Linen has been used as a fiber for millennia. It comes from the flax plant, and while flax is grown all over the world, experts agree that the finest is grown in Belgium and France. Flax seeds are sown in March and after about 90 days the plants bloom, each delicate blossom lasting only one day. After about 100 days, in June or July, when the plants are approximately 4 feet tall, the flax plants are harvested. Rather than being cut, plants are pulled out of the ground ensuring the fibers which continue through the stalks down into the roots are as long as possible. The plants are then laid flat in the field for a couple of weeks to “ret”. The natural process by which dew, rain, and sunshine on the harvested plants begins to break down the outer layer of the stalks. In a few weeks, when the crop is ready, it is picked up by machines and brought to the mill for the next steps: removing all of the outer stalk fibers, separating, cleaning, combing, and finally spinning into thread that can be woven into linen fabric.
