WE ARE ABOUT LINEN

Welcome to Northern Linen, where European flax is at the core of our craft. From the fields of Rouen to Flevoland, our sustainable practices are woven into every thread. Experience the elegance and durability of linen with Northern Linen—where tradition meets modern luxury. 

1. Sowing

The process begins with the farmer selecting well-drained soil. Tiny flax seeds are then evenly scattered across the prepared ground and lightly covered with soil to ensure good contact. The farmer carefully waters and nurtures the seeds until they sprout and grow into healthy plants.

2. Pulling

Pulling is the final step in flax cultivation, where plants are hand-harvested just before full seed ripening to preserve fiber quality. While machines aid harvesting, hand pulling remains vital in regions that value traditional craftsmanship.

3. Retting

In a tranquil spot near water, flax sheaves are submerged for retting. Over 5 to 10 days, the pectins binding the fibers break down, allowing the fibers to separate naturally from the stalks. Patience is key as nature takes its course.

4. Baling

After retting, the flax sheaves are drained, dried, and gently struck to remove woody material. This breaks the stems, freeing the valuable fibers, which are then gathered into bales.

3. Scutching

After baling, the fibers are refined through scutching. The farmer lays the flax stricks flat and uses a scutching knife to scrape away woody debris, separating the long fibers from the shorter ones. This careful process produces clean, smooth fibers ready for further processing.

4. Spinning & weaving

Spinning twists flax fibers into yarn, which is then wound onto spools. In the weaving process, this yarn is threaded onto a loom, where it is interlaced with perpendicular threads to create a strong, smooth linen fabric. This fabric is then ready for various uses.

5. Finishing

The finishing stage transforms raw textiles into market-ready products through cleaning, dyeing, printing, and treatments to improve appearance and durability. This ensures fabrics meet quality standards before being packaged and distributed.

6. Garment making

Garment makers and tailors transform linen fabric into various garments by cutting patterns and stitching. Each piece reflects the blend of craftsmanship and linen’s unique qualities.