A Brief History of Linen Fabric

You probably know linen as a wonderfully versatile fabric used by drapery and upholstery makers throughout the world. 1502 Fabrics stocks and sells beautiful bolts of Braemore, Covington and Waverly linen fabric; it wasn’t always so easy to obtain.

Linum usitatissimum, more commonly known as flax, is one of the oldest cultivated plants on the planet. Some of the earliest examples of linen were found in Egypt where flax was spun into a fabric that was used to make everything from day-to-day clothing to ceremonial tunics. As a testimony to its durability, the strips of linen fabric that were used to wrap the mummies of kings Ramses II and Tutankhamen were found to be intact many centuries later.

Once widening trade routes brought linen fabrics and flax plants to Europe, Asia and the Americas, worldwide linen production began in earnest. Coarse linen was used to make butchers aprons in France, and heavy linen fabric was used to back the elaborate tapestries of Britain in the Middle Ages. Today linen fabric is well-appreciated as a handsome and durable fabric that adds textural appeal along with elegant, understated beauty.

When you’re ready to know more about linen or any of the other first-class upholstery fabrics in the 1502 Fabrics catalog, give us a call at 855.473.2270.