Spun Linen to Fabric

What an arduous process to get the flax straw into linen thread. Now it's just a quick step to get fabric?  No not quite!!

Weaving is done on a frame known as a loom. By the end of the 17 Century wider and heavier looms were being constructed for linen. On these looms linen cloth up to a yard wide and of various thicknesses could be woven - cambrics, lawns and Hollands. 

After 1830 weavers found mill spun yarn was more reliable than hand spun. Then thread was machine spun as well. 

Here are some examples of linen thread that would have been available at that time.

Linen is one of the strongest and most durable fibres. Traditionally linen thread was used in stitching all Leather goods and upholstery. Linen cloth provided backing material for books, charts and maps. Starched linen collars presented a smart appearance. Linen sails and fishing nets did not rot and dried quickly. 

When he linen cloth was taken from the loom it was still the original brown colour of the yarn. In the streets these brown webs were sold to diapers. In 1764.  Parliament supported the Linen Boards decision to appoint seal masters. To inspect the cloth and stamp it with a seal of quality before sale.  Here is an example of a brown seal on linen followed by a photo of a variety of stamps.