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70-398: With its 80,000 inhabitants (2024) Kortrijk is the capital and largest city of the judicial and administrative arrondissement of Kortrijk . The wider municipality comprises the city of Courtrai proper and the villages of Aalbeke , Bellegem , Bissegem , Heule , Kooigem , Marke , and Rollegem . Courtrai is also part of the cross-border Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai metropolitan area. The city

140-479: A linothorax . Additionally, linen was commonly used to make riggings, sail-cloths, nets, ropes, and canvases because the tensility of the cloth would increase by 20% when wet. Because of its strength when wet, Irish linen is a very popular wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands. In 1923, the German city Bielefeld issued banknotes printed on linen. United States currency paper

210-525: A "non stick" surface to hold the dough. Then ridges are formed in the couche to keep the dough from spreading. In the past, linen was also used for books (the only surviving example of which is the Liber Linteus ). Due to its strength, in the Middle Ages linen was used for shields , gambesons , and bowstrings ; in classical antiquity it was used to make a type of body armour, referred to as

280-494: A better material for people with allergies or chemical sensitivities. It takes significantly longer to harvest than a material like cotton although both are natural fibers. It is also more difficult to weave than cotton. Linen textiles appear to be some of the oldest in the world; their history goes back many thousands of years. Dyed flax fibers found in a cave in Southeastern Europe (present-day Georgia ) suggest

350-429: A burial at Çatalhöyük , a large settlement dating to around 7,000 BC. To the southeast, in ancient Mesopotamia , flax was domesticated and linen was produced. It was used mainly by the wealthier class of the society, including priests. The Sumerian poem of the courtship of Inanna mentions flax and linen. In ancient Egypt , linen was used for mummification and for burial shrouds. It was also worn as clothing on

420-469: A daily basis; white linen was worn because of the extreme heat. For example, the Tarkhan dress , considered to be among the oldest woven garments in the world and dated to between 3482 and 3102 BC, is made of linen. Plutarch wrote that the priests of Isis also wore linen because of its purity. Linen was sometimes used as a form of currency in ancient Egypt. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen as

490-409: A great deal of attention. In addition, flax thread is not elastic, and therefore it is difficult to weave without breaking threads. Thus linen is considerably more expensive to manufacture than cotton. The collective term " linens " is still often used generically to describe a class of woven or knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles traditionally made of flax-based linen but today made from

560-460: A mingled stuff, wool and linen together" and Leviticus 19:19 , "...neither shall there come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together." There is no explanation for this in the Torah itself and it is categorized as a type of law known as chukim , a statute beyond man's ability to comprehend. First-century Romano-Jewish historian Josephus suggested that the reason for the prohibition

630-600: A practical as well as allegorical purpose, perhaps here preventing a priestly garment that would cause discomfort (or excessive sweat) in a hot climate. Linen is also mentioned in the Bible in Proverbs 31, a passage describing a noble wife. Proverbs 31:22 says, "She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple." Fine white linen is also worn by angels in the New Testament ( Revelation 15:6 ). In

700-531: A symbol of light and purity, and as a display of wealth. Some of these fabrics, woven from hand-spun yarns, were very fine for their day, but are coarse compared with modern linen. When the tomb of the Pharaoh Ramses II , who died in 1213 BC, was discovered in 1881, the linen wrappings were in a state of perfect preservation after more than 3000 years. In the Ulster Museum , Belfast there is

770-410: A variety of fibers. The term "linens" refers to lightweight undergarments such as shirts, chemises , waist-shirts, lingerie (a cognate with linen ), and detachable shirt collars and cuffs, all of which were historically made almost exclusively out of linen. The inner layer of fine composite cloth garments (as for example dress jackets) was traditionally made of linen, hence the word lining . Over

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840-410: A yarn having a size of 1 lea will give 300 yards per pound. The fine yarns used in handkerchiefs, etc. might be 40 lea, and give 40x300 = 12,000 yards per pound. This is a specific length therefore an indirect measurement of the fineness of the linen, i.e., the number of length units per unit mass. The symbol is NeL. The metric unit, Nm, is more commonly used in continental Europe. This

910-494: Is also a campus of Ghent University . Even though Courtrai is a Dutch-speaking town, it borders Wallonia , and is only 9 km (5.6 mi) away from the border with France. This has created an urban area that extends across linguistic and national borders. The mayors of Lille , Courtrai and Tournai met in Courtrai on 28 January 2008 to sign a document creating the first European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation within

980-402: Is because the cellulose fibers in linen yarn are slightly longer and wrapped tighter than those found in cotton yarn. This gives it great durability and allows linen products to be long-lasting. Currently researchers are working on a cotton/flax blend to create new yarns which will improve the feel of denim during hot and humid weather. Conversely, some brands such as 100% Capri specially treat

1050-576: Is itself perhaps the most famous linen producing center throughout history; during the Victorian era the majority of the world's linen was produced in the city, which gained it the name Linenopolis . Although the linen industry was already established in Ulster, Louis Crommelin found scope for improvement in weaving, and his efforts were so successful that he was appointed by the Government to develop

1120-431: Is made from 25% linen and 75% cotton. Linen is a bast fiber . Flax fibers vary in length from about 25 to 150 mm (1 to 6 in ) and average 12–16 micrometers in diameter. There are two varieties: shorter tow fibers used for coarser fabrics and longer line fibers used for finer fabrics. Flax fibers can usually be identified by their “nodes” which add to the flexibility and texture of the fabric. The cross-section of

1190-434: Is much easier to iron when damp. Linen wrinkles very easily, and thus some more formal garments require ironing often, in order to maintain perfect smoothness. Nevertheless, the tendency to wrinkle is often considered part of linen's particular "charm", and many modern linen garments are designed to be air-dried on a good clothes hanger and worn without the necessity of ironing. A characteristic often associated with linen yarn

1260-515: Is of West Germanic origin and cognate to the Latin name for the flax plant, linum , and the earlier Greek λινόν ( linón ). This word history has given rise to a number of other terms in English, most notably line , from the use of a linen (flax) thread to determine a straight line. It is also etymologically related to a number of other terms, including lining , because linen

1330-528: Is on the river Leie , 42 km (26 mi) southwest of Ghent and 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Lille . Mouscron in Wallonia is just south of Courtrai. Courtrai originated from a Gallo-Roman town, Cortoriacum , at a crossroads near the Leie river and two Roman roads. In the Middle Ages , Courtrai grew significantly thanks to the flax and wool industry with France and England and became one of

1400-700: Is one of the eight administrative arrondissements in the Province of West Flanders , Belgium . It is both an administrative and a judicial arrondissement . However, the Judicial Arrondissement of Kortrijk also comprises most municipalities in the Arrondissement of Roeselare (except Staden , Moorslede and Lichtervelde ), as well as the southernmost municipalities of the Arrondissement of Tielt : Meulebeke , Dentergem , Oostrozebeke en Wielsbeke . The Arrondissement of Kortrijk

1470-404: Is preferred to cotton for its strength, durability and archival integrity. Linen is also used extensively by artisan bakers. Known as a couche, the flax cloth is used to hold the dough into shape while in the final rise, just before baking. The couche is heavily dusted with flour which is rubbed into the pores of the fabric. Then the shaped dough is placed on the couche. The floured couche makes

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1540-468: Is the number of 1,000 m lengths per kilogram. In China, the English Cotton system unit, NeC, is common. This is the number of 840 yard lengths in a pound. Linen is laborious to manufacture. The quality of the finished linen product is often dependent upon growing conditions and harvesting techniques. To generate the longest possible fibers, flax is either hand-harvested by pulling up

1610-440: Is the presence of slubs , or small, soft, irregular lumps, which occur randomly along its length. In the past, slubs were traditionally considered to be defects, and were associated with low-quality linen. However, in the case of many present-day linen fabrics, particularly in the decorative furnishing industry, slubs are considered as part of the aesthetic appeal of an expensive natural product. In addition, slubs do not compromise

1680-403: Is usually an expensive textile produced in relatively small quantities. It has a long staple (individual fiber length) relative to cotton and other natural fibers . Linen fabric has been used for table coverings, bed coverings and clothing for centuries. The significant cost of linen derives not only from the difficulty of working with the thread but also because the flax plant itself requires

1750-798: The Battle of the Golden Spurs (Dutch: Guldensporenslag ), between the Flemish people , mostly commoners and farmers, and Philip the Fair 's knights took place near Courtrai on 11 July, resulting in a victory for Flanders; the date is commemorated as a national holiday by the Flemish community . Following a new uprising by the Flemish in 1323, this time against their own Count Louis I , the French invaded again. These Flemish acquisitions were consolidated by

1820-521: The Book of Joshua , Rahab , a prostitute in Jericho , hides two Israelite spies under bundles of flax. Many products can be made with linen, such as clothing, bed sheets, aprons, bags, towels (swimming, bath, beach, body and wash towels), napkins, runners, and upholstery. It is used especially in sailcloth and lent cloth, sewing threads, handkerchiefs, table cloth, sheets, collars, cuffs etc.. Today, linen

1890-661: The Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, many of the Huguenots who fled France settled in the British Isles and elsewhere. They brought improved methods for linen production with them, contributing to the growth of the linen industry in Ireland in particular. Among them was Louis Crommelin , a leader who was appointed overseer of the royal linen manufacture of Ireland. He settled in the town of Lisburn near Belfast , which

1960-756: The French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, the textile industry, based on flax , and the general economy of the city prospered again. Courtrai was heavily bombed in the summer of 1917, but was liberated by the British Army the following year. During World War II the city was an important railway hub for the German army, and for this reason was the target of several Allied airstrikes. On 21 July 1944 (the Belgian National Day) around 300 Avro Lancasters dropped over 5,000 bombs on

2030-599: The Middle Ages , there was a thriving trade in German flax and linen. The trade spread throughout Germany by the 9th century and spread to Flanders and Brabant by the 11th century. The Lower Rhine was a center of linen making in the Middle Ages. Flax was cultivated and linen used for clothing in Ireland by the 11th century. Evidence suggests that flax may have been grown and sold in Southern England in

2100-419: The fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong and absorbent and dries faster than cotton . Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. Linen textiles can be made from flax plant fiber, yarn, as well as woven and knitted. Linen also has other distinctive characteristics, such as its tendency to wrinkle. It's also hypoallergenic which makes it

2170-437: The 12th and 13th centuries. Textiles, primarily linen and wool, were produced in decentralized home weaving mills. Linen continued to be valued for garments in the 16th century and beyond. Specimens of linen garments worn by historical figures have survived. For example, a linen cap worn by Emperor Charles V was carefully preserved after his death in 1558. There is a long history of the production of linen in Ireland. When

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2240-481: The American colonies, where it was brought over with the first settlers and became the most commonly used fabric and a valuable asset for colonial households. The homespun movement encouraged the use of flax to make home spun textiles. Through the 1830s, most farmers in the northern United States continued to grow flax for linen to be used for the family's clothing. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, linen

2310-677: The Burgundian heiress Mary of Burgundy in 1482, which ushered in renewed fighting with France. The 16th century was marked by the confrontations engendered by the Reformation and the uprising of the Netherlands against Spain. Louis XIV 's reign saw Courtrai occupied by the French five times in sixty years and its former fortifications razed. The Treaty of Utrecht assigned the area to the Austrian Habsburgs. After

2380-615: The EU. The purpose of this organisation is to facilitate the movement of people within this area of nearly 2 million people. The city is host to some sizable cultural events such as: Also, trade shows and events such as the international Design Fair Interieur , Busworld and the Eurodogshow take place in the Kortrijk Xpo event center. These fairs attract numerous visitors to the city. In July and August there are various boat tours on

2450-458: The French at the Battle of Cassel (1328) . Louis I's son Louis II lost the city to a Flemish uprising led by Philip van Artevelde in 1381, but the Flemish were later decisively defeated at the 1382 Battle of Roosebeke by Louis II with French support, resulting in a new wave of plundering and destruction. Most of the 15th century was prosperous under the Dukes of Burgundy , until the death of

2520-528: The Scheldt. At the same time, this project included a thorough urban renewal of the riversides in the city. Seven new bridges were to give a new architectural impulse to the river quarters as well as the construction of several new parks along the river. The following bridges were built during the period of 1997 and 2012: More recently (2018), the banks in front of the Broel Towers were lowered to allow

2590-632: The biggest and richest cities in Flanders . The city is often referred to as City of Groeninge or City of the Golden Spurs, referring to the Battle of Courtrai or the Battle of the Golden Spurs which took place on 11 July 1302 on the Fields of Groeninge in Courtrai. In 1820 the Treaty of Kortrijk was signed, laying out the still-current borders between France and Belgium. Throughout the 19th and 20th century,

2660-472: The canton of Roeselare to the new Arrondissement of Roeselare , the canton of Meulebeke to the new Arrondissement of Tielt and the cantons of Ingelmunster and Oostrozebeke to the new Arrondissement of Wakken . The arrondissements of Avelgem and Menen already ceased to exist in 1823 and were returned to the Arrondissement of Kortrijk. When the language border was determined in 1963, Mouscron and

2730-512: The city center. Many historical buildings on the central square, as well as the old railway station, were destroyed. Battles fought there in 1302, 1382, 1580, 1793, 1794, 1814, 1815, and 1918 have each been called Battle of Courtrai . After the 1977 fusion the city is made up of: The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, also consists of Kuurne, Wevelgem, Zwevegem and Harelbeke. Although these municipalities have strong morphologic ties with Courtrai, they aren't officially part of

2800-455: The city centre a direct connection with the river Scheldt . Within the City, the river briefly splits in two, to re-join about a mile further. From the 1970s on, the planning and later the execution of the so-called Leiewerken ( Leieworks ) started. These construction works comprised the deepening and widening of the river. This would enable ships with 4400 tons to navigate from France to

2870-653: The city is called Courtrai. Findings from an archeological dig in 1950 in which remains of three Roman funeral pyres were found suggest that the vicus was used as an encampment by the Romans during their invasion of Britain in AD 43 . Cortoriacum was a larger Gallo-Roman vicus of civitas Menapiorum at an important crossroads near the Lys river of the Roman roads linking Tongeren and Cassel and Tournai and Oudenburg . It

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2940-483: The city. Kortrijk has an oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ). Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. The city centre is one of the largest car-free areas in Belgium. The béguinage, as well as the belfry , have each been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites . Interesting highlights are: Museums in Courtrai include: Courtrai lies at

3010-430: The defensive structures around Kortrijk (Walle, Waterpoort, Menenpoort, Gentsepoort, Brugsepoort, Kasteelkaai); Most of the physical parts have been overbuilt or destroyed. In the 13th century, the battles between Fernando of Portugal, Count of Flanders and his first cousin, King Louis VIII of France , led to the destruction of the city. The Counts of Flanders had it rebuilt soon after. To promote industry and weaving in

3080-450: The entire plant or stalks are cut very close to the root. After harvesting, the plants are dried, and then the seeds are removed through a mechanized process called “rippling” ( threshing ) and winnowing . The fibers must then be loosened from the stalk. This is achieved through retting , a process which uses bacteria to decompose the pectin that binds the fibers together. Natural retting methods take place in tanks and pools, or directly in

3150-674: The entire region. There are 55 schools in Courtrai, on 72 different locations throughout the city, with an estimated 21,000 students. The city also provides higher education. The KULAK , a campus of the Catholic University of Leuven , is located in on the south edge of the city, in the Hoog Kortrijk quarter. Other institutes of higher education include the VIVES University of Applied Sciences and Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen (HOWEST) university colleges . There

3220-422: The fields. There are also chemical retting methods; these are faster, but are typically more harmful to the environment and to the fibers themselves. After retting, the stalks are ready for scutching , which takes place between August and December. Scutching removes the woody portion of the stalks by crushing them between two metal rollers, so that the parts of the stalk can be separated. The fibers are removed and

3290-670: The flax industry flourished and remains important within the Belgian textile industry today. Courtrai is the largest city in southern West Flanders, with several hospitals, colleges and a university . Courtrai was the first city in Belgium with a pedestrian shopping street, the Korte Steenstraat . The Latin name Cortoriacum means the settlement near the curb in the river. There is also mention of 'Cortoracum' in some literature. Its name later evolved to 'Cortrycke', 'Cortryck' and 'Kortrijk' (19th century). In French and in English,

3360-452: The historic centre of Courtrai or Park&Ride parking outside the town centre. Large parts of the historic centre are car free. The city is historically connected with the flax and the textile industry, and still today the textile industry remains important in the region. Major companies which have headquarters in Courtrai include Cisco and Barco . Courtrai serves as an educational centre in south West Flanders, attracting students from

3430-598: The industry over a much wider range than the small confines of Lisburn and its surroundings. The direct result of his good work was the establishment, under statute, of the Board of Trustees of the Linen Manufacturers of Ireland in the year 1711. Several grades were produced including coarse lockram . The Living Linen Project was set up in 1995 as an oral archive of the knowledge of the Irish linen industry, which

3500-433: The integrity of the fabric, and therefore they are not viewed as a defect. However, the very finest linen has very consistent diameter threads, with no slubs at all. Linen can degrade in a few weeks when buried in soil. Linen is more biodegradable than cotton, making it an eco friendly fiber. The standard measure of bulk linen yarn is the "lea", which is the number of yards in a pound of linen divided by 300. For example,

3570-452: The intersection of three highways: Kortrijk has an extensive web of public transport lines, operated by De Lijn , providing access to the city centre and the suburbs (city lines, Dutch : stadslijnen ) and to many towns and villages in the region around the city (regional lines, Dutch : streeklijnen ). The river Lys (Leie) is an important way of transporting goods through inland navigation . The Bossuit-Kortrijk Canal enables in

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3640-521: The linen fabric was able to retain durability for about 20 washes. There are many references to linen throughout the Bible , reflecting the textile's entrenched presence in human cultures. In Judaism , the only law concerning which fabrics may be interwoven together in clothing concerns the mixture of linen and wool , called shaatnez ; it is restricted in Deuteronomy 22:11 "Thou shalt not wear

3710-424: The linen fiber is made up of irregular polygonal shapes which contribute to the coarse texture of the fabric. Linen fabric feels cool to touch, a phenomenon which indicates its higher conductivity (the same principle that makes metals feel "cold"). It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint-free, and gets softer the more it is washed. However, constant creasing in the same place in sharp folds will tend to break

3780-645: The linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during laundering. Linen's poor elasticity means that it easily wrinkles. Mildew, perspiration, and bleach can damage the fabric, but because it is not made from animal fibers ( keratin ) it is impervious to clothes moths and carpet beetles . Linen is relatively easy to take care of, since it resists dirt and stains, has no lint or pilling tendency, and can be dry-cleaned, machine-washed, or steamed. It can withstand high temperatures, and has only moderate initial shrinkage . Linen should not be dried too much by tumble drying, and it

3850-521: The linen to look like denim. Linen fabric is one of the preferred traditional supports for oil painting . In the United States cotton is popularly used instead, as linen is many times more expensive there, restricting its use to professional painters. In Europe, however, linen is usually the only fabric support available in art shops; in the UK both are freely available with cotton being cheaper. Linen

3920-501: The mummy of ' Takabuti ' the daughter of a priest of Amun , who died 2,500 years ago. The linen on this mummy is also in a perfect state of preservation. The earliest written documentation of a linen industry comes from the Linear B tablets of Pylos , Greece , where linen is depicted as an ideogram and also written as "li-no" ( Greek : λίνον, linon ), and the female linen workers are cataloged as "li-ne-ya" (λίνεια, lineia ). By

3990-441: The other parts such as linseed , shives , and tow are set aside for other uses. Next the fibers are heckled : the short fibers are separated with heckling combs by 'combing' them away, to leave behind only the long, soft flax fibers. After the fibers have been separated and processed, they are typically spun into yarns and woven or knit into linen textiles. These textiles can then be bleached, dyed, printed on, or finished with

4060-518: The past 30 years the end use for linen has changed dramatically. Approximately 70% of linen production in the 1990s was for apparel textiles, whereas in the 1970s only about 5% was used for fashion fabrics. Linen uses range across bed and bath fabrics ( tablecloths , bath towels, dish towels, bed sheets); home and commercial furnishing items (wallpaper/wall coverings, upholstery, window treatments); apparel items (suits, dresses, skirts, shirts); and industrial products (luggage, canvases, sewing thread). It

4130-572: The public to enjoy the historic river banks along both sides of the River Lys (Leie). This area is now known as the Leieboorden (or Banks of the River Lys ), a place for pedestrians with bars and restaurants. Several small streams or Beken in and around Courtrai were of significant topological, historical and Geological value. Cars are required to give way to pedestrians and cyclists. In general, cars are led to large underground car parks in

4200-680: The river Leie . Local specialities include Kalletaart (apple cake with Calvados ), Peperbollen, biscuits, and chocolate little beguines . The town of Heule is the home of the Picobrouwerij Alvinne brewery, while Bellegem is the home of the Bockor brewery. Kortrijk has three official football clubs. Courtrai participates in town twinning to encourage good international relations. Arrondissement of Kortrijk The Arrondissement of Kortrijk ( Dutch : Arrondissement Kortrijk ; French : Arrondissement de Courtrai )

4270-410: The then municipalities of Luingne, Herseaux and Dottignies , as well as the neighbourhood of Risquons-Tout , which was located in the then municipality of Rekkem , were ceded to the newly formed Arrondissement of Mouscron . The Administrative Arrondissement of Kortrijk consists of the following municipalities : Linen Linen ( / ˈ l ɪ n ə n / ) is a textile made from

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4340-477: The town, Joan, Countess of Flanders exempted settlers in Courtrai from property tax . From that time, Kortrijk gained great importance as a center of linen production. In 1302, the population of Bruges started a successful uprising against the French, who had annexed Flanders a couple of years earlier. On 18 May the French population in that city was massacred, an event that could not go unpunished. The famous ensuing Battle of Courtrai in 1302, also known as

4410-562: The use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date back over 30,000 years. Linen was used in ancient civilizations including Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt , and linen is mentioned in the Bible . In the 18th century and beyond, the linen industry was important in the economies of several countries in Europe as well as the American colonies. Textiles in a linen weave texture, even when made of cotton, hemp , or other non-flax fibers, are also loosely referred to as "linen". The word linen

4480-512: Was at that time still available within a nucleus of people who formerly worked in the industry in Ulster . The linen industry was increasingly critical in the economies of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. In England and then in Germany, industrialization and machine production replaced manual work and production moved from the home to new factories. Linen was also an important product in

4550-468: Was created in 1800 as the fourth arrondissement in the Department of Lys ( Dutch : Departement Leie ). It originally comprised the cantons of Avelgem , Harelbeke , Ingelmunster , Kortrijk , Menen , Meulebeke , Moorsele , Oostrozebeke and Roeselare . In 1818, the canton of Avelgem was ceded to the new Arrondissement of Avelgem , the canton of Menen to the new Arrondissement of Menen ,

4620-679: Was first mentioned in a document from the 4th or 5th century called Notitia Dignitatum where the cortoriacenses (cavalry) troops were mentioned. In the 9th century, Baldwin II, Count of Flanders established fortifications against the Vikings . The town gained its city charter in 1190 from Philip, Count of Flanders . The population growth required new defensive walls , part of which can still be seen today (the Broeltorens , Armory, Kortrijk ). Several local places still refer to physical parts of

4690-954: Was often used to create an inner layer for clothing, and lingerie , from French, which originally denoted underwear made of linen. People in various parts of the world began weaving linen at least several thousand years ago. It was also recovered from Qumran Cave 1 near the Dead Sea. The discovery of dyed flax fibers in a cave in Southern Caucasus , West Asia (modern day country, Georgia ) dated to 36,000 years ago suggests that ancient people used wild flax fibers to create linen-like fabrics from an early date. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns, and various types of fabrics, including linen samples, dating to about 8,000 BC have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Woven flax textile fragments have been "found between infant and child" in

4760-490: Was once the preferred yarn for hand-sewing the uppers of moccasin -style shoes ( loafers ), but has been replaced by synthetics. A linen handkerchief , pressed and folded to display the corners, was a standard decoration of a well-dressed man's suit during most of the first part of the 20th century. Nowadays, linen is one of the most preferred materials for bed sheets due to its durability and hypoallergenic properties. Linen can be up to three times stronger than cotton. This

4830-491: Was to keep the laity from wearing the official garb of the priests, while medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher Maimonides thought that the reason was that heathen priests wore such mixed garments. Others explain that it is because God often forbids mixtures of disparate kinds, not designed by God to be compatible in a certain way, with mixing animal and vegetable fibers being similar to having two different types of plowing animals yoked together; also, such commands serve both

4900-898: Was very significant to Russia and its economy. At one time it was the country's greatest export item and Russia produced about 80% of the world's fiber flax crop. In December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2009 to be the International Year of Natural Fibres in order to raise people's awareness of linen and other natural fibers . One study suggests that the functional properties of linen fabric can be improved by incorporating chitosan-citric acid and phytic acid thiourea. The effects of this process include improved levels of antibacterial activity, increased wrinkle resistance, flame retardancy, UV protection, and antioxidant properties. Additionally,

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