Linen is one of the most popular fabrics used in various functions. Linen fabric is used in clothing, decorating homes, interiors and other accessories. Linen fabric is strong, absorbent and dries faster than cotton. Textiles made of linen are produced from the flax plant fibre that is transformed into yarn. This yarn is woven or knitted to produce strong and sustainable linen fabric. Hence, it can be understood that linen is a vegetable because it is prepared from cellulose fibres growing inside the stalks of Linum usitatissimum. 

Linen can be made either by hand or with machines. Hand-woven linen fabric has the artisanal flair of several craftsmen in its construction. However, Machine-made linen is created by applying technology through machinery.

It is very important to understand the correct linen fabric comparison before purchasing linen products. While purchasing, a customer looks for higher quality and strength. On the contrary, low-quality and blended linen fabrics are comparatively flimsy and gauzy, which tend to lose their strength and durability faster over time. This article is about handmade linen and machine-made linen and their comparison. 

What Is Machine-Made Linen? 

Machine-made linen is typically used in industries for garments, fashion, home textiles, upholstery fabric, and more and more these days. Machine-made linen can be understood as an industrially constructed linen whose raw material is cellulose obtained from stalks of the flax plant. Used for large production of linen, the process incorporates various technology applications, giving customers a desire for efficiency and uniformity in fabric production.

What Is Handmade Linen? 

The raw material used to make any linen product, like linen fabric for clothing, is the cellulose found in the stalks of flax plants. Unlike industrially produced machine-made linen, handmade linen fabrics are the result of handcraft involved at almost every step of their production.

Key Differences Between Handmade And Machine-Made Linen 

Production Of Linen

1. Handmade linen

Step - Harvesting

Harvesting the flax plant for fibre is done by hand after the ripening.

Step 2 - Retting

Water is used to separate the flax fibres from the stem. After that, it is dried.

Step 3- Breaking

To separate the hard stem from the main fibres, dried stalks are beaten by hands using thick wooden sticks.

Step 4 - Scutching

The process of separating broken pieces of the stem from the fibre, done by hand, is scutching. 

Step 5 - Hackling

It is the process of removing dirt to make the fabric smooth and straight. 

Step 6 - Spinning

The final fibre is spun by hand to make yarn

Step 7 - Weaving

Manual looms are used to spin fibres into final pieces. Handmade linen weaving is quite a time-consuming process. 

Step 8 - Finishing

The linen is washed, softened, and sometimes bleached or dyed to give it its final appearance.

Machine-Made Linen Production

Machine-made linen production is a highly efficient and mechanized process that transforms flax fibres into fabric. Here are the main steps involved:

Step 1- Harvesting

Modern machinery is used to cut and collect the flax efficiently and quickly.

Step 2- Seed removing

An automatic process to separate seeds from the flax stalks is called rippling or seed removal.

Step 3- Retting

Mechanical retting ( with water) or automated retting is used for fibre separation from the stalls. 

Step 4- Breaking

Mechanical rollers are used to break the woody parts of stalks.

Step 5- Scutching

Rotating blades or brushes separate the residue produced in the baking process.

Step 6- Hackling

Aligning the fibres mechanically is done after scutching 

Step 7- Spinning

In a big spinning machine, this aligned fibre is transformed into yarn.

Step 8- Weaving

With the help of automated looms, the yarn is converted to fabric.

Step 9- Finishing

Woven fabric undergoes bleaching, printing and dying to get the desired product. Sometimes, softening agents are also used.

Global Significance Of Handmade Linen

1. European countries, including France and Belgium, are known for producing superior linen that is made from ideal soil and climatic conditions present there. 

2. Linen symbolises craftsmanship and heritage of Irish origins and is celebrated for durability and quality.

3. Linen fabrics were used as burial shrouds and currency, reflecting cultural importance in ancient Egypt.

Advantages Of Handmade Linen & Machine Made Linen

Handmade Fabric

Handmade fabric is mostly in high demand due to its limited stock and the durable linen material. Despite the higher cost and requirements of a special case, customers love it. 

The following are some of the benefits of using handmade linen fabrics:-

• As each fabric is crafted by hand, uniqueness and artisanal linen craftsmanship are evident in the results.

• The production process of handmade linen involves hardly any chemicals and industrial waste creation. This sustainable linen fabric is good for the environment.  

• Handmade fabrics are more durable and stronger than machine-made linen fabrics. This process can produce high-quality linen fabric.

Machine-made linen

Machine-made fabrics have also gained popularity in the market for various reasons. Despite the higher chemical treatment and unsustainability of the fabric. Here are some reasons why they are available to customers:-

• As machine-made linen is a mass-production industry, the prices of machines are much lower than those of hand-made linen fabrics. Its accessibility and affordability attract customers. 

• Customers are assured about the uniformity and consistent quality of the fabrics they are purchasing from a store selling machine-made linen.

• High availability and faster production are also why this fabric is popular.

How To Take Care?

Machine made linen

1. Dampen your linen in cold or lukewarm water to protect its size and prevent any effects.

2. The fabric stays in good condition when gentle detergent is used. Permanent bleaching chemicals should be completely avoided.

3.  The drying process should include flat or hanging positions while keeping the linen free from exposure to sunlight, which causes fading.

4. Low heat adjustments on the iron with a little dampness secure a smooth fabric appearance.

Handmade Linen

1. Gentle washing at cold water temperatures will help stop damage to the fibres.

2. Using a soft detergent instead of bleach is better because the chemicals break down the fabric.

3. Lay each piece flat to dry to maintain its shape and prevent stretching.

4. The correct way of ironing linen is when it remains slightly damp to achieve a smooth feel.

Which One Should You Choose? 

The selection between handmade linen and machine-made linen depends primarily on four key aspects: the extent of craftsmanship execution, environmental sustainability practices, item prices and product functionality. Different applications demand handmade linen or machine-made linen owing to their unique benefits.

Artisanal craftsmen value handmade linen because it showcases skilled craftsmanship that creates special qualities in every product. The process artisans execute allows detailed work so fabrics demonstrate distinctive textures and subtle differences that make them attractive and unique. Handmade linen is an eco-friendly fabric due to its manufacturing techniques that use less energy, produce less waste and keep industry involvement at a minimum. The limited product formation of handmade linen makes it the desired material for exclusive fashion items, custom-made interior design pieces and high-end luxury products.

Machine-made linen is an industrial product generated through automated systems because these systems create consistent outcomes at high production speeds and reduced expenses. 

Modern manufacturing equipment produces linen products at higher speeds, which makes machine-made items more accessible for commercial use. The artificial linen keeps the key benefits of natural linen, including strength and ventilation capacity, although it achieves a regular surface texture and consistent appearance. 

The selection between handmade or machine-made linen depends on one's budget, functional needs and personal aesthetics. The handmade linen category stands out for sustainability and uniqueness but profits from machine-made linen because of its practical usage and budget-friendly nature. The selection between handmade and machine-made linen depends entirely on what the consumer needs from their linen product.

Conclusion

The choice between handmade and machine-made linen depends on its intended use and desired characteristics. Handmade linen is ideal for those seeking unique, artisanal products with an eco-friendly footprint, while machine-made linen is better suited for mass production and everyday applications where consistency and affordability are key.