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Table Linen- Fabrics Types

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Kitchen and table linens are made of a number of fabric types. These fabrics used for making kitchen linen products are such that they suit the requirements and purpose of the kitchen linens. For example such fabric types that are prone to catch fire easily are not used for making kitchen linens. Similarly, for making table linen products, such fabric types are used that are suitable for the specific purpose of tables. For example, a dining table cover is made from such fabrics that are mostly considered stain resistant fabrics. This is done because there is every possibility of spill overs and stains during dining. Therefore, the types of linen fabrics used by table kitchen linen manufacturers are such that have quality and protective properties

Types of Fabrics for Table Kitchen Linen
There are many types of linen used for making a veriety of fabric products. This can be understood by reading the vast linen glossary. However, not all these types of linen are used for making table kitchen linen. Following types of fabrics are widely used for making table and kitchen linen:

Cotton Fabric
Linen Fabrics
Hemp Fabric

A brief description about the above mentioned types of linen fabrics along with their characteristic features and caring instructions are given here for maximum life and utility of table kitchen linens.

Cotton Fabrics

Cotton Fabric is noted for its versatility and its natural comfort. It is perhaps the most popular kitchen and table linen fabric. Cotton cloth has been used since primitive ages dating back to about 3000 B.C. Today, the main uses of cotton is in the form of garments, home furnishings, and industrial cloths apart from being used for making kitchen linens and table linens. Cotton fabric undergoes various finishing processes to meet specific end use requirements. There are numerous sub types of cotton fabrics that are used for such varied purposes. To know about the various types of cotton fabrics available, refer to the Glossary of Cotton Fabrics.

Cotton table and kitchen linens are available in numerous designs and styles and in a rainbow of colors. Most of the linen decoration techniques can be applied on cotton fabric to make attractive table and kitchen linens. Innovative patterns are either embroidered or printed or painted on these linens to make them look even more beautiful.

Characteristics of Cotton Fabric
The following characteristic features of cotton fabric makes it the most preferable fabric types for making kitchen as well as table linens.

Comfortable
Soft hand
Absorbent
Absorbs and release perspiration quickly
Can stand high temperatures
Good color retention, prints well
Machine-washable, dry-cleanable
Good strength
Easy to handle and sew
Flame retardant
Pleasant matte luster
Good elasticity

Types of Cotton Weaves
Cotton fabrics with almost all types of weaves are used for making kitchen linens.

Diaper Cloth is a twill, dobby or plain woven absorbent cotton.
Dimity is sheer, thin, white or printed fabric with lengthwise cords, stripes or checks.
Drill is a strong twilled cotton fabric, used in men's and women's slacks.
Duck is a heavy, durable tightly woven fabric. Heavy weight drill is used in awnings, tents, etc. Lighter duck is used in summer clothing.
Flannel cotton is plain or twill weave with a slight nap on one or both sides.
Flannelette is a soft cotton fabric with a nap on one side.
Gauze is a sheer, lightly woven fabric similar to cheesecloth. Is also made in silk.
Gingham is a lightweight, washable, stout fabric that is woven in checks, plaids or stripes.
Lawn is a plain weave, soft, very light, combed cotton fabric with a crisp finish.

Care of Cotton Fabric
Although cotton is a very durable fabric, a litle care for cotton kitchen linens can make it last for more long periods.

Cotton can be easily laundered. It can withstand high temperatures.
Any good detergent can be used to wash cotton.
It requires frequent pressing as it wrinkles easily.
Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily.

Linen Fabrics

Linen fabric types are noted to be the most luxurious, comfortable and elegant types of linen. Linen fabric is made from vegetable fibers called flax. Flax is a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. The luster is from the natural wax content.

Linen has long been used for making decorative and functional table cloths and napkins. Linen is the strongest fabric- even stronger than cotton. Apart from being a strong fabric it is also lint free and is used for various purposes.

Characteristics of Linen Fabrics
All types of linen fabrics have many properties that make them even a better choice for kitchen linen as compared to cotton. Most of these linen properties are common to all the types of linen fabrics and include the following.

Comfortable
Good strength, twice as strong as cotton
Hand-washable or dry-cleanable
Gets softer with each wash
Crisp hand
Tailors well
Absorbent
Dyes and prints well
Lightweight to heavyweight
No static or pilling problems
Fair abrasion resistant
Good conductor of heat
High tensile strength

Types of Linen Weaves
Like cotton, the linen fabric is also made with different weave types from among which the following weaves are extensively used for kitchen and table linen products.

Damask : It is a jacquard weave, is a reversible rich weave, patterned in satin or plain weave.
Venise : It is a very fine damask table linen consisting of large floral patterns.

Care of Linen Fabrics
With a little care for linen fabric, one can make the table kitchen fabric products more durable. Some facts about care of linen fabric are listed here.

Linens can be hand washable but some are recommended to be dry cleaned especially decorative linen.
White linens should be dried in the sun, if to help them to keep their whiteness.
Linen just loves to be washed and ironed. The more linen is washed the softer, nicer and shinier it becomes.
If the water you use is hard due to a high lime content add a softening agent, especially for darker-colored articles. Use plenty of water because linen is very water-absorbent.
Do not soak, boil off, rub or wring out embroidered articles.
Linen is best stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area.
Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless treated for crease resistance.

Hemp Fabric

Hemp is a soft and warm fabric made from a bast fiber of a plant. Hemp fabric is obtained from the stems of the plant. The stems of the plant are processed to dissolve the gum or the pectin found in it. The fiber is then separated and again processed. After the processing is over, it is woven into yarns and fabric. The finest hemp fabric is produced in Italy. China is the world's leading producer of hemp.

The valued primary fibers are contained around the hollow, woody core of the hemp stalk. These are converted into beautiful apparel and decoratives. Hemp make good table and kitchen linen because of its durability. Most of the time, hemp fabric is used as backing fabric for decorative table linen like table mats or coasters.

Characteristics of Hemp Fabric
The following characteristic features of hemp fabric makes it a good choice for the table kitchen linen fabrics.

Durable and strong
Absorbent
Naturally resistant to mold, mildew, rot
High heat conductivity
Low elasticity
Beautiful luster
High affinity for dyes
UV resistant
Good abrasion
Softens with each washing, without fiber degradation
Breathable
Wrinkles easily

Care of Hemp Fabric
Like other fabric types for kitchen and table linen, hemp fabric too requires some care for a long life.

It should be washed with warm water.
It should not be washed with bleach as bleach may weaken the fabric surface.
It is naturally mothproof and so can be stored easily.
Avoid drying cupboards which have heated pipelines running through because it may discolor hemp.
Use a dye free detergent with satin lifter.

Tags:- Hemp Linen Fabric, Kitchen Linen Fabric Characteristics, Table Linen Fabric

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