Linen
Linen is made from the fibres of the plant we know as flax. The procedure that turns this blue-flowered plant into beautiful linen fabric involves many laborious and complicated processes before the linen yarn can be woven into cloth. :The processes are now mechanised but in principle have hardly changed at all from those used by farmers since the 12th and 13th centuries.

The final process is bleaching, once the province of the farmers' wives who bleached the linen in the open air with buttermilk and lye. When that is completed the linen cloth can be made into anything from tine lace-trimmed handkerchiefs to king-size duvet covers.

Linen sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths were often decorated with many rows of fine hemstitching or with beautiful hand-embroidered monograms. Linen has traditionally been handed down for generations from mother to daughter. There is no reason why the linen you purchase today should not be used and treasured in the same way, since linen is still made and finished in the traditional manner and its fine qualities of strength and durability remain unchanged.

Care of Your Linen
Pure linen is a high quality, all-natural material. Perhaps contrary to popular belief, you can treat linen like any ordinary fabric. It faces the rough and tumble of repeated laundering with equanimity and, if ironed when fairly damp, produces a naturally smooth, crisp finish without starching.