Washed handkerchief linen – ivory white

Product description

Handkerchief linen is a lightweight linen fabric that is especially well-suited to summer apparel. It is a perfect choice for a men’s linen shirt, a breathable, quick-drying alternative to the ubiquitous cotton tee. Lightweight linen has a laid-back, casual look that gets better with every wash.

For a lighter-weight variant, try our curtain linen. For something just a hair heavier, try our linen shirting.

Washed linen

This linen has been softened, so it’s nice to touch, without the roughness and scratchiness associated with raw linen.

Washed linen has a sort of crumpled look and a bit more drape, which works beautifully in garments with lots of flow or items you wear against the skin.

When purchasing, keep in mind that washed linens tend to have a slightly narrower bolt width because they shrink during the pre-wash process. The number you see in the width field on our website is the actual, usable width of this fabric.  At Sartor, we measure each fabric when it comes in and always list only the sewable width of the fabric, not including selvedge.

European Flax™ certification

This linen fabric is European Flax™ certified, which means that the yarn is of European origin and complies with mandatory standards. Europe has long been regarded as home to the highest-quality spinning flax in the world. Approximately 80% of the world’s textile spinning flax, regarded for its quality, is grown in Europe.

The European Flax™ certificate guarantees:

• European origin of the raw material
• Sustainable cultivation practices without unnecessary chemicals
• Processing without harmful solvents
• Maximum utilization of the entire plant

Qualities of linen

If there is a perfect fabric, linen may just be it. With a simple, natural beauty that has endured for centuries, it sews well, is easy to care for, and is just what you need for everything from small household items to new garments.

Linen in general is the ideal choice whenever you need a long-lasting natural material. Not only can it stand up to frequent washing, it actually softens a little every time. It stays beautiful for years, whether in a linen shirt or a kitchen towel.

Main advantages of linen:

• High strength and durability
• Excellent breathability and thermal regulation
• Antibacterial properties
• Quick drying
• Gets softer with every wash, with no loss of quality

Uses for handkerchief linen

Fine handkerchief linen is especially well suited to summer clothing.

• Dresses, wrap dresses, shirt dresses, tunics
• Skirts of all styles from full circle to A-line
• Ladies’ and men’s shirts, summer blouses
• Lightweight wide-leg trousers
• Wrap trousers

Tip: Linen is a popular choice for wedding dresses with a natural vibe and bohemian charm.

Use handkerchief linen for authentic period clothing and historical costumes

Linen has been a fashion constant for centuries and is perfectly suited for historical costumes. It takes both natural and synthetic dyes very well.

Simply authentic, 100% linen is ideal for:

• Historical undergarments
  - Men’s braies
  - Ladies’ shifts or chemises

• Period costumes
• Garment reconstruction
• Folk costumes

Use handkerchief linen for home decor

Handkerchief linen is perfect for interiors:

• Handkerchiefs of course
• Curtains for diffused light
• Linen sacks for herbs and dried mushrooms
• Napkins and tea towels that you can wash over and over again

Before you start sewing

Linen is easy to work with. Here are a few things you should know.

• Always pre-shrink linen fabric (soak in water) before sewing.
• Use sharp needles and good quality thread.
• Remember linen holds its shape and doesn’t really stretch, so choose a pattern accordingly.

Tip: Linen takes dye beautifully, whether you use natural dye or synthetic.

Caring for handkerchief linen

Proper care will lengthen the life of your fabric and enhance its natural qualities.

• For dyed linens, wash warm (40°C)
• White and undyed linens can be washed in hot water (60°C)
• Iron on the highest setting; may also be steamed
• If you hang dyed linen out to dry, choose a spot without direct sunlight
• If machine drying, use a short, gentle cycle

Linen rewards you over time. The longer you have it, the softer it gets.

Why buy fabric from us

We carefully select fabrics that meet our standards for quality, origin, and processing. Here is what you can expect from us:

• Quality material that lasts
• Fabrics that feel good to the touch for better wearing comfort
• Trusted suppliers
• Transparent information about fabric qualities
• All listed parameters are double checked by our own staff
• Comprehensive product descriptions that are in-depth, accurate, and based on hands-on experience
  • Every product passes through multiple checks and we often sew test garments to gather practical experience with a fabric before we write about it
  • We do not generate descriptions in bulk or have artificial intelligence write them for us – our team writes every description
  • More detailed descriptions reflect the care and attention we have put into them

So you know exactly what you are buying, and you can count on seeing the result in your sewing.