Linen Fabric

Linen is a 100% natural, woven fabric made entirely from the fibres of the flax plant. Because flax fibres are incredibly strong (much stronger than cotton), linen is renowned for its exceptional durability and longevity.

The weaving process often leaves small knots or thickened threads called “slubs” throughout the fabric; these are not defects, but rather the hallmark of authentic, high-quality natural linen.

“Better” depends entirely on your needs! Linen is significantly stronger, more absorbent, and dries much faster than cotton, making it the superior choice for extremely hot, humid weather.

It also has a more textured, luxurious appearance. However, cotton is generally softer straight off the roll, retains warmth better, and is far less prone to deep wrinkling than pure linen. This is why linen-cotton blends are so popular!

While there are many variations, dressmakers typically work with three main types. Damask Linen is woven on a jacquard loom to create intricate, reversible patterns, usually used for high-end tablecloths. Plain-Woven Linen (often called crash or glass linen) is the standard, durable weave used for clothing and tea towels. Loosely-Woven Linen is a highly breathable, almost sheer variation used for summer scarves and lightweight curtains.

While “linen” is the universal English term, you will often see it referred to by its French name, “Toile de Lin,” especially in high fashion or vintage patterns. Historically, very fine, tightly woven linen was also referred to as “Cambric” or “Batiste,” though today those terms are frequently used to describe fine cotton fabrics as well.