Linen

Fabrics from the heart of Europe

Linen has been with us for millennia and is one of the oldest materials in the history of humanity. Even today, this delicate plant’s journey to the finished fabric is in harmony with nature. The positive qualities of linen start in the field: conscious, traditional flax cultivation protects the soil and harmonises with sensitive ecosystems.

Flax

Flax is a plant with modest needs, but it does need specific climate conditions. The fibre thrives best in maritime climates with its constant alternation of sun and rain coupled with lots of wind. The plant is sowed in March, from June it transforms the landscape into a sky blue sea of delicate flowers. Optimal conditions for flax cultivation can mainly be found in the coastal areas of northern France and Belgium. The world’s most delicate linen fibres are produced here. As we only use the highest quality raw materials, we only use linen yarns made from flax grown in these regions.

Harvest

When the plants are fully developed, harvesting begins. Flax isn’t cut off, rather it is pulled out of the ground along with its roots. After that, the plants are laid out in the field. The so-called dew-retting process begins: the alternation of sun, dew and rain and the help of bacteria and fungi from the soil expose the fibres hidden inside. Dew-retting is an environmentally friendly process as the nutrients are reabsorbed by the soil during the process.

Processing

After the retting process, the flax is fluted, meaning that the stalk is separated from the seeds. After that, the flax straw needs to be dried again so that the wooden parts of the stalk can be more easily bent and the final impurities can be removed during the further treatments - such as ginning, breaking, scutching and heckling. Only after all these steps can the flax fibres be processed into yarn in the spinning mill.

The spinning mill

Only selected raw material is suitable for the production of our yarns - only especially long and fine fibres are used, in order to achieve smooth and even qualities. The fibres pass through a water bath and are subsequently spun wet. Linen threads processed at our company are characterised by their colouring, their natural gloss and unrivalled regularity. In order to meet these special requirements, 27 harvests from various years and regions are blended with each other to produce our yarns.

Before weaving

The individual strands are arranged into a so-called warp. Up to 12,800 strands are unwound parallel to each other, with an unrivalled strand density of 40 threads per centimetre. In order to be able to weave these threads later, they are then smoothed - the warp passes through a starch bath, which gives the individual threads a protective layer to withstand friction and tension.

The weaving mill

At our weaving mill, warp and weft are combined into a detailed pattern. An interplay of thousands of threads creates fabrics of a wide variety of qualities, colours and designs. During the subsequent finishing process, fabrics from our company undergo further refinement processes to achieve their unique look and feel.

Jacquard

Jacquard is a speciality of the weaving trade - a method for weaving particularly elaborate, richly decorated and detailed patterns. In this technique, each of the thousands of threads can be individually controlled. The fabrics are completed during the subsequent refinement process.

Natural fibres

Natural fibres, especially linen, require considerate production methods. The weaving mill is dampened in order to provide the perfect conditions for processing the fibre. Even the weaving machine needs to be patient: our linens are woven many times slower than other materials, otherwise, the fibres would tear.

Our sewing studio

The fabrics are processed into elegant table linen, bedding, curtains, towels and accessories in our in-house sewing room. Pieces from our company are individually cut and sewn along the grain of the thread. Here, too, attention to detail is paid to the finishing: classic threaded buttons embellish products like bedding and pillows, while tablecloths and napkins are given an ajour hem, a type of eyelet embroidery.

About us

For six generations we have commited ourselves to creating products from finest fabrics. Discover the unique world of Leitner Leinen.

The Art of weaving

Behind the scenes of our weaving mill. Discover the art of Jacquard weaving and the becoming of fine threads into unique products.

News

Don't miss out. Read all about upcoming collections, products novelties and other worthwhile news from our manufactory.

Linen care

All important tips for the proper care of our products can be found here. From fine cotton and pure linen to our range of towels.