Flax/Linen

Flax or Linen is considered by many to be the oldest fibre used in the Western world, with fabrics having been found dating back to 10,000BC. It is a fibre whose production was centred round Europe since about 500AD, Irish linen being one of the earliest productions. Therefore the machinery, most suitable for processing flax, was developed in Europe. Today the Soviet Union produces most of the flax for fibre. Other producers include Belgium, Ireland and other nations of Eastern Europe.