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Linen fabric has long been one of the world’s most loved and luxurious fabrics. Quilts are also a beloved product that continues to be a favorite piece of bedding for many people all over the globe. However, not many people know about the history of linen and quilts and the role they play in our lives today. This interesting article provides you with a brief history of linen production and quilt making including the material’s ancient origins, the role of linen in quilting, its influence on quilt aesthetics, and more.
What is the origin history of linen? Linen fabrics began by harvesting the flax plant, the first textile to be produced by humans. In fact, the oldest scraps of flax linen were discovered in a prehistoric cave in the Caucasus and are estimated to be approximately 34,000 years old. In ancient Egypt around 5,000 B.C., people ran a moneyless economy where goods were exchanged instead of cash to receive other goods or services of an equivalent value. Linen was used to make clothing, bedding, and even mummy bandages. Today, the flax Egyptian linen once used in Egyptian tombs remains beautifully preserved.
Ancient civilizations such as the Romans also used linen textiles for clothing, battle wear, and more. Eventually, the linen trade began to reach the farthest corners of the globe, as the ancient Phoenicians exported linen yarn to countries like Scotland, India, China, and Persia. In cooler climates throughout Europe, the material was used to make linen garments like shirts, chemises, and shifts that were worn underneath heavier wool garments. From Ancient Egypt to Greece and Europe, the material was common for everything from furnishings to clothing and more.
Transforming flax into linen fabric meant that linen making was a labor-intensive process. After hand-harvesting the flax plants and stalks, they were dried, and the seeds were removed. Fibers were loosened from the stalk and then placed into tanks where bacteria removed the pectin and bound the fibers together. Woody portions of the stalks were crushed between two metal rollers to separate them. Short fibers were separated with special combs and then spun into yarns or woven into textiles which could be dyed, printed, or finished in other ways.
Early quilts consisted of padded layers of linen originally designed with a simple, utilitarian purpose. Before the sewing machine and the industrial revolution, all quilt making was done by hand sewing. Settlers from western European countries took the art of quilting to a new level. Not only were traditional quilts used as bedding, but they were also used to hang over doors and windows to keep the cold out of homes. Linen fibers and fabrics were a popular choice for early quilts because of the material’s durability and breathability.
Since many linen products were used as clothing, early settlers would take scraps and re-use them to make handmade medallion quilts and patchwork quilts for the home. These extra fabric scraps would also serve as the inner layer of quilts to increase the loft and warmth. After the invention of the cotton gin, more affordable and easier-to-access fabric options became available. This resulted in turning quilts into works of art and a standard decoration for the home rather than just everyday blankets. From 1750 to 1850, thousands of beautiful Amish quilts and other styles became precious heirlooms that can now be found in museums such as the Smithsonian Institution and others all over the United States.
As the long history and many uses for the world’s linen evolved over time, so did quilting techniques. More utilitarian quilts used for warmth during the Victorian era eventually featured intricate designs that made them a beautiful piece of décor for the home that could hang on walls or be placed on tables as decorative linens. When cotton became more accessible and affordable, it replaced linen as a filler for quilts. This allowed new techniques to be adopted that made linen quilts more beautiful than ever before.
Stitching also changed as linen bedding became more commonplace. In North America in the 19th century, Amish women and other settlers would gather together and enjoy making quilts together as a group. A tradition called a quilting bee involved a group of women who made custom quilts for girls planning to get married. Finer fabrics like linen continued to serve as the outer layer of quilts, while more affordable options were used as the inner layer as textile production evolved.
Linen’s natural color and luxurious feel influenced the aesthetics of quilts. Because of its subtle, earthy tones, linen continued to be the most popular choice for a plethora of versatile quilting projects. From corded quilting to a handmade medallion quilt, this fabric continues to be the preferred yarn for many today. Unlike many fashion fabrics, linen’s sustainable nature also makes it a smart option for the eco-conscious consumers of today. The subtle tones, soft texture, and breathable feel give linen quilts a high-end aesthetic that’s still within an affordable price range.
Wealthier women who had access to sewing machines were able to create more intricate designs. The colorful mix of different textures and fabrics made early quilts a symbol of wealth and stature. Today, it’s easier for more people to enjoy the beauty and functionality of linen quilts. From classic earthy tones to stonewashed linen bedding, these quilts are found in every type of home ranging from classic and traditional to high-end and modern spaces.
Now that you know more about the link between modern linen and quilts, it’s easy to see why this material is still a popular choice today. From the ancient world to the Middle Ages and beyond, linen has long been a beloved fabric. At Or & Zon, we offer a wide range of beautiful linen quilts and much more to enhance your life and home.
