie.
Damask. A dense variety of linen that is used for sewing curtains and furniture upholstery.
Crinoline. Thick lining fabric.
In addition to the above types, there are also Colomian, fine linen, ravenduk, matting and teak. All but the last are mainly used for sewing clothes (from summer dresses to men's suits).
There is also flax vischer. This is a combined natural synthetic material. Almost 80% of it consists of polyester, and the balance is linen and spandex.
Advantages and disadvantages of linen curtains
Flax matter has a lot of advantages:
Strength. Wear resistance. Linen fabric is not so easy to wipe or tear. If we are talking about dense matter (burlap, canvas, teak), then making a hole in it without sharp objects is generally impossible.
Resistance to chemical compositions containing acids. Such products make flax softer.
Environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. If you use the material for the manufacture of furniture upholstery, then on such an armchair or sofa any person can sit, even with problem or hypersensitive skin. The same rule applies to linen clothes.
Breathability. The material "breathes."
Low peeling. No spools are formed on the surface of the material. And it doesn’t matter how much the fabric has been used.
It does not contribute to the occurrence of static electricity, that is, it is not electrified.
The disadvantages of linen are:
Low resilience. The material hardly stretches.
Lack of alkali resistance. When exposed to such compositions, flaxseed material loses strength.
A number of features when washing.Flax cannot be called capricious fabric, but even white matter is not allowed to boil. Soak it before washing, too, can not.
Burnout under the sun.
High price.
Another serious problem is the formation of “folds”, which are typical for flax, and high creasing. Matter does not “keep shape” at all after ironing. Enough pairs of awkward movements and curtains will look rumpled. This drawback is particularly acute in clothing. Home textiles just need to be carefully hoisted into place and do not touch unnecessarily.
Variety of color palette
Linen fabrics give a wide variety of colors. However, muffled tones are more often found: mustard, khaki, gray, olive, lilac, blue, beige, peach, cream, pearl. Delicate shades are universal and suitable for any interior. Calm tones look great in a classic setting. In addition, linen is considered non-marking, which significantly increases the use of curtains between washings. Quite often, a natural canvas is decorated with drawings. Usually these are floral motifs and graceful ligature. Large prints, like bright contrasting shades, are also rare. Linen tulle is often decorated with embroidery, which is in harmony with the pattern of the curtains. There are also two-color curtains in which the shades are selected by the principle of analogy. This option will help to combine in a single composition the different colors used in the interior.
What styles are applied
Linen curtains belong to the versatile person. The pronounced texture of the material is ideally suited to eco-style, country, classic, modern. The best option would be linen curtains for the Scandinavian trend, glorifying naturalness and laconicism. The material is excellently draped, so curtains are suitable for solid interiors decorated in ethnic (English, Italian, Dutch, German) styles.Unpretentious burlap curtains are in harmony with the unpretentious rustic atmosphere of the Russian hut or the decoration of a house lost in the French outback (Provence). Linen fabrics do not combine with luxurious styles that require richer material. For example, curtains in the Empire, Rococo, Baroque styles will not look appropriate.
Selection tips
When choosing linen curtains, one should listen to the advice of professional designers and ordinary people who ate the “dog” on the design of their houses:
Flax blends wonderfully with cotton. Natural fabrics form an original multifact combination.
So that the curtains are not so wrinkled, you should choose linen with the addition of viscose.
Linen, richly decorated with lace, is suitable only for ethnic areas. It looks outdated and is associated with typical interiors.
Coarse texture looks best on fine fabrics. Translucent linen curtains are an essential attribute of marine and Scandinavian styles.
For the bedroom, you can not choose a material that imitates natural linen. If the composition includes synthetic fibers, then this will negatively affect the ability of the fabric to “breathe” and its environmental friendliness.
If the curtains are decorated with a pattern, then it must necessarily resonate with the ornament on the furniture upholstery or wallpaper.
For country style, simple curtains are selected from burlap, which are decorated with delicate garters. This attribute of the decor is easy to do with your own hands.
In modern styles, laconic plain plain curtains are often used on the floor, which are easily adapted to both wooden and metal surfaces in the interior.
How to hang
Linen curtains are usually hung in two ways:
On the grommets.
On the curtain tape.
The second option looks modest, but neat. If the window decor should be accent, eye-catching, it is better to use stylish metal eyelets and the same cornice.It is not recommended to supplement linen curtains with bando or lambrequins, as this contradicts the concept of laconicism, which is supported by the textured material.
Determine the length
Length standards for linen curtains do not exist. For the kitchen, traditionally choose short curtains that extend to the windowsill or battery. In the bedroom, living room, children's room it is better to use long curtains. In order for the curtains to look neat, their length must end on a horizontal surface: a window sill, a heating radiator, a floor, a desk, attached to the window. It is impossible for the material to "hang out". Too long curtains not only get dirty faster, but also look very messy.
Care: how to wash, iron and whether to starch
For washing linen curtains, liquid powders are used. They are better soluble in water. On a typewriter choose the “gentle wash” mode. Do not boil linen cloth (even white). It is advisable to starch only thin, translucent linen curtains or tulle. The composition can be prepared independently: "cook" starch in water, cool, dissolve in a bowl and rinse the curtains in it. It is difficult to stroke the fabric from flax. It is especially difficult to cope with large canvases. While one area will be smoothed out, another at this point may wrinkle again. Do not recommend steaming material. In a flax situation, this is useless. The iron needs to be heated very much and each crease should be ironed carefully. The processed part of the curtain must be neatly straightened and pushed to the side, not allowing it to fall to the floor from the ironing board. Pre-drying the material in a suspended state will facilitate the ironing process.
Linen curtains in the interior
Linen curtains are easily integrated into the interior of any room. They look stylish in a wooden private house, and in a modern city apartment.For each room, depending on the stylistic decision and functional purpose, material of a certain color, density and composition is selected.
Living room
Luxurious two-tone curtains on the grommets emphasize the simplicity and naturalness of the Scandinavian interior of the living room. Combine the white color of snow and blue, turquoise, royal blue shade of ice. Such a decision will resonate with a soft “skin” on the floor near the sofa, a glass coffee table, light wood furniture and simple decoration. For a rustic-style living room, light brown curtains with an unobtrusive floral design will do. They are tied up with curtain ribbons and decorated with white lace garters. The canvas pattern echoes the wallpaper in a small flower, patterns on the upholstery of upholstered furniture or decorative pillows. Forged elements and wooden surfaces will make the composition complete. The sweet, naive simplicity of country style in the living room is emphasized by a bouquet of fresh flowers on the windowsill.
Bedroom
For a modern bedroom, dense linen curtains are selected in soothing shades: turquoise, olive, walnut, coral, yellow. The contrasts in the rest room are useless. To visually add height to the bedroom, use the combined technique of fastening tulle and curtains. The upper canvas is fixed directly to the tubular cornice, and the inner one is hung on the rings. Curtains and tulle from linen, but in different shades and densities, form a single composition. Minimalist bedrooms come with floor curtains with simple ropes instead of ornate garters. The classic interior with an accent niche at the head of the bed, decorated with wallpaper in large flowers, is emphasized by double-sided linen curtains. From the street, the canvas has a white color, and inside it is painted in a contrasting shade (olive, cranberry, lingonberry).
Kitchen
For the kitchen, it is better to choose short curtains that "rest" on the radiator or window sill.Since the curtains in this room will absorb odors and undergo frequent washing, it is better to choose linen with the addition of viscose. It is easier to smooth out. Among the shades, it is recommended to choose warm tones: pear, titian, corn, madder, amber, salmon, cinnabar, ocher. If the kitchen is combined with the dining room, and the dining group is located in the bay window, then choose long curtains to the floor. Instead of pickups, the canvases are decorated with magnetic clips-brooches in tone. The original and laconic fastening can be independently weaved from ropes, straps or wire and beads. Sprigs of artificial plants with rare interspersed buds instead of picks will create a mood in the kitchen and are ideal for the rough texture of flax. A cute and rustic atmosphere of the room is emphasized by short curtains with a picture in a small flower. They are additionally decorated with a simple cotton lambrequin in a perky cage. The colors of matter are selected according to the principle of analogy. Lambrequins are not advisable to combine with linen curtains, but the rustic atmosphere of the kitchen is conducive to experimentation. For a room decorated in a marine style, curtains of two colors are selected: sand-yellow and sea turquoise. Both shades are often used in the interiors of beach houses. Turquoise tiles on the kitchen apron and snow-white furniture set complete the composition.
Conclusion
Although flax has never been forgotten, in recent years it has become a truly fashionable material due to the popularization of naturalness and naturalness. Material once again confirms the rule of "well-forgotten old." Linen fabric gives the interior cleanliness and light freshness. It is used not only for sewing curtains. Pillowcases for decorative pillows, furniture upholstery and covers, bedspreads, tablecloths, napkins. towels - all this will help to concisely, but beautifully decorate the room.
Linen fabric is one of the few that are still produced from natural raw materials. It is widely used for sewing clothes and interior decoration. Consumers highly value this fabric, which pleasantly “cools” in the heat and absorbs excess moisture, allowing the body to “breathe”. The material is light but dense. Linen fabric has a rough, pronounced texture of fibers. The uniqueness of the material lies in its versatility. Of the filaments, depending on their thickness, it is possible to weave both the thinnest tulle and dense fire hoses. Linen curtains - a stylish and unusually beautiful decoration. Let's talk about the amazing plant and decorative fabric that is made from it.
Content
About flax: history, production and interesting facts
The pioneers of flax were the Indians. Almost 10,000 years ago, linen was first made here. Gradually, it replaced the “natural” material - animal skins. The plant began to grow everywhere. Unique linen weaved in ancient Egypt. Due to its incredible lightness, tissue was compared to “baby’s breath”. For clarity: 1 kg of yarn consisted of a thread about 240 km long. A modern tangle of similar weight is unwound for 30-40 km. The linen cloth turned out so thin and weightless that folded in five layers, it still shone through slightly. Any item of clothing could be passed through the ringlet. In Egypt, the loss of harvest of this plant was considered a real disaster. In ancient times, linen was highly valued. The cost of the canvas was determined using weights. They put a thing on one bowl, and gold on the other according to its weight. Only wealthy people dressed in such clothes - mostly priests. For mummification, linen ribbons (bandages) were also used. They are perfectly preserved, as evidenced by the findings of Egyptologists. Some critics are skeptical that the bandages were soaked in a balm that “canned” them, but the linen fabric itself lasts a long time. It is believed that the secret of “weightless” material was irretrievably lost.
In Rome, flax was preferred by women. In Russia, plants began to grow late - only by the beginning of the XI century. Material was woven only for their needs. Only by the middle of the XVIII century, Catherine II gave official permission to export fabric. In Europe, for a long time, flaxseed was considered the destiny of wealthy families. The cost of the fabric, although it fell in comparison with Egyptian prices, but still remained high.Only after the Renaissance, even the poor could afford such things. Now flax is grown everywhere. In recent years, there has been a real “boom” in natural fabrics. Cotton, although lower in cost, definitely lost flax in this competition. This is due to the unique properties of the hypoallergenic fabric, which is not only pleasant to the skin, but also treats burning, itching and other signs of irritation. For the manufacture of fabric using special varieties of flax. First, the plant is soaked, then dried and thoroughly crushed. The resulting blocks of raw flax are sent to a spinning mill, where yarn is obtained from them.
Varieties of fabrics
Depending on the purpose, linen fabrics are classified into the following types:
There is also a classification by type of weaving:
Depending on the density of linen fabric and the method of weaving, the material is divided into subspecies:
In addition to the above types, there are also Colomian, fine linen, ravenduk, matting and teak. All but the last are mainly used for sewing clothes (from summer dresses to men's suits).
Advantages and disadvantages of linen curtains
Flax matter has a lot of advantages:
The disadvantages of linen are:
Another serious problem is the formation of “folds”, which are typical for flax, and high creasing. Matter does not “keep shape” at all after ironing. Enough pairs of awkward movements and curtains will look rumpled. This drawback is particularly acute in clothing. Home textiles just need to be carefully hoisted into place and do not touch unnecessarily.
Variety of color palette
Linen fabrics give a wide variety of colors. However, muffled tones are more often found: mustard, khaki, gray, olive, lilac, blue, beige, peach, cream, pearl. Delicate shades are universal and suitable for any interior. Calm tones look great in a classic setting. In addition, linen is considered non-marking, which significantly increases the use of curtains between washings. Quite often, a natural canvas is decorated with drawings. Usually these are floral motifs and graceful ligature. Large prints, like bright contrasting shades, are also rare. Linen tulle is often decorated with embroidery, which is in harmony with the pattern of the curtains. There are also two-color curtains in which the shades are selected by the principle of analogy. This option will help to combine in a single composition the different colors used in the interior.
What styles are applied
Linen curtains belong to the versatile person. The pronounced texture of the material is ideally suited to eco-style, country, classic, modern. The best option would be linen curtains for the Scandinavian trend, glorifying naturalness and laconicism. The material is excellently draped, so curtains are suitable for solid interiors decorated in ethnic (English, Italian, Dutch, German) styles.Unpretentious burlap curtains are in harmony with the unpretentious rustic atmosphere of the Russian hut or the decoration of a house lost in the French outback (Provence). Linen fabrics do not combine with luxurious styles that require richer material. For example, curtains in the Empire, Rococo, Baroque styles will not look appropriate.
Selection tips
When choosing linen curtains, one should listen to the advice of professional designers and ordinary people who ate the “dog” on the design of their houses:
In modern styles, laconic plain plain curtains are often used on the floor, which are easily adapted to both wooden and metal surfaces in the interior.
How to hang
Linen curtains are usually hung in two ways:
The second option looks modest, but neat. If the window decor should be accent, eye-catching, it is better to use stylish metal eyelets and the same cornice.It is not recommended to supplement linen curtains with bando or lambrequins, as this contradicts the concept of laconicism, which is supported by the textured material.
Determine the length
Length standards for linen curtains do not exist. For the kitchen, traditionally choose short curtains that extend to the windowsill or battery. In the bedroom, living room, children's room it is better to use long curtains. In order for the curtains to look neat, their length must end on a horizontal surface: a window sill, a heating radiator, a floor, a desk, attached to the window. It is impossible for the material to "hang out". Too long curtains not only get dirty faster, but also look very messy.
Care: how to wash, iron and whether to starch
For washing linen curtains, liquid powders are used. They are better soluble in water. On a typewriter choose the “gentle wash” mode. Do not boil linen cloth (even white). It is advisable to starch only thin, translucent linen curtains or tulle. The composition can be prepared independently: "cook" starch in water, cool, dissolve in a bowl and rinse the curtains in it. It is difficult to stroke the fabric from flax. It is especially difficult to cope with large canvases. While one area will be smoothed out, another at this point may wrinkle again. Do not recommend steaming material. In a flax situation, this is useless. The iron needs to be heated very much and each crease should be ironed carefully. The processed part of the curtain must be neatly straightened and pushed to the side, not allowing it to fall to the floor from the ironing board. Pre-drying the material in a suspended state will facilitate the ironing process.
Linen curtains in the interior
Linen curtains are easily integrated into the interior of any room. They look stylish in a wooden private house, and in a modern city apartment.For each room, depending on the stylistic decision and functional purpose, material of a certain color, density and composition is selected.
Living room
Luxurious two-tone curtains on the grommets emphasize the simplicity and naturalness of the Scandinavian interior of the living room. Combine the white color of snow and blue, turquoise, royal blue shade of ice. Such a decision will resonate with a soft “skin” on the floor near the sofa, a glass coffee table, light wood furniture and simple decoration. For a rustic-style living room, light brown curtains with an unobtrusive floral design will do. They are tied up with curtain ribbons and decorated with white lace garters. The canvas pattern echoes the wallpaper in a small flower, patterns on the upholstery of upholstered furniture or decorative pillows. Forged elements and wooden surfaces will make the composition complete. The sweet, naive simplicity of country style in the living room is emphasized by a bouquet of fresh flowers on the windowsill.
Bedroom
For a modern bedroom, dense linen curtains are selected in soothing shades: turquoise, olive, walnut, coral, yellow. The contrasts in the rest room are useless. To visually add height to the bedroom, use the combined technique of fastening tulle and curtains. The upper canvas is fixed directly to the tubular cornice, and the inner one is hung on the rings. Curtains and tulle from linen, but in different shades and densities, form a single composition. Minimalist bedrooms come with floor curtains with simple ropes instead of ornate garters. The classic interior with an accent niche at the head of the bed, decorated with wallpaper in large flowers, is emphasized by double-sided linen curtains. From the street, the canvas has a white color, and inside it is painted in a contrasting shade (olive, cranberry, lingonberry).
Kitchen
For the kitchen, it is better to choose short curtains that "rest" on the radiator or window sill.Since the curtains in this room will absorb odors and undergo frequent washing, it is better to choose linen with the addition of viscose. It is easier to smooth out. Among the shades, it is recommended to choose warm tones: pear, titian, corn, madder, amber, salmon, cinnabar, ocher. If the kitchen is combined with the dining room, and the dining group is located in the bay window, then choose long curtains to the floor. Instead of pickups, the canvases are decorated with magnetic clips-brooches in tone. The original and laconic fastening can be independently weaved from ropes, straps or wire and beads. Sprigs of artificial plants with rare interspersed buds instead of picks will create a mood in the kitchen and are ideal for the rough texture of flax. A cute and rustic atmosphere of the room is emphasized by short curtains with a picture in a small flower. They are additionally decorated with a simple cotton lambrequin in a perky cage. The colors of matter are selected according to the principle of analogy. Lambrequins are not advisable to combine with linen curtains, but the rustic atmosphere of the kitchen is conducive to experimentation. For a room decorated in a marine style, curtains of two colors are selected: sand-yellow and sea turquoise. Both shades are often used in the interiors of beach houses. Turquoise tiles on the kitchen apron and snow-white furniture set complete the composition.
Conclusion
Although flax has never been forgotten, in recent years it has become a truly fashionable material due to the popularization of naturalness and naturalness. Material once again confirms the rule of "well-forgotten old." Linen fabric gives the interior cleanliness and light freshness. It is used not only for sewing curtains. Pillowcases for decorative pillows, furniture upholstery and covers, bedspreads, tablecloths, napkins. towels - all this will help to concisely, but beautifully decorate the room.