LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Linen
built 657 days ago
Linen textiles may be the oldest in the world. Their history goes back many thousands of years. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns and various types of fabrics which date back to about 8000 B.C. have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Linen was used in the Mediterranean in the pre-Christian age. Linen was sometimes used as currency in ancient Egypt. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen because it was seen as a symbol of light and purity, and as a display of wealth.
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Linen is from flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. The luster is from the natural wax content. Creamy white to light tan, this fiber can be easily dyed and the color does not fade when washed. Linen does wrinkle easily but ... presses easily. Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber.
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Linen fabrics have a high natural luster and their natural color ranges between shades of ivory, tan, or grey. Pure white linen is created by heavy bleaching. Linen typically has a thick and thin character with a crisp and textured feel to it, but can range from stiff and rough to soft and smooth. When adequately prepared, linen has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. It can gain up to 20% moisture without feeling damp.
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Linen unfortunately does wrinkles. This is because of its low elasticity which gives it a hard, smooth texture. Since linen is able to absorb and release moisture quickly it is the perfect fabric for tables.
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Linen fabric is one of the preferred traditional supports for oil painting. In the United States cotton is popularly used instead as linen is many times more expensive there, restricting its use to professional painters. In Europe ... linen is usually the only fabric support available in art shops. Linen is preferred to cotton for its strength, durability and archival integrity.
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Linen is a crisp fabric that doesn't drape. The biggest mistake people make with linen fabric is using the wrong weight for their project, such as heavy-weight linen for a blouse or tissue weight for pants. Observe linen fabric weights used in read-to-wear and choose the weight for your project accordingly.
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