WE ARE ABOUT LINEN
Welcome to Northern Linen, where European flax is the heart of our craft. From the verdant fields of Rouen to the expanses of Flevoland, our commitment to sustainability shines through in every thread. Linen, prized for its durability and eco-friendly growth process, embodies elegance and comfort. Discover the timeless allure of linen with Northern Linen—where tradition meets modern luxury.
It all begins with sowing, where the farmer carefully selects a suitable area with well-drained soil. The tiny flax seeds are scattered evenly across the prepared soil. These seeds are then lightly covered with soil, ensuring proper seed-to-soil contact. The farmer tends to the seeds, providing them with adequate water and nurturing them until they sprout and flourish.
Pulling marks the culmination of months of careful cultivation in the flax-to-linen process. Timely harvesting, just before full seed ripening, is crucial to ensure fiber quality. Skilled workers delicately uproot the plants by hand, preserving fiber length and quality for stronger linen. While machines streamline harvesting, hand pulling persists in regions valuing traditional precision and craftsmanship.
In a tranquil setting near a water source, the flax sheaves are submerged, initiating the process of retting. Time becomes a gentle companion as the pectins that bind the fiber to the stalks break down. Patience is key as the flax sheaves soak, allowing nature to work its magic. The retting process varies. But after a span of 5 to 10 days, the fibers readily separate from the stalks.
Once retting is finished, the flax sheaves are carefully removed from the water and allowed to drain and dry slightly. This prepares them for the next step: baling. The farmer takes ache flax sheaf and gently strikes it against a hard surface to remove any remaining woody material. This process breaks the stems, liberating the valuable fibers. These fibers are then gathered and formed into bales.
After bailing, the fibers undergo scutching to further refine and clean them. The farmer lays the flax stricks, as the bales are called, on a flat surface. Using a specialized tool called a scutching knife, the farmer carefully scrapes the stricks, removing any residual woody debris and separating long fibers from the shorter ones. This meticulous process results in clean and smooth fibers ready for further processing.
Once retting is finished, the flax sheaves are carefully removed from the water and allowed to drain and dry slightly. This prepares them for the next step: baling. The farmer takes ache flax sheaf and gently strikes it against a hard surface to remove any remaining woody material. This process breaks the stems, liberating the valuable fibers. These fibers are then gathered and formed into bales.
The finishing stage is a crucial step where raw textiles are transformed into market-ready products. It involves cleaning, dyeing, printing, and various treatments to enhance the fabric’s appearance, durability, and functionality. This stage ensures that fabrics meet specific quality standards before being packaged and distributed to manufacturers, retailers, or consumers.
In the hands of garment makers and tailors, the linen fabric takes on new forms. Patterns are cut and stitches are placed, shaping the fabrics into dresses, shirts, trousers and more. Each garment is a testament to the marriage of craftsmanship and the inherent qualities of linen.