Linen Thread

[Caitlin]

Linen thread.

Linen is a product of the flax plant, which is one of the oldest cultivated plants known to history. It grew wild all over the Mediterranean. Linen has been claimed to be the oldest fiber spun into thread and garments. Examples have been found dating back to 5,000 B.C. At least one account says it is an older thread than wool and it is certainly even older than silk.
An excellent article in wikipedia says:

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.

and it also says this:

Linen is one of the few [threads]that are stronger wet than dry. It does not stretch and is resistant to damage from abrasion. However, because it has very low elasticity it can break if it is folded at the same place repeatedly. Mildew, perspiration, and bleach can also damage the fabric, but it is resistant to moths and carpet beetles. Linen is relatively easy to take care of since it resists dirt and stains, has no lint or pilling

Anther online article says:

In the British Museum, London, are pieces of mummy-linen 6,000 years old. Recently cuttings from these were microscopically examined and photographed (as illustrated) at the Linen Industry Research Institute, Belfast, and were found to be as structurally perfect as linen made today. This bears out in every particular the contention we make of its invincible resistance to the march of time. This is also important from the hygienic point of view, for there can be no doubt that harmful germs leave linen severely alone, otherwise, in these cases, the linen would long ago have turned to dust.

Egyptian Linen 1st Dynasty

Modern Linen - Recently Woven

Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen (as was the cowboy in the “Streets of Laredo folk song), so it has an extremely long history as a burial wrap. Scientists say all the other fabrics in the tombs of Egypt are decayed and gone, but a lot of the linen still persists. Jewish priests wore garments made of linen because it was considered to be a pure fiber.

To obtain linen fiber from flax, the flax plant is allowed to rot in water, until only the fiber is left. (This process is called “retting”) When cleaned from the retting process, the linen is separated into strands and spun. Linen can be spun extremely fine, which is used for fine linen sheets and clothing. It can also be spun into coarse threads and fabrics.

Linen takes dye extremely well and can be found in a variety of colors second only to silk thread. As a thread, linen is not stretchy compared to silk and it is far stronger. The only plant fiber stronger than linen thread is hemp thread.

From this history of linen we learn that linen is a formidable cloth, it is the strongest and purest material, it is unharmed by germs or worms, and it resists time and humidity. LINK

To find out more about linen and other natural fibers, try these books:

Eyewitness: Costume, by L. Rowland-Warne (2000).

World Textiles: A Concise History, by Mary Schoeser (2003).

Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years : Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times, by Elizabeth Wayland Barber (1995).
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I have never even thought of using linen fiber for knotting pearls, but Pattye mentioned that Care Ehret of Drusy Design used waxed linen thread for her fine pearls, so it seemed to be worth investigating. Having investigated, it certainly seems worth trying. It looks like if any thread can last for knotting pearls without picking up grunge, it would be linen.

 

[Caitlin]

Now, if I just knew what size/brand to buy.............

 

[Caitlin]

I have my requests out, though it is not the right weekend to be asking for instant responses ..... .Happy Easter to you too.

Since linen is used to make lace, don't you think it would knot well? It is used in bookbinders thread too. It really seems to be worth investigating.

Even if Carolyn doesn't knot, I bet some people would try it instead of say, Soft-flex. Linen might be a less challenging thread for new stringers.

Interesting linen words from the Wikipedia article on linen:

The word linen is derived from the Latin for the flax plant, which is linum, and the earlier Greek linon. This word history has given rise to a number of other terms:

• line, derived from the use of a linen thread to determine a straight line;
• liniment, due to the use of finely ground flax seeds as a mild irritant applied to the skin to ease muscle pain
• lining, due to the fact that linen was often used to create a lining for wool and leather clothing
• lingerie, via French, originally denotes underwear made of linen
• linseed oil, an oil derived from flax seed
• linoleum, a floor covering made from linseed oil and other materials

In addition, the term in English, flaxen-haired, denoting a very light, bright blonde, comes from a comparison to the color of raw flax fiber.

 

[Sueki]

I have several of Care Ehret's finished necklaces and bracelets, and they aren't knotted.
I believe that she doesn't knot unless specifically requested to do so.
I'm not sure that I'd want to risk knotting linen thread if it is liable to break when folded ?

 

[Caitlin]

Break when folded.
That is the question, though apparently it takes years for a collar to wear through on the fold.

How would Care (or anyone) attach the linen thread to the findings without a knot?

I am still looking stuff up online because I think it is worth a try.

 

[Valeria101]

I doubt anyone would want linen knots between their pearls (larger the silk knots, dull, with a penchant for fraying that waxing doesn't control completely).

Just wanted to drop a bit about linen known from weaving: linen and silk work together - mixed fabrics do not sag, even when transparent, hand-drawn monofilament silk is used. Traditional local weaving patterns use either linen or thicker raw silk threads in combination with the transparent drawn (monofilament) silk. It is quite spectacular to see how differently these two fibers age and wear, and older fabrics with distinct sections (e.g. wide alternating stripes) of either silk or linen make good samples. Unfortunately, my mother was the last to have a hand in all these things, my part was mostly watching and never had a chance to learn the whole process hands-on. You can be sure I regret it. Oh well...

Something to think about for beading with these fibers: perhaps the linen could be the support line and a silk thread used for conveniently small overhead knots? Just a thought. You are the beaders!

 

[Caitlin]

It would appear that every thread has pluses -and at least one downside.

Since one of our favorite sellers uses waxed linen thread, it is definitely worth discussing, especially- how does she use it? How does she attach it to the findings?

I am going to order some and make a knotted, hard wearing bracelet from it. I wonder if it lasts worse or better than silk?

I am looking for a blended thread- linen/silk also. No luck yet, though I am amazed at the many uses of linen- historical recreations, both as fabric and thread- even shields were made from it. The dead sea scrolls were found with linen stitching in some of them. Linen thread is used in embalming, bookmaking, in stitching shoes and other leather making. It is easily available for all stitching crafts, like embroidery. tatting, crochet, and lace making to name just a few.

I just had to come back and add this one: linen is used for bow and arrow bowstrings!! Now I wonder how they attach it-if there is any knotting involved.....

 

[Nerida]

I've had a recent discussion with Carolyn re knots, and Sueki is correct - no knots unless requested!

Re bowstrings - every bow I've ever used has horse(tail)hair, I've never heard of linen being used, and I just can't imagine linen in a bow.. The threads (hairs) are attached via a clamp - no knots at all, and the hairs lay perfectly flat, without even the slightest torsion on each strand. I'm interested if any other stringed instruments (I think I've played them all at some stage or another...) have used linen in the bow. Bowstrings take an unbelievable pounding!!

The thread question I have is: for a novice, who wishes to teach myself knotting, via some of the web pages members have mentioned - which thread do I start with? I have been putting some pearls on wire, but am now worried about what the wire will do to the drill holes. Just when I thought I could get by without learning to knot! But Pattye - how are all your beautiful pieces doing on wire? If knotting, what is the most user-friendly, novice-friendly medium??

Thanks all!

 

[boo]

LOL - I was presuming bow and arrow type bowstring, not violin type bowstring. So which is it, Caitlin?

 

[Caitlin]

I found the linen as bow string on a historical recreaters' site. They are still using it in re-creations.

I meant Bow and Arrow, not instrument. I can see why a musician would think that I meant a musical bow, but I have never heard of anything but horsehair for those either...... I'll go back and edit it to make it clear. Thanks!!!

Inge I am looking forward to your findings. I am looking forward to some posts on nylon threads and other synthetic threads, too, as some of the best professionals prefer nylon, when all is said and done.

I m also looking forward to seeing posts that help us source our favorite threads.

This site is supposed to be educational, and I think that getting the pros and cons of all these threads is going to be very helpful.