Lovely Linen
Natural textiles, particularly Linen, have always been our passion.
Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibres that grow inside the stalks of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), one of the world's oldest cultivated plants. Flax is an annual plant, flowering in June before being harvested at the perfect time in August to ensure fibres are long and flexible and perfect for further processing, a lengthy and complicated business but one which we believe is well worth the effort! Flax fibres have a crystalline structure which makes them extremely robust - up to three times stronger than cotton fibres. This incredible structure transforms into a textile that is both strong and durable.
Flax is also extremely sustainable and kind to the environment because farmers do not need to irrigate or fertilise the flax during the growing process. The shorter fibres are removed and set aside for other purposes such as making paper, flax seeds are used to make linseed oil and ground flax seeds are reported to have multiple heath benefits for heart, digestion and the body's natural balance. All of this enhances the sustainability of the process.
Linen is a wonderfully soft and versatile textile, produced in an endless variety of gorgeous colours, designs, weaves and weights; it is equally suitable for clothing and soft-furnishings. It is light and absorbent and, unlike many fabrics, is easy to care for, actually improving in softness and character with each wear and wash. We use pure linen and linen/cotton blend fabrics to design and create our range of practical yet beautiful homeware and gifts. We put together coordinating designs and colours, unique to Linen & Thyme.