Linen has been produced from the stalk of the flax plant for thousands of years and is believed to be one of the oldest textiles. It yeilds long bast fibres ranging from 25 to 900 mm.

The fibre is cellulose-rich (70-75%) and strong, second only to silk among the natural fibres. The fibre ranges from course to fine, depending on the type, source and method of conversion from plant to fibre. Very fine Linen will have long straight fibres with a consistent diameter. High-quality linen is prized for its strength, soft hand and high lustre.