What is Flax?
Flax has been part of our story from the very beginning — and the more we work with it, the more we appreciate its quiet complexity. Over the years, we have come to understand not just how linen is made, but why it matters. It is a fabric with a history, a character, and a depth that no synthetic material can replicate. If you would like to learn more about flax and why we love it so much, we would be happy to share our knowledge. Let's start with the basics.
The Unique Properties of Linen
Linen is Highly Absorbent
Fabric is woven from yarn spun from the fibers of the flax plant. These fibers are naturally hollow, giving the fabric unique moisture-absorbing properties. Linen can absorb up to 20% of its weight before it feels damp — making it an excellent choice for bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen textiles.
Linen is Breathable
Linen not only absorbs moisture well, but also releases and evaporates it quickly. The structure of the linen fiber promotes air circulation, so linen dries quickly and does not stick to the skin. It also has unique thermoregulatory properties — cooling in warm weather and warming in cold — making it the ideal choice for bedroom textiles.
Linen is Hypoallergenic
Linen is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the ideal choice for those with allergies or sensitive skin. It has long been valued for its soothing properties and gentle feel against the skin.
How Linen is Made
Natural linen fabric is woven from threads spun from specially processed flax plants. Flax has been grown in Europe for around 4,000 years and is one of the oldest crops cultivated by humans. The transformation of flax into linen fabric is a complex process that requires time, knowledge, and care — which is why linen has maintained its long-standing reputation and higher price compared to fabrics such as cotton.
1. Flax Flowering Season
Flax is usually sown in March and harvested in July. During its growth, the plant experiences various weather changes that determine the quality of the flax, the abundance of the harvest, and even the color of the fabric. Flax blooms with small blue flowers — its blue blooms stretch across the field like a sea of sky. Flax blooms for a relatively short time, which is why we have a saying in Lithuania: "Short flax bloom — long flax life" reflecting the exceptional durability of linen, far outlasting cotton.
2. Harvesting Flax
The best flax fiber is obtained when flax is grown in cooler, cloudy weather. After flowering, flax is pulled up by the roots rather than cut — this method preserves the entire length of the fiber, which is essential for producing strong, high-quality linen yarn.
3. Soaking the Fiber
The harvested flax is soaked in water until natural bacteria break down the pectin that binds the fibers together. The duration of this process is critical — too short a soaking time makes it difficult to separate the fiber, while too long weakens it and impairs quality.
4. Combing Process
After soaking, the flax is combed to remove unsuitable parts from the valuable fibers. Shorter, coarser fibers (called tow) are used for products such as rope and paper. Longer, finer fibers (called flax) are spun into yarn for linen textiles.
5. Spinning and Weaving
The cleaned flax fibers are spun into yarns and woven into natural linen fabric, which can be bleached or dyed depending on the desired result. To achieve softness, our linen is treated with natural stones — such as pumice — mixed with the fabric in large machines, giving it a soft, pleasant-to-touch texture and a naturally distinctive linen look.
All Linen Fabrics We Use Are Certified
We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality linen products, which is why all fabrics we use are OEKO-TEX® certified — ensuring they are free from harmful substances and safe for everyday use. But beyond certification, our commitment to quality is personal. Every piece we make carries a little of the same care and intention that started this journey — a belief that the things we surround ourselves with at home should be beautiful, honest, and made to last.