Irish linen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Irish linen is the brand name given to linen produced in Ireland. Linen has been spun and woven in Ireland for centuries, and during that long period the Irish have gained the skills to produce the best quality fabrics. Linen is made from the flax fibre, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of flax cultivation in northern Europe (Most of the world crop of quality flax is now grown in Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands). Today flax for Irish Linen yarn is imported from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is bought by spinners who produce yarn and this, in turn, is sold to weavers (or knitters) who make fabric. Irish linen spinning has now virtually ceased, yarns being imported from places such as Eastern Europe and China.
Weaving continues mainly of plain linens for niche, top of the range, apparel uses. Linen damask weaving in Ireland has less capacity, and it is confined at very much the top end of the market for luxury end uses. The companies continuing to weave in Ireland tend to concentrate on the quality end of the market, and Jacquard weaving is moving towards the weaving of specials and custom damask pieces, made to the customers own individual requirements. Fabric which is woven outside Ireland and brought to Ireland to be bleached/dyed and finished cannot carry the Irish Linen Guild logo which signifies the genuine Irish Linen brand.
Because of its strength when wet, Irish linen is the best wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands.
[edit] Classification as Irish
Irish Linen yarn is defined as yarn which is spun in Ireland from 100% flax fibres. Irish Linen fabric is defined as fabric which is woven in Ireland from 100% linen yarns. The yarns do not necessarily have to come from an Irish spinner and sometimes come from Italy, France and the Far East. Products made from Irish Linen fabric may be labelled "Irish Linen" with the Irish Linen Guild trademark. The Irish Linen Guild is the official promotional body for the industry and was formed in 1928.
Goods made from Irish Linen fabric (including clothes and table or bedlinen) are often shipped to garment manufacturing plants across the world where they are made up to designers or retailers specifications.
Because of country of origin laws, these products may end up being labelled Made in X whereby X is the country they were made up in. Consumers are often confused by this, especially if the product is also labelled "Irish Linen". The linen is "Irish Linen" if it is woven in Ireland – regardless of where the garment or product is made up.
The Irish Linen Guild’s labels and swing tags stress this to avoid confusion for consumers and retailers. The Guild authorises the use of sew in labels displaying the distinctive "Carpet Beater" logo which signifies genuine Irish linen.
