Linen curtains

Linen fabric - one of the few that are still made from natural raw materials. It is widely used for clothing and interior decoration. Consumers appreciate 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 coarse, pronounced texture of fibers. The uniqueness of the material lies in its versatility. From the threads, depending on their thickness, it is possible to weave both the thinnest tulle and dense fire hoses. Linen curtains - a stylish and extremely 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 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 linen woven in ancient Egypt. Because of the incredible lightness of the fabric compared with the "breath of a child." For clarity: 1 kg of yarn consisted of a thread about 240 km long. A modern ball of similar weight is unwound by 30-40 km. Linen cloth turned out so thin and weightless that folded in five layers, it is still slightly translucent. Any piece of clothing could be passed through the ring. In Egypt, the death of the crop of this plant was considered a real catastrophe. Linen things in antiquity were valued very highly. The cost of the canvas was determined using weights. A thing was put on one bowl, and gold was put on another according to its weight. Only wealthy people — mostly priests — were dressed up in such clothes. For mummification also used linen tape (bandages). They are perfectly preserved, as evidenced by the findings of Egyptologists. Some critics are skeptical that the bandages were impregnated with balsam that “preserved” them, but linen fabric in itself serves for a long time. It is believed that the secret of the "weightless" material was irretrievably lost.


    
In Rome, flax preferred women. In Russia, the cultivation of plants started late - only by the beginning of the XI century. Material weaved 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, linen matter was considered the lot of rich families. Although the cost of fabric fell in comparison with Egyptian prices, it 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" on natural fabrics. Cotton, although lower in cost, clearly lost to flax in this competition. The point is the unique properties of the hypoallergenic sheet, which is not only pleasant to the skin, but also treats for 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 the spinning mill, where yarn is obtained from them.

Tissue Types

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.
  • Dining rooms. Bleached or dyed fabrics used to make tablecloths and table napkins.
  • Clothes. This matter can be either monophonic or with a pattern on the surface. Use fabric for tailoring. Things can be used both in summer and in winter. In addition to feeling the coolness in the heat, flax perfectly warms.
  • Applied. Used for the manufacture of small jewelry (mainly for clothing).
  • Decorative. This type of fabric is used to decorate the interior. Of the decorative fabric is made mainly curtains, upholstery or pillowcases for decorative pillows.

There is also a classification by type of weaving:

  • Twill.
  • Cloth.
  • Krupnouzorchatoe.
  • Fine-grained.
  • Tracery.
  • Satin

Depending on the density of linen fabric and the method of weaving threads, the material is divided into subtypes:

  • Canvas. Used for making canvas for drawing.
  • Tarpaulin and canvas. Used for sewing tents, raincoats and waterproof specials. clothes. The material is woven from thick fibers and impregnated with special water-repellent compositions.
  • Sackcloth. Sewed bags are made from this coarse variety of linen fabric, but the material is often used in decoration because of its special texture.
  • Batiste. Lightweight material designed for tailoring and sophisticated lingerie.
  • Damask. Dense variety of linen fabric, which is used for sewing curtains and furniture upholstery.
  • Crinoline. Thick lining fabric.

In addition to the above types, Kolomyanka, fine linen, ravaduk, matting and tick are also found. All but the last one are mainly used for tailoring (from summer dresses to men's suits).

Also found flax yolk. This is a combined natural-synthetic material. It is almost 80% polyester, and the remainder is linen and spandex.

Advantages and disadvantages of linen curtains

The material from flax 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, tick), then it’s impossible to make a hole in it without sharp objects.
  • Resistance to chemical formulations containing acids. Such funds make flax softer.
  • Environmental friendliness and hypoallergenic. If you use the material for the manufacture of furniture upholstery, then on such a chair or sofa can sit any person, even with problematic or ultra-sensitive skin. The same rule applies to linen clothing.
  • Breathability. The material "breathes".
  • Low peeling. The surface of the material does not form the pellets. And no matter how much fabric was exploited.
  • Does not contribute to the emergence of static electricity, that is, it does not electrify.

The disadvantages of linen fabrics include:

  • Low elasticity. The material almost does not stretch.
  • Lack of alkali resistance. When exposed to such compounds flax matter loses strength.
  • A number of features when washing. Flax cannot be called a whimsical cloth, but boiling even white matter is prohibited. Soak it before washing is also impossible.
  • Burnout in the sun.
  • High price.

Another serious problem - the formation of "folds", which are typical for flax, high crushing. Matter does not "hold the shape" after ironing. Enough couples of awkward movements and curtains will look rumpled. This deficiency is especially acute in clothing. Home textiles just need to gently put on the right place and do not touch without need.

Variety of color palette

Flax fabrics are given a wide variety of color. However, more often still there are muffled tones: mustard, khaki, gray, olive, lilac, blue, beige, peach, cream, pearl. Gentle shades are universal and will suit any interior. Calm tones look great in a classic setting. In addition, linen fabric is considered non-marking, which significantly increases the use of curtains between washings. Quite often, natural canvas is decorated with drawings. Typically, this floral motifs and elegant draws. 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 chosen according to the principle of analogy. This option will help to link in a single composition different colors used in the interior.


    

What styles are used in

Linen curtains are universal. 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, praising naturalness and conciseness. The material is draped well, so the curtains are suitable for solid interiors decorated in ethnic (English, Italian, Dutch, German) styles. Simple curtains of burlap in harmony with the unpretentious rustic setting of the Russian hut or the decoration of the house, lost in the French outback (Provence). Linen fabrics are not combined with luxurious styles that require richer matter. For example, Empire style curtains, rococo and baroque curtains will look inappropriate.


    

Tips for choosing

When choosing linen curtains, you should listen to the advice of professional designers and ordinary people who ate the dog on the design of their houses:

  • Flax combines perfectly with cotton. Natural fabrics form the original multi-pattern combination.
  • To curtains not so creased, you should choose linen fabric with the addition of viscose.
  • Linen fabric, richly decorated with lace, suitable only for ethnic areas. It looks outdated and is associated with typical interiors.
  • Best of all the rough texture looks on a thin fabric. Translucent linen curtains - a mandatory attribute of marine and Scandinavian styles.
  • For the bedroom can not choose a material that imitates natural linen. If synthetic fibers are included, this will already negatively affect the ability of the fabric to "breathe" and its environmental performance.
  • If the curtains are decorated with a pattern, then it must necessarily overlap with the ornament on the upholstery of furniture or wallpaper.
  • For country style pick up simple curtains of burlap, which are decorated with lace garters. This attribute of the decor is easy to do by hand.


    

In modern styles often use concise monophonic curtains to the floor, which are easily adapted to both wood and metal surfaces in the interior.

How to hang

Linen curtains are usually hung in two ways:

  • Eyelets.
  • On the curtain tape.

The second option looks modest, but neat. If the window decor should be accent, catching the eye, it is better to use stylish metal grommets and the same eaves. It is not recommended to supplement linen curtains with a gang or lambrequins, as this contradicts the concept of laconicism, which is supported by textured material.

Determine the length

There are no standards for linen curtains. For the kitchen traditionally choose short curtains, which reach the window sill or battery. In the bedroom, living room, children's room is better to use long curtains. To make the curtains look neat, their length must end on some kind of horizontal surface: a window sill, a heating radiator, a floor, a desk placed against the window. It is impossible for the material to "hang out". Too long curtains not only get dirty faster, but also look very sloppy.

Care: how to wash, iron and need to starch

For washing linen curtains use liquid powders. They dissolve better in water. On the machine, select the mode "gentle wash". You can not boil linen fabric (even white). It is advisable to starch only thin, translucent linen curtains or tulle. The composition can be prepared by yourself: boil the starch in water, cool, dissolve in a bowl and rinse the curtains in it. It is difficult to stroke linen. Especially hard to cope with large canvases. While one area is smoothed, the other can be washed again at this point. Do not recommend steaming material. In a situation with flax it is useless. The iron needs to be heated strongly and carefully smoothed each fold. The treated part of the curtains need to gently straighten and move aside, not allowing it to fall to the floor from the ironing board. Facilitates the process of ironing the preliminary drying of the material in limbo.

Linen curtains in the interior

Linen curtains are easily integrated into the interior of any room. They look stylish and in a wooden private house, and in a modern city apartment. For each room, depending on the stylistic decision and functional purpose, a material of a certain color, density and composition is selected.

Living room

Luxurious two-color 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. This decision will overlap with the soft "skin" on the floor near the sofa, a glass coffee table, light wood furniture and simple decoration. For the living room, decorated in a rustic style, light curtains in shades of brown with an unobtrusive floral pattern are suitable. They are tied up on curtain ribbons and decorated with white lace garters. The picture of the canvas echoes the wallpaper in a small flower, patterns on the upholstery of upholstered furniture or decorative pillows. Forged items and wooden surfaces will make the composition complete. The cute, naive simplicity of country style in the living room is underlined by a bunch of flowers on the windowsill.


    

Bedroom

For a modern bedroom, dense linen curtains of soothing shades are selected: turquoise, olive, walnut, coral, yellow. Contrasts in the rest room are useless. To visually add a bedroom height, use the combined technique of fastening tulle and curtains. The upper fabric is fixed directly on the tubular cornice, and the inner one is hung on the rings. Curtains and tulle from flax, but of different shades and density, form a single composition. Curtains to the floor with simple cords instead of flowery garters will fit the minimalist bedrooms. The classic interior with an accent niche at the head of the bed, decorated with large flowers in the wallpaper, will emphasize 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 against" a radiator or a 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 colors: pear, titian, corn, marenovo, 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 the long curtains to the floor. Instead of pickups, the cloths are decorated with magnetic clips-tonal brooches. The original and concise mount can be independently woven from ropes, straps or wire and beads. Sprigs of artificial plants with rare patches of buds instead of grabs will create a mood in the kitchen and are ideal for the rough texture of flax. The sweet and rustic furnishings of the room are accentuated by short curtains with a small flower pattern. They are additionally decorated with a simple lambrequin of cotton in the perking cell. Colors matter selected on the principle of analogy. Lambrequins are not advisable to combine with linen curtains, but the rustic furnishings of the kitchen have to experiment. For a room decorated in a nautical style, curtains of two colors are selected: sandy-yellow and marine turquoise. Both shades are often used in beach house interiors. Turquoise tiles on the kitchen apron and snow-white furniture set complement the composition.


    

Conclusion

Although flax has never been forgotten, it has recently become a truly fashionable material due to the popularization of naturalness and naturalness. The material once again confirms the rule about the "well forgotten old." Linen fabric gives the interior a clean 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.

Watch the video: Linen Curtains under $50 No Sew (March 2024).

Leave Your Comment