Irish linen
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2008-05-06T19:11:12Z
Loggie
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/* See Also */
'''Irish linen''' is the [[brand]] name given to [[linen]] produced in [[Ireland]]. Linen is cloth made from the [[flax]] [[fibre]], which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of quality flax cultivation in [[northern Europe]] (Most of the world crop of quality flax is now grown in Northern [[France]], [[Belgium]] and the [[Netherlands]]). Since about 40 to 50 years ago the flax fibre for Irish Linen yarn has been, almost exclusively, imported from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is bought by spinners who produce yarn and this, in turn, is sold to weavers (or knitters) who produce fabric. Irish linen spinning has now virtually ceased, yarns being imported from places such as Eastern Europe and China.
Weaving continues mainly of plain linens for niche, top of the range, apparel uses. Linen [[damask]] weaving in Ireland has less capacity, and it is confined at very much the top end of the market for luxury end uses. The companies continuing to weave in Ireland tend to concentrate on the quality end of the market, and [[Jacquard weaving]] is moving towards the weaving of specials and custom damask pieces, made to the customers own individual requirements. Fabric which is woven outside Ireland and brought to Ireland to be bleached/dyed and finished cannot carry the [[Irish Linen Guild]] logo, which is the [[Guild]] [[trademark]], and signifies the genuine Irish Linen [[brand]].
Irish Linen [[yarn]] is defined as [[yarn]] which is spun in [[Ireland]] from 100% [[flax]] fibres. Irish Linen [[fabric]] is defined as fabric which is woven in Ireland from 100% linen yarns. Some people mistakenly believe, that to be genuine Irish linen, every stage, from the growing of the [[flax]], to the weaving, must take place in Ireland. Flax is not Irish linen, Irish linen is made from flax. What constitutes genuine Irish linen has been defined by the [[Irish Linen Guild]]. To be Irish linen fabric the yarns do not necessarily have to come from an Irish spinner, and to be Irish linen yarn the flax fibre does not have to be grown in Ireland. However, the skills, craftsmanship, and technology that go into spinning the yarn must be Irish, as is the case with Irish linen fabric, the design and weaving skills must be Irish, and must take place in Ireland.
Finished garments, or household textile items can be labelled Irish linen, although they may have been made up in another country. Irish linen does not refer to the making up process, i.e. cutting and sewing. It refers to where the constituent fabric was woven or knitted.
==See Also==
* [http://www.fergusonsirishlinen.com/aboutLinen/?ID=2 History of Irish linen]
* [http://www.irishlinenmills.com Irish Linen] - The Fabric of Ireland
{{Fabric}}
[[Category:Textiles]]
[[Category:Linen industry in Ireland]]
[[id:Linen]]