Linen fabric - one of the few that are still made from natural raw materials. It is widely used for clothing and home decor. Consumers appreciate this fabric, which nicely "cold" in the heat and absorbs excess moisture, allowing the body to "breathe." The material is light, but dense. Linen has a rough, pronounced texture of the fibers. The uniqueness of the material lies in its versatility. Of filaments, depending on their thickness may be very thin as a tulle weave and dense fire hoses. Linen curtains - stylish and extremely beautiful decoration. Let's talk about the amazing plants and ornamental fabrics which are made from it.
Content
- About flax: history, production, and interesting facts
- variety of fabrics
- Advantages and disadvantages of linen curtains
- The variety of color palettes
- In what style is applied
- Tips for Choosing
- How to hang
- Determine the length
- Care: how to wash, pat and whether starch needed
-
Linen curtains in the interior
- Living room
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
- conclusion
About flax: history, production, and interesting facts
The pioneers of flax became Indians. Nearly 10 000 years ago, here for the first time produced linen. It gradually replaced the "natural" material - animal skins. The plant began to grow everywhere. Unique Linen fabric woven in ancient Egypt. Due to the incredible ease of cloth compared with the "breath of the child." For clarity: 1 kg of yarn composed of filaments with a length of about 240 km. Modern ball of the same weight is unwound by 30-40 km. Linen turned so thin and weightless, that folded in five layers, it is still slightly translucent. Any item of clothing can be passed through the ring. In Egypt, the death of the plant crop was considered a disaster. Linen things in antiquity valued very highly. leaf value is determined using the balance. One bowl put the thing, and for another gold for its weight. In such clothes dressed up only wealthy people - mainly priests. For mummification is also used linen tape (bandages). They remained excellent, as evidenced by the findings of Egyptologists. Some critics are skeptical noticed that bandages soaked balm that they "preserved the" but linen fabric itself is long. It is believed that the secret of "weightless" material was irretrievably lost.
In Rome, flax favored women. In Russia, the cultivation of the plants do later - only at the beginning of XI century. Woven material only for their own needs. Until the middle of the XVIII century Catherine II gave official permission for the export of cloth. In Europe, for a long time been considered a linen fabric of affluent families. The cost price of cloth, though fallen in comparison with the Egyptian prices, but still remained high. Only after the Renaissance, such things could not afford even the poor. Now the flax is grown everywhere. In recent years there has been a real "boom" on the natural fabrics. Cotton, although lower in cost, flax clearly lost in the competition. The point is the unique properties of hypoallergenic fabric that is not only pleasant to the skin, but also cures from burning, itching, or other signs of irritation. special varieties of flax used to make fabric. First, soak the plant, then dried and thoroughly mash. The resulting flax raw blocks are sent to the spinning mill, where they are the thread.
variety of fabrics
Depending on the destination, linen fabrics are classified into the following types:
- Linen. They are used for sewing underwear and bedding. As a rule, the material is bleached.
- Toweling. Fabrics used for tailoring towels.
- Canteens. Plain Bleached or tissue from which sew tablecloths and napkins.
- Clothes. This matter can be either a monochromatic or patterned surface. Use a cloth for garments. Things can be used in both summer and winter. In addition to the feeling of coolness in the heat, linen warms excellent.
- Applied. Used for making fine jewelry (mainly for clothing).
- Decorative. This type of fabric used for interior decoration. A decorative material made mainly curtains, upholstery or pillowcases for decorative pillows.
See also:Installing curtain rods for curtains with his hands
Also, there is a classification by type of weaving:
- Twill.
- Plain.
- Large-figured.
- Melkouzorchatoe.
- Openwork.
- Satin.
Depending on the density of a linen fabric and a method of weaving threads, the material is divided into subtypes:
- Canvas. It is used to make a drawing canvas.
- Tarpaulin and canvas. Used for sewing tents, raincoats and waterproof spec. clothes. Woven material of thick fibers and impregnated with special water-repellent compositions.
- Sackcloth. From this rough varieties of linen sewn bags, but the material is often used in the decoration of a special invoice.
- Batiste. The lightweight material used for clothing and sophisticated lingerie.
- Damask. Dense variety of linen material, which is used for sewing curtains and upholstery.
- Crinoline. Thick lining fabric.
In addition to these types also found calamanco, fine linen, ravenduk, matting and teak. All except the last one, they are mainly used for clothing (from summer dresses and men's suits up).
Also found flax-Wisher. This combined natural-synthetic material. He is almost 80% of the polyester, and the rest falls on the flax and spandex.
Advantages and disadvantages of linen curtains
Matter of flax has many advantages:
- Strength. Durability. Linen cloth is not so easy to wipe or break. When it comes to solid matter (burlap, canvas, teak), then make a hole in it with no sharp objects impossible.
- Resistance to chemical compositions containing acid. Such tools make flax softer.
- Environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. If you use the material for the upholstery, then such a chair or couch can sit anyone, even with problematic or hypersensitive skin. The same rule applies to the linen clothes.
- Breathability. "Breathes" material.
- Low pilinguemost. On the surface of the pellet material are not formed. And no matter how much tissue was operated.
- Is not conducive to the emergence of static electricity, that is not electrified.
The disadvantages of linen fabrics include:
- Low elasticity. Material hardly stretches.
- The lack of resistance to alkalis. When exposed to such compositions linen fabric loses strength.
- A number of features in the wash. Linen can not be called whimsical cloth, but even boil the white matter is prohibited. Soak it before washing is also impossible.
- Burn-out in the sun.
- High price.
Another serious problem - the formation of "wrinkles", which is typical for flax, high creasing. The matter did not "holding form" after ironing. Only a couple of awkward movements and curtains will look rumpled. This shortcoming is particularly acute manifests itself in the clothes. Home textiles, simply put neatly set up on the spot and without the need to not touch.
The variety of color palettes
Textiles made of linen give the most diverse color. However, most still occur muted tones: mustard, khaki, gray, olive, purple, blue, beige, peach, cream, pearl. Gentle shades are versatile and suitable for any interior. Calm tones look great in a classic setting. In addition, linen fabric is considered to be non-marking, which significantly increases the time between the use of curtains washing. Quite often, a natural fabric decorated with drawings. Typically, this floral motifs and elegant script. Large prints, as well as bright, contrasting colors, too, a rarity. Tulle linen often decorated with embroidery, which is in harmony with the design of curtains. There are also two-colored curtains, shades which are selected on the basis of analogy. This option will help to coordinate in a single composition different colors used in the interior.
See also:Hidden cornices
In what style is applied
Linen curtains are universal. Pronounced texture of the material is ideal for eco-style, country, classic, modern. The best option would be curtains made of linen for the Scandinavian direction chanter naturalness and conciseness. The material is excellent drape, so curtains are suitable for solid interior is decorated in ethnic (English, Italian, Dutch, German) styles. Unpretentious curtains of burlap blended with lowly rural environment Russian hut or decoration of the house, in a lost remote French (Provence). Do not combine linen with luxurious styles that require richer matter. For example, would look out of place the curtains in the Empire style, rococo, baroque.
Tips for Choosing
When choosing linen curtains should listen to the advice of professional designers and ordinary people, who are "the dog ate" on the design of their homes:
- Len perfectly blends with cotton. Natural fabrics Multifacture form an original combination.
- To curtains not hesitated, you should choose a linen cloth with the addition of viscose.
- Linen, richly decorated with lace, suitable only for the ethnic areas. It looks dated and is associated with typical interiors.
- It is best to look at a rough texture thin tissue. Translucent linen curtains - a mandatory attribute of the sea and Scandinavian styles.
- Bedroom can not choose material that simulates natural linen. If it is composed of synthetic fibers, it has a negative impact on the ability of the fabric to "breathe" and on its sustainability.
- If the curtains decorated with a pattern, then it must overlap with the patterns on the upholstery of furniture or wallpaper.
- For the country style pick up simple curtains of burlap, which is decorated with openwork garters. Such decoration attribute is easy to do with their hands.
The contemporary styles often use concise plain curtains to the floor, which can be easily adapted to both wooden and metal surfaces in the interior.
How to hang
Linen curtains are usually hung in two ways:
- On the eyelets.
- At the curtain tape.
The second option looks modest, but neat. If the window decoration should be accentual eye-catching, it is better to use the stylish metal eyelets and a cornice. Complement linen curtains or lambrequins Bando is not recommended, as it contradicts the laconic concept that supports textured material.
Determine the length
Standards for the length of linen curtains do not exist. Kitchen traditionally chosen short curtains that reach the window sill or batteries. In the bedroom, the living room, children's room is better to use long curtains. To the curtains looked carefully, their length must end at some horizontal surface: the windowsill, heating radiator, floor, desk, set over to the window. "Dangling" We can not have stuff. Too long curtains not only get dirty quickly, but also look very messy.
Care: how to wash, pat and whether starch needed
For washing linen curtains, liquid powders. They are more soluble in water. Typewritten choose mode "gentle wash". You can not boil the linen cloth (even white). It is advisable to nakrahmalivat only thin, translucent linen curtains or tulle. The composition can be prepared independently, "cook" starch in water, cool, dissolve in a bowl and rinse it in the shade. Pat fabric from flax difficult. especially hard to cope with the large canvases. While there is a smoothed one area, the other at this point can be re-wrinkle. Do not recommend to strip material. In a situation with flax is useless. Iron is necessary to strongly heat and carefully smoothed every crease. The treated part the curtains to gently straighten and put aside, not letting it fall to the floor with an ironing board. It facilitates the process of ironing pre-drying material in limbo.
See also:Choosing curtains for gazebos and verandas
Linen curtains in the interior
Linen curtains can be easily integrated into any room. They look stylish and wooden private house, and in the modern city apartment. For each room, depending on the stylistic solutions and functionality, pick up material of a certain color, density and composition.
Living room
Luxury two-color curtains on eyelets underline the simplicity and naturalness of the Scandinavian interior room. Combine the white color of snow and blue, turquoise, royal blue shade ice. Such a decision would overlap with a soft "skin" on the floor near the sofa, glass coffee table, light wood furniture and simple decoration. For the living room, decorated in a rustic style, suitable light curtains in shades of brown with an unobtrusive floral pattern. Their tie to Curtain tape and decorated with delicate white garter. Figure paintings echoes the wallpaper in the small flower, patterns on the upholstery or decorative cushions. Forged components and make the finished wood surface composition. Sweet, naive simplicity of country style in the living room highlight the bouquet of fresh flowers on the windowsill.
Bedroom
For modern bedrooms pick dense linen curtains quiet tones: turquoise, olive, walnut, coral, yellow. Contrasts in the common room to anything. To add visual height of the bedroom, using a combined technique of lace and curtains attachment. The top sheet is fixed directly on the tubular ledge and hang on the inner rings. Form a single composition curtains and blinds from flax but different shades and density. By the minimalist bedrooms fit curtains to the floor with simple ropes instead of flowery garters. Classic interior with accent niche at the head of the bed, decorated with wallpaper in the large flowers, underlined bilateral linen curtains. From street web is white in color, and the inside is colored in a contrasting hue (olive, cranberry, lingonberry).
Kitchen
Kitchen is best to choose a short curtains that are "resting" on the radiator or window sill. As the curtains in the room will absorb odors and subjected to frequent washing, it is best to choose a linen cloth with the addition of viscose. It easier to smooth. Among shades recommend choosing warm colors: pear, Titian, maize, Rubiaceae, amber, salmon, cinnabar, ocher. If the kitchen combined with dining room, and dining group is located in the bay window, then choose the long curtains to the floor. Instead grabs fabric decorated with magnetic clips, brooches to match. Original and succinct mount can be independently weave of cords, straps or wire and beads. Sprigs of artificial plants with rare buds instead grabs create a mood in the kitchen and is ideally suited to the rough texture of linen. Nice and rustic atmosphere of the room is emphasized stubby curtains with a pattern of small flowers. They are additionally decorated with lambrequins simple cotton in provocative cell. The colors of matter are selected on the basis of analogy. Pelmets is not advisable to combine with linen curtains, but the atmosphere is rustic kitchen to experiment. For rooms, decorated in a nautical style, pick up the curtains in two colors: yellow sand and turquoise sea. Both colors are often used in the interiors of the beach houses. Turquoise tiles in the kitchen wearing an apron and a snow-white furniture set will complement the composition.
conclusion
Although flax has never indulged in oblivion, recently it has become really fashionable material due to the popularization of genuineness and naturalness. Material once again proves the rule of the "well-forgotten old". Linen fabric gives the interior clean and light freshness. It is used not only for sewing curtains. Pillowcases for decorative pillows, upholstery and blankets, bedspreads, tablecloths, napkins. towels - all of which help succinctly, but nicely decorate the room.