LINEN - Fabric made from the flax (Linum) plant are truly linen. Flax is one of the oldest cultivated crops and one of the strongest natural fibers. Prized for its beauty, linen is also valued for its durability, body, and texture. Due to its limited production, flax is a prestigious fiber as its production combines science, art, and craft.
	Flaxes form a large group of annual, biennial and perennial herbs and are native to the temperate regions of the world. The flowers may be yellow, red, orange, pink, blue, or white. This lovely blue perennial flax can be found in our Bunch of Bloomers gardens. It grows 2 feet tall, although the individual flowers only last a short time they are numerous and show from June until August. The common flax (Linum usitatissimum) is used to manufacture linen. It is an annual with blue flowers growing 4 feet high.

	CARE OF FINE LINENS
	Storing - roll and wrap your linens in acid-free tissue paper and store in a dry place. Do not store in a plastic bag or a humid place such as attics or basements. Store linens cleanly washed, unstarched, and unfolded, rotate every 6 months. Use a lavender sachet in linen closet to keep your linens smelling fresh. Cleaning - (test a small area first), these are some of the tips and hints which I have read and researched for restoring old linens. Soak the linens for hours to break down the soil. Fill washing machine with mild temperature water, use a non-detergent soap such as Ivory Snow, Biz, Clorox II, or Linen Wash. Place the linens gently into the washer (small items in a net bag) and soak for hours. After the soak, gently agitated for only 10 seconds, empty tub, refill with cold water and swish by hand for 30 seconds. Continue this process until all soap is removed. Gently spin for only 10 seconds to remove excess water. If stains remains (material must be in good condition) try natural lemon juice then salt, place in bright sun for 15-20 minutes, then flush with boiling water. Dry by hanging, do not place in drier. Ironing - while still damp use a dry iron, depending on the embroidery usually iron on wrong side. Use a liquid starch such as Linit Starch or Sta-Flo.