Linen is a textile made from the fibres of the flax plant. It is much heavier than cotton and about 30% stronger yet it offers better breathability. Thanks to this, linen has become a popular fabric around the world.
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However, there are many different types of linen, and not all offer the same advantages. So, how do you tell if the linen you’ve chosen is good quality? This article has some top tips to help you tell if the linen you’ve purchased is good quality:
1.Your Fabric Gets Softer Over Time
Although this might not help you when buying linen, it is a sure-fire way to tell whether the linen you purchased is the real deal. Real flax linen gets softer over time. Each time you wash linen, you will notice a difference in how it feels.
2.It Should Be Strong and Durable
If you’re shopping for linen and notice some that are tattered and old, there’s a good chance this isn’t real Irish linen. Good quality linen should be sturdy, strong and durable. It should last for years and years.
3.Check the Weight of the Fabric
Fabric weight is an excellent indicator of strong construction. Like with most fabrics, lightweight linen fabrics tend to be cheaper than heavier ones. If you want a high-quality linen fabric, choose one that is heavier.
4.Look at the Colours
Contrary to popular belief, the natural colour of linen is not white; it is pale yellowish-grey. This is because linen is made from flax fibres. If the linen you purchase is pure white, there’s very little chance it is high-quality.
5.Check for Wrinkles
Linen isn’t very elastic. This means that it’s likely to have wrinkles throughout the fabric. Natural wrinkles in the fabric are one of the best ways to tell you have purchased real linen.
6.Check to See How Absorbent It Is
Another great property of linen is that it is a highly absorbent fabric. When checking the quality of linen, test to see how absorbent it is.
7.Look at the Tightness of the Weave
One of the best ways to tell if you have purchased high-quality linen is by looking at the tightness of the weave. In most cases, the tighter the weave, the smoother the fabric, and the softer it is on the skin.
8.Look at the Price
Linen is one of the most challenging fabrics to weave. The manufacturing process is time-consuming and laborious, and the production costs are almost double that of cotton. Because of this, high quality linen is expensive to purchase.
As 100% flax linen has increased in popularity, so have its imitations. There’s a considerable number of linens on the market, but many are made from synthetic fibres. While these fabrics look and feel like linen, they don’t offer the same advantages as real linen. Thankfully, you can separate the dupes from the real thing by following the advice above.
