The Perfect Summer Fabric- Linen!

Linen is a "natural" for summer!

Linen is made from the flax plant, and feels smooth and cool to the touch. Each fiber has a hollow core, so it wicks away moisture from your skin and releases it into the air. It can absorb up to 20 percent of its weight in moisture before it even feels damp. It's anti-static as well as lint-free. It even resists mildew and moths. Yes, there is the matter of its propensity to wrinkle, but my philosophy is, “who cares? Everybody will know it’s REAL linen and will therefore be jealous of your super-chic comfort.” Iron it once before you leave the house, and then let the world do its worst.

Linen is the oldest known fiber to man- samples of woven linen have been dated back more than 8,000 years, and both the ancient Egyptians and Northern Eurpoean cultures believed that linen was a gift to man from their prospective godesses (Isis and Hilda). Who can argue? Linen is an unarguably splendid thing and probably was flung down here by one kind deity or another. 

Linen is durable, strong, and machine washable (for a softer look) or dry cleanable (to preserve a super crisp look). Although it's commonly woven as a basic weave, it is readily available in many different weights--from sheer, light weight handkerchief linen, to heavy canvas weight linens. It takes dye quite well, and is available in a full range of beautiful colors and prints. 

And as an added bonus, it's easy to sew! It's tight weave and even hand makes piecing and stitching a breeze. It's perfect for showcasing seam details and topstitching. It presses like a dream (unlike plastic-propertied polyester knockoffs), and behaves itself in hemming situations.

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Of course, we have the perfect class to get you acquainted with this addictive fiber. It guides you through making the Perfect Summer Sheath Dress! 

 

Sample of the dress made in the Summer Sheath class.

The class takes into account busy summer schedules and allocation of summer vacation funds--it’s just ten hours (with some easy homework, naturally), and allows some hybridization of couture techniques (underlining) with industry shortcuts (serging seam allowances). In addition to carrying a couple of bolts of linen in stock, sewBoise has linen samples in more than 50 different colors, and will be placing an order from our supplier this weekend. We'd love for you to take the class, but even if you don't, you're welcome to peruse our samples and place an order; the linen will be in next week.

Click here to find out more about the Summer Sheath class and to sign up.