LUXURY LIVING @ LINEN HOME

How To Prevent Fabrics From Shrinkage

2009-09-28T20:24:00.001+01:00

We have received a good question from MARILYN HAYWARD today, which, we believe, is worth of posting here together with our answer:

Question:

I am considering buying a super-king duvet cover and pillowcases from
you as a gift for my daughter. She does not line dry her washing. Would the
linen shrink back too much if completely tumble dried?

Answer:

I personally tumble dry my pure linen bedding sheets until they are 100% dry. I have not noticed any significant shrinkage. Some years ago I went to
the dry cleaners’ seminar which was held by the producer of fabric dyes. All attendants had the same question – how to dye fabrics without any shrinkage? The manufacturer
taught us then, that any fabric shrinks when, after being washed in hot water, it gets
rinsed with the cold water – by changing temperatures so dramatically the fabric gets a temperature shock and shrinks. Therefore, the trick for keeping your linens in their original size is not to wash them in the temperature higher than 30-40C. If, for some reasons, you have to wash them in a hot water (i.e. to get rid of some stains), then let
them cool down before rinsing (or rinse with the use of hot water). The same applies to wools as well.

Win a Set of Eight Damask Linen Napkins VERNISSAGE

2009-09-15T20:31:00.002+01:00

Finest pure linen damask napkins in milky white colour with ornamented border in natural shades, perfect for special occasions. Size 56x56cm. Worth £79.

These super-quality linen napkins have been weaved at one of the oldest Russian factories, which was supplying table linens to the Russian Royal Court in the 19c.

Enter our Prize Draw by submitting your contact details before the 20th of October 2009.

Make sure you enter correct contact details.

A great chance to enhance your dining table with these high quality napkins out of range of pure linen home accessories.

Or they could be a great Christmas gift for your mum!

To increase your chance of winning please feel free to submit your details for a few times - once every new day.
Invite your friends and family to challenge their luck too!

Damask or jacquard is a figured linen fabric in which warp-satin and weft-sateen create a pattern. Such patterns are visible even in an all white cloth, woven from all white yarns. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles. Across large surfaces, damask fabrics are most extraordinary as reflect light and continually reveal new designs to your eye in a subtle and appealing way.

You can also buy these napkins from Alenska website for £9.90 each, as well as matching Vernissage tablecloths and table runners:

Vernissage Tablecloth 130x130cm £ 69.00

Vernissage Tablecloth 140x170cm £ 78.00

Vernissage Tablecloth 170x170cm £ 85.00

Vernissage Table Runner 50x175cm £ 44.00

A Set of Two Pure Linen Tea Towels 44x70cm

2009-08-31T07:08:00.000+01:00

A set of 2 jacquard pure linen tea towels, packed together and nicely tied with the ribbon. Natural colour, one is decorated with red geometric pattern, and another - with blue. 44x70cm.

Pure linen tea towels are not just a touch of luxury for your kitchen - they are much more absorbent than cotton and therefore ideal for drying your chrystal glasses. If your glasses and vases got some stains which are difficult to remove even in a dishwasher, then you definitely need our great linen tea towels.

They are also purchased a lot as birthday gifts or Christmas gifts for mums and wives - what a lovely way to please a woman!

These towels were woven at one of the oldest factories in Russia with love and passion to linen. Linen is a part of national heritage in Russia.

HOW TO BUY

Buy from our website. Retail price is £19.99. Subscribe to our newsletter or price alert to be informed about our special promotions and sales.

www.alenska.com

Luxury Bedding Tina

2009-08-28T21:25:00.006+01:00

Elegant and simple bed linen decorated with double-colour embroidered line - blue and light blue. Pure 160g/m2 linen. For those who like it minimal.

HOW TO BUY TINA BEDDING

You can buy this bed linen as a set matching together duvet covers with oxford pillowcases and flat sheets. Available in single, double, king and superking size (see Size Chart).

HOW TO LOOK AFTER PURE LINEN

Wash in low temperatures, such as 30-40C, no strong detergents. No need to iron. Hang naturally. When dump put it into tumble dryer with a couple of tennis balls (the balls will hit the linen and soften it).

PRICE LIST

Single Size Duvet Cover £ 90.00
Double Size Duvet Cover £ 162.00
King Size Duvet Cover £ 174.00
Superking Size Duvet Cover £ 186.00
Oxford Pillowcase 50x75cm £ 35.00
Single White Flat Sheet £ 66.00
Double White Flat Sheet £ 84.00
King/Superking White Sheet £ 105.00

This pure linen bedding set might become a great gift idea for wedding!

How To Wear Scarves As Tops

2009-08-05T21:19:00.003+01:00

Are you ready to buy now?

Get back and choose a great scarf for yourself!

Women's silk scarves, pashminas, and wool shawls

2009-08-05T18:05:00.003+01:00

Pavlovsky Posad is the most famous Russian enterprise producing wool shawls, pashminas and silk scarves. Their products are widely exported to Europe, America and Middle East.

Floral Collection Pink Blossom

2009-08-05T07:05:00.008+01:00

Nice and warm summer collection with pink floral pattern - an ideal theme for gifts for Her. An exclusive Alenska design.

Waffle Bathroom Linens

Extra quality waffle towels with linen trim.

These highly absorbent soft 100% cotton waffle towels will add a continental touch to your bathroom.

Buy from Alenska.com

Hand towel 50x90cm for £12.99

Bath towel 70x150cm for £16.99

Bath mit for £5.99

Floral Linen Apron

Pure linen apron with pink printed blossom. Pocket and straps are made of plain linen.
Approximately 70x90cm. Buy from Alenska.com for £19.99

Linen Cushion Blue Blossom

Pure linen cushion covers with small border and envelope lock. 40x40cm, pink floral pattern on natural linen.

The cushion covers may be sold without the inner pads for £19.99 from Alenska.com - a great way to refresh your old cushions.

Linen Window Curtains

Pure linen floral curtains with adjustable length. Unlined. Width of each panel is 150cm. Made of 180g/m2 pure linen. Suitable for bedroom, kitchen, hall. Height is adjustable. Iron-on hemming strip included; makes it easy to shorten the curtain to desired length without sewing. Gathering tape at the top. Dry clean recommended.

Buy from Alenska:

A pair up to 180cm for £99

A pair up to 240cm for £129

A pair up to 300cm for £159

Scarves of Pavolvsky Posad – Saga Two

2009-08-04T21:29:00.006+01:00

Pavlovsky Posad is the most famous Russian manufacturer of scarves wraps and shawls. Tourists of Russia often return with their scarves and shawls as souvenirs together with other notable items such as Matrioshkas that are a symbol of Russian complexity and enigma.

The idea of establishing an in-house design studio at Pavlovsky Posad came alive in the 1850s. Up until the 1920s all shawls and scarfs were printed manually due to their large size, multicolour and complex patterns. Patterns were carved on large wooden boards, one for each colour. Typically it required at least three boards to complete one pattern, but sometimes there were up to 16 of them.

All designs were split into 4 to 24 fragments. The most complex designs required up to 400 applications to create one shawl wrap.

The factory also had their own colourists and compositions of dyes that were kept highly secret from competitors. The recipes remained the property of the colourists that created them.

After printing, all shawls were placed into special humid cellars to mature and fix the dyes. They were then steamed and sent to home-based workers to trim the edges. Every single wool shawl, one by one, was treated by at least 18 workers to complete the full cycle.

In the second half of 19c the annual turnover of the enterprise reached 1million roubles, which was absolutely huge for the time. The company was employing 700 workers full time and another 1000 locals were engaged on a part-time basis.

After the revolution of 1917 the enterprise was nationalised and remained as an estate property till 1990s.

The Soviet era was also reflected in the patterns of shawls and incorporated some agricultural and industrial motifs although the factory still concentrated mostly on folk crafts.

In the 1980s the manual printing had been stopped completely due to the complexity of the manual production. This has now been replaced by the most contemporary and sophisticated printing machines of Europe.

Currently the enterprise produces shawls and scarves wraps in 23 main colours. In parallel with restoring old traditional patterns, the artists create new modern designs, based on harmonic composition of close tones, predominantly in beige, ochre, brown and green colours.

A vegetative ornament has now overtaken the more traditional floral pattern. Nowadays the factory produces a range of over 200 different designs of wool shawls and silk scarves, all made of natural fibres.

Pavlovsky Posad wool shawls and pashmina scarves are exported to Europe, America and Middle East. Oriental designs are particularly popular in the Middle East. Muslim women like wearing them as a head scarf.

Apart from heads these lovely accessories can be worn as highly detailed neck scarf. Some of them are even good to be worn as tops. Natural silks used for scarfs production are also noted for allowing the body to breath in hot climates and are therefore great for use on holiday.

Alenska is now on eBay!

2009-08-01T20:49:00.005+01:00

Alenska has set up a new shop on eBay!

See what is listed so far - some items are offered with a good bargain pricing!

Floral Collection Blue Blossom

2009-07-27T18:43:00.007+01:00

This Collection offers a great range of home accessories combining printed pure linen floral fabric and some other plain fabrics. All these beautiful products were made in Russia exclusively for Alenska.

Linen Cushion Blue Blossom

Pure linen cushion covers with small border and envelope lock. 40x40cm, blue floral pattern.

The cushion covers may be sold without the inner pads for £19.99 from Alenska.com

Linen Window Curtains

Buy from Alenska:

A pair up to 180cm for £99

A pair up to 240cm for £129

A pair up to 300cm for £159

Cooking Kitchen Apron

Pure linen apron with blue printed blossom. Pocket and straps are made of plain linen.
Approximately 70x90cm. Buy from Alenska.com for £19.99

Waffle Bathroom Linens

High quality waffle towels with linen trim.

These highly absorbent soft 100% cotton waffle towels will add a continental touch to your bathroom.

Buy from Alenska.com

Hand towel 50x90cm for £12.99

Bath towel 70x150cm for £16.99

Bath mit for £5.99

You can combine some of the above items out of our Blue Blossom collection and send them as birthday or Christmas gifts.

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2009-07-20T14:05:00.003+01:00

Win Our Prize

2009-06-02T06:28:00.002+01:00

Win our gift sets - bathroom towels for HER & for HIM

Made of high quality waffle cotton and finished with linen trim (pink blossom for HER and blue blossom for HIM) worth £70. Each set includes hand towel 50x90cm, bath towel 70x150cm and bath mit.

THE WINNER RECEIVES BOTH SETS!

Enter our Prize Draw by submitting your contact details before the 1st of September 2009.

A fantastic opportunity to decorate your pressious bathroom with these high quality waffle towels from our choice of desirable linen home accessories.

To increase your chance of winning please feel free to submit your details for a few times - once every new day.

Do not forget to invite your friends to challenge their luck too...

Enter our Prize Draw.

Congratulations to Miranda Whittingham from Portchester, the winner of our July Prize Draw - a pair of Dogs Cushions.

Scarves of Pavolvsky Posad – Saga One

2009-05-11T21:18:00.000+01:00

There is a long history of textiles and textile industry in Russia. Amongst the most famous enterprises is the two hundred year old, Pavlovsky Posad, the manufacturer of silk and wool scarves, shawls and pashminas.

The fashionable wearing of a silk and wool shawl came to Russia from the Middle East at the beginning of 19c. Shawls became a smart supplement to a female costume as well as a part of interior décor. The shawls and scarves were among family treasures handed down from generation to generation.

They first attracted the attention of the Russian upper classes as they were light, warm and glamorous. In addition, Napoleon brought a wool shawl to his beloved Josephine as a gift, and all ladies belonging to the Russian court immediately started copying her as an etalon of Parisian fashion.

By the middle of 19c woven shawls were replaced by printed patterns which made them more affordable for common people. A number of shawl factories opened in and around Moscow, and one of them was the famous Pavlovsky Posad factory which is still manufacturing to the same high quality today.

Pavlovsky Posad is named after the town where it is situated, was established in 1795 and had become the leading exponent in the industry by the end of 19c. Today, it is the only enterprise of its kind in Russia - it has the same respect as Russian Matrioshka and is a Russian national symbol.

Raw materials were distributed amongst village weavers who worked from home using their own looms and then plain wool or silk scarves were manually printed at the factory. The success of the Pavlovsky Posad has brought significant wealth to the local population. The factory has developed its own patented style and during the past 150 years has won all sorts of national and international awards.

The original style of the Pavlovsky Posad wool shawl was developed in ochre-red shades and had distinguishable floral or Oriental paisley pattern. The accents were traditionally made on corners where artists would place large and more complex ornaments. Following religious trends lots of scarfs would have a cruciform in the middle. They were traditionally square, with the fringe around perimeter.

In the 1860s, Pavlovsky Posad women’s scarves and pashminas were regularly supplied to the Grand Duchess of Russia. They also became widely available across the huge territory of the Russian Empire.

Women wore Pavlovsky Posad scarves wraps as a necessary detail of their costume – as a head scarf or neck scarf or as a shawl wrap. Very often scarves and pashminas were used as a fabric to create a skirt or a jacket. They were also often used as costume detail for a Russian priest.

Table Linens and Modern Etiquette

2009-04-04T09:59:00.000+01:00

Sometimes we all need some new good ideas for a party and to prepare the table. Each occasion has its own requirements of table linens and consideration of this is a good place to start when coming up with ideas. Let’s go through some basics together to create the right atmosphere and setting for your party table with the right tablecloth, napkins, placemats and table runners

Nowadays, the Internet offers a wide range of table coverings from paper and polyester tablecloths, to finishing the table with high quality cotton or linen tablecloths.

Most of us would prefer to use affordable polyester covers which, apart from their fabulous price, are very easy to look after – stains can be removed easily by a standard washing cycle. It is reasonable to say therefore that most households have this type of tablecloths. However, there is one major drawback – polyester does not last very long.

There is another low budget solution, a paper version. While being something that you cannot survive without when arranging a picnic or serving your dinner outdoors, it should hardly ever be considered as an option for the home (except for children’s parties). The reason for this is that the use of a paper tablecloth, even if it is absolutely stunning one and purchased from Harrods is simply considered as a bad taste for the table and cannot replace the proper tablecloth.

Another type is polycotton table linens, including napkins. However, our point would be to very strictly only consider these for industrial uses only. You can normally judge how cheap or sophisticated a restaurant is by the appearance of their tables. Cheap ones have no covers on their tables. The maximum they offer is some placemats for each guest individually. However, restaurants with style can be recognised immediately through the window where you can see tables covered traditionally in white tablecloths.

Such places are normally more expensive but they charge you more for the overall pleasure you experience. You feel good in restaurants with this attention to detail and easily forget about the cost versus the feeling they give. The picture we are painting is what is good for a good restaurant is not good though for your friends and family. Treat your loved ones to the best they would experience in a Michelin stars restaurant.

If you are searching for the best experience then try the luxury of a crisp Out of practicality such a tablecloth is normally white, but recent trendy establishments may offer some coloured choices - sometimes even black! Of course such linens require a bit extra care, but you’d want to look after them anyway...

Pure linen fabric is extremely long-lasting. Linen is more wearable then cotton and there is no problem when dealing with stains from wine, dressings and greasy food. Due to its sheen and smooth surface, linen releases stains easily.

A simple rule for you to observe from now on is that as soon as the dinner is finished and you believe your tablecloth has been damaged with stains, you should remove all hard food leftovers from its surface and soak it in warm water immediately. You can also add a drop of Fairy which fights with grease on your linens as well as on your plates. Next morning your treasured linen tablecloth is ready to be washed as usual. And do not forget to iron it while damp. A hint of starch will be good as well. If you have purchased a tablecloth in bright colours you should add a tablespoon of white vinegar into the rinsing cycle. This will help dyes of the tablecloth return to normal natural contrast.

Apart from linen napkins, placemats, table runners and all other sorts of table linens we also recommend you should try the whole experience of luxury bedding including < href="”"> bedspreads and cushions.
Once you have tied the luxury of linen home accessories you are not able to survive without them – so beware!

How to Choose the Right Size of Your Tablecloth

2009-03-24T10:06:00.000Z

Buying table linens for your home seems to be an easy task but it might become quite a confusing undertaking if not planned properly. Apart from the style and quality of a fabric you also should consider the right size of tablecloth for your dining table, as well as some matching napkins, placemats and table runners.

There are some rules which exist for any type of tablecloth and it does not matter if they are cheap or expensive. When buying a new tablecloth make sure it is at least half a metre longer and wider than your table. Then it will hang over your table with free folds on each side.

Ideally, when you are buying your dining table and matching chairs, the height of the chairs should be 30cm lower than the table surface. If this is the case, then you provide your diners with the most comfortable dining experience as the table is not too high, nor too low for keeping your back straight and relaxed at the same time. Using this guide, your luxurious linen tablecloth should ideally be same level with the seats.

Of course there can be another scenario when for some special occasion you might need your table linens to overhang the table down to the ground. This is normally the case for a formal reception and not something you would normally undertake at home. Therefore for your home you should feel comfortable with any size of the tablecloth with at least half a metre of extra length and up to additional two heights of your dining table.

The use of a luxury tablecloth is very beneficial when your furniture has lost its glamorous look and got a little older. The solution of a new tablecloth will change the situation immediately and with the minimum of effort.

You will also achieve superb results when you take the time to match your tablecloth with your window curtains. In this way, your dining room will look extremely chic and fresh.

Alternatively, if your home is set in a modern manner and you do not wish to hide your exceptionally stylish furniture under a classic tablecloth, you can always add some glamour to your table with a table runner and some matching linen napkins and placemats. Such arrangement will create an impression of luxury without being too over bearing.

There is a wide variety of quality table linens to choose from including plain linens, embroidered tablecloths and damask tablecloths.

When making your choice of table linens you should remember that dining in style is one of those little pleasures which can bring some deserved elegance and luxury into your life. So easily achievable and so rewarding to experience! Good luck and have fun selecting your next table…

Linen Addiction from Alenska

2009-02-19T21:05:00.001Z

Alenska is the UK based retail specialist in linen home accessories.

Having recognized that the UK market does not supply the range of exotic linen products found in Russia and Eastern Europe, Alenska has introduced 1st class linen home accessories to the British market via its web site www.alenska.com.

Russia is a well-known supplier of linens in Europe and America. Historically Russians have grown linen flax as the climate is very favorable and no chemicals are required.

Typically our linen is planted on Russian fields that are resting after a harvest of potato or other cultures. When grown, each part of the plant is used for different products – the finest parts are used for Alenska linen fabrics and other parts are manufactured elsewhere for ropes and insulation.

As all our linen products are made with no chemical processing but only mechanically, they are one of the most ecologically friendly fabrics on Earth. It is also highly absorbent and very wearable. Our linen is an ideal fabric for children’s clothes as well as for people who suffer from a range of allergies. It is perfect for bedding and for tablecloths. Linen napkins will be in use forever and tea towels are fantastic for polishing your crystal glass!

Linen is a fabric of strategic importance. No cases of skin diseases were registered in the Russian Royal army because the soldiers were all dressed in linen. Today, linen bedding may be crucial for treating allergies.

The product range of the new website by Alenska has been expanded from luxury bedding and table linens into bath towels, bedspreads, cushions and linen curtains. A range of curtains is with adjustable lengths and iron-on hemming strips that make it easy to shorten curtains at home without sewing.

Now Alenska offers not only high quality duvet covers, pillowcases and linen bedding sheets, but also more affordable linen accessories which can make a good gift ideas for Mother’s day, weddings, birthdays or other special occasions.

Items such as kitchen aprons and linen tea towels will nicely fit into the kitchen of any household all over the world.

All products are exclusively produced and designed for Alenska and we do not sell our products under any other brand. The new site can be viewed at www.alenska.com and there is currently free shipment on all orders over £200. Alenska also runs prize draws and promotions for its members.

Alenska has the ambition of introducing British customers to perfect and ecologically linen products that are so popular in Europe and The States… Choose Alenska to be your supplier of choice for linen and quality home accessories – you’ll become addicted too!

Luxury Bed Linen From Russia

2008-08-05T20:53:00.000+01:00

Simple… In Russia, we never had any cotton and through centuries linen became a national treasure.

Linen is the most ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people have been growing flax which is then made into fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication of flax occurred in India and China well before cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago.

But despite its venerable age flax remains to be as young as ever and is always in trend.

Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.

In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and pure linen fabric among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.

Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality damask linen tablecloths and napkins for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!

Nowadays linen flax is one of the main materials used in the manufacture of UK banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, we can joke about linen having the same value as money…

Here are a few more interesting facts about Pure Linen:

The famous Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the towel bearing Christ's image which was not painted by human hands - was also made of linen.
Prior to the invention of paper, manuscripts were written on linen. One of the most renowned manuscripts - “Linen Book” by ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th century B.C.
In ancient Greece linen clothes were the privilege of high priests.
The famous army leader Alexander the Great wore an armour made of… linen to protect him in battle. It was said to be impenetrable to the enemy’s sword.
In ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved by Peter the Great was made of linen.

How to Remove Stains From Linen

2008-07-24T14:03:00.000+01:00

Pure linen is a luxury product, therefore stain removal sometimes should be arrainged in a slightly different to normal way.

BALLPOINT INK

Hold stain against towel, spray closely from behind with aerosol hair spray. Ink should transfer to towel.

BEVERAGES

Soak in cool water. Re-wash with stain remover. Launder using oxygen bleach.

BLOOD

Immediately rinse with cool water using oxygen bleach. For dried stains, soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Launder.

CANDLE WAX

Scrape off as much as possible with dull side of knife, then iron between absorbent paper, changing paper until wax is absorbed. Then treat the left stain as grease.

CHOCOLATE

Pre-wash with product containing enzymes in warm water or treat with pre-wash stain remover. Launder.

COSMETICS

Pre-wash with stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or paste of granular detergent and water or rub with bar of soap. Launder.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Soak in a product containing enzymes for at least 30 minutes (hours for aged stains). Launder.

DEODORANTS, ANTI-PERSPIRANTS

Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent. Launder. For heavy stains pre-treat with pre-wash stain remover. Allow to stand 5 to 10 minutes. Launder using an oxygen bleach.

EGG

Soak in product containing enzymes. Launder.

FRUIT JUICE

Rinse with cool water.

GRASS

Soak in product containing enzymes. If stains persist, launder using an oxygen bleach.

GREASE SPOTS, OIL

Pre-treat with Fairy washing liquid or liquid laundry detergent. For heavy stains, place stain face down on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning agent to back of stain. Replace paper towels under stain frequently. Let dry, rinse and launder.

INK

Use ink eradicator on undyed, untreated linen.

LEMON, LIME JUICE, VINEGAR

Rinse immediately with cool water.

LIPSTICK

On pure linen, rub with a little salad oil to dissolve lipstick, then launder to remove oil.

MEAT JUICE

Rinse with cool, never hot, water.

PERSPIRATION

Use pre-wash stain remover or rub with bar of soap. If color of fabric has changed, apply ammonia to fresh stains, white vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric.

RED WINE

Cover with salt if stain is fresh, then rinse through the fabric with boiling water.

TOMATO

Rinse with cool water.

WHITE WINE

Use club soda.

CHEWING GUM

Clean with purified petrol, then treat petrol stain as grease.

Luxury Bed Linen From Russia

2008-07-21T07:34:00.000+01:00

It is really interesting to me that no one in the UK seems to have heard about Russian linen. Everyone knows there is Irish linen but how on earth - with all stories about Siberia and the really bad Russian weather and climate - can there be linen from Russia?

Simple… In Russia, we never had any cotton and through centuries linen became a national treasure.

Linen is the most ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people have been growing flax which is then made into fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication of flax occurred in India and China well before cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago.

But despite its venerable age flax remains to be as young as ever and is always in trend.

Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.

In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and pure linen fabric among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.

Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality damask linen tablecloths and napkins for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!

Our current collection offers easy-care, fine quality luxury bed linen which relieves our customers from long-existing belief that pure linen is demanding to look after. It is expected that linen requires extra care... Our duvet covers, pillowcases and bedding sheets do not require ironing, just tumble dry them with a couple of tennis balls and your bed linen will get a soft and gentle, slightly creasy look...

Nowadays linen flax is one of the main materials used in the manufacture of UK banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, we can joke about linen having the same value as money…

Here are a few more interesting facts about flax fibre:

The famous Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the towel bearing Christ's image which was not painted by human hands - was also made of linen.
Prior to the invention of paper, manuscripts were written on linen. One of the most renowned manuscripts - “Linen Book” by ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th century B.C.
In ancient Greece linen clothes were the privilege of high priests.
The famous army leader Alexander the Great wore an armour made of… linen to protect him in battle. It was said to be impenetrable to the enemy’s sword.
In ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved by Peter the Great was made of linen.

Damask Linen Tablecloth Valse

2008-06-24T08:12:00.000+01:00

PURE LINEN DAMASK TABLECLOTH

Nothing can look more glamorous than pure linen damask tablecloth in natural colour. Available in two different sizes - 150X200cm and 150x250cm. 300g/m2 pure linen.

This damask tablecloth with its neutral colour and classic pattern is suitable for any sort of occasion - anniversary, birthday party, official reception or dinner with your close friends and family.

It has been made in Belarus, on one of the top linen factories with the use of traditional East-European technologies.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER DAMASK TABLECLOTH

Wash in low temperatures, such as 30 -40C
Dry naturally, iron on *** while dump.
Use starch if necessary

WHAT IS DAMASK?

HOW TO BUY VALSE DAMASK TABLECLOTH

You can buy this luxury tablecloth online from Alenska website.

PRICES

150X200cm £75
150X250cm £90

Irish Linen or Russian Linen – Make your Choice

2007-08-27T18:19:00.002+01:00

What to Wear and How to Care…Some facts about well-known Irish linen and unknown Russian linen, about Egyptian mummies and British bank notes, and how to take linen into your bed…

Irish linen is well-known through the world for its fine quality. It is seen as a luxury product which can be treasured through generations. How does this compare to Russian linen...read on and find out.

It is typically of Irish linen suppliers to state that their linen has a thread count of 1200 or more. On the other hand, you will also see the very same companies offering fine Egyptian cotton, which is naturally finer, with a thread count of only 300. How can there be such a difference, you may ask?

The difference is that each linen thread is made by spinning three separate strands of fibre together to form one actual thread of linen. Cotton threads are produced in the same way but somehow those clever Irish linen makers decided to count each of the smaller strands of fibre instead. So that’s where their thread count of 1200 comes from.

To compare like-for-like with cotton, the 1200 they typically quote is really the equivalent of only 400 threads of linen (you divide theirs by 3). This still is the best available thread count for cotton but the difference between the two aboves(Irish v Egyptian) is not as big as it first appears.

According to the Irish Linen Guild, linen probably came to Ireland in early Christian times (for example, St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, is said to be buried in a shroud of Irish Linen). The production of Irish Linen continued through the Middle Ages but it was not until the 17th Century that the industry started to develop in any structured way.

However, there is evidence that flax has been known in Russia for much longer than it has been in Ireland - and since 2000 B.C. We know that ancient Russian manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by Slavs.

Russians live with linen flax throughout their life and it inhabits absolutely every household. It might be in clothing, bedding sheets, table linens or even building materials, such as insulation. In Russia, linen has never been acknowledged as a luxury product and has a mostly domestic and home-friendly image. And did you know there is the strong belief amongst Russians that wearing linen clothes from birth will make you live up to 10 years longer!

Egyptian mummies were found wrapped in linen because linen has natural antiseptic properties. I might joke but you are born, wrapped in linen for all of your life to live 10 years longer and then, when you are dead, the linen will keep your corpse lasting forever!

You may call it black humour and we can argue another time on whose sense of humour is more black – English or Russian?

The flax grown in Eastern Europe and Russia is recognized as being the best in the world. This excellence is attributed to three beneficial factors: well-suited soil; a favourable climate; and the methods of experienced flax growers whose prime concern is quality.

A major benefit of flax now gaining even more importance for obvious reasons, is that of sustainable development and concern for the environment. Eastern European linen is environment-friendly and requires only a fifth of the pesticides and fertilizers used for cotton. The reason for this is that the flax crops must be planted in rotation each year and this method does not exhaust the natural goodness in the soil. The processes by which the flax plant is transformed into fibre are eco-friendly. Artificial fibres such as viscose, bamboo or corn require energy and chemicals whereas flax and linen does not.

Being in the laundry/dry cleaning business myself for over 6 years, I can guarantee that linen fabric is the ONLY one which looks better through years of use. It becomes softer, more gentle and it can last forever as it is 12 times stronger than cotton.

Every time I speak to somebody here in England, about linen, I get asked if it is painful to look after and, in particular, is it difficult to iron. Linen is perfectly washable in low temperatures, such as 30-40C (at high temperatures you do need to be careful as linen might shrink) and there is no need to use strong detergents. If we are talking about linen tablecloth, I definitely suggest not only ironing it but using a hint of starch (to make your dining table look good enough for the Queen to sit at). But talking about luxury bed linen, it is your choice – you can iron it and get it crispy fine, or you can simply dry it in a tumble dryer with a couple of tennis balls (the balls will hit the linen and make it soft and cosily creasy)… I personally prefer the second one as it not only saves my time but makes my bed much more welcoming…

White Bed Linen Bouquet

2007-07-23T14:28:00.000+01:00

LUXURY BED LINEN BOUQUET

A floral contribution to make a beautiful bedroom even more beautifull - pure white bed linen with fragile "Bouquet" embroidery. Pure 160g/m2 linen.

HOW TO BUY ALENSKA BED LINEN

You can buy this white bed linen as a set matching together duvet cover, pillowcases and beddingsheet, or as separate items. Available in single, double, king and superking size (see Size Chart)

HOW TO LOOK AFTER LUXURY BED LINEN

Wash our luxury bed linen in low temperatures, such as 30-40C, no strong detergents.
No need to iron. Hang naturally.
When dump put it into tumble dryer with a couple of tennis balls (the balls will hit the bed linen and soften it)

PRICES

Product Name	Price
Single Size Duvet Cover	£ 105.00
Double Size Duvet Cover	£ 187.00
King Size Duvet Cover	£ 199.00
Superking Size Duvet Cover	£ 219.00
Pillowcase Bouquet	£ 35.00
Single White Flat Sheet	£ 66.00
Double White Flat Sheet	£ 84.00
King/Superking White Flat Sheet	£ 105.00

Buy this luxury white bed linen from Alenska.com

Russian Eco-Linen

2007-05-30T19:27:00.007+01:00

There is no other fabric apart from pure linen which just gets finer and finer through many years of use and multiple washes. It is a king of modern fabrics. But apart from that linen is a very green product.

Linen is grown by using traditional methods of rotation. It is planted at some particular field for one year, and then it is not brought back to the same place for at least 6 years. In between those fields will be used for wheat, corn, potatoes or clover. Using this technology, Russian farmers were allowing the soil to have some rest, and by that they were reducing amount of used chemicals.

Linen requires 5 times less pesticides and fertilizers than cotton and 13 times less then potato (can you imagine what we eat?!!). It is ecologically friendly product. Apart from that linen lasts up to 12 times longer than cotton. Linen is thermo-regulating (insulating in wintertime, cool and breathable in summertime), non-allergenic and anti-bacterial and thus especially recommended for sensitive skin. The careful transformation and finishing processes are resulting in products which induce a feeling of pleasure and well being.

Eastern European linen is proceeding from the savoir-faire of generations. It inherited a unique elegance while adapting itself to evolving fashions and lifestyles. More than ever, it gives shape to designer innovations and fulfils consumer requirements. Whether as pure linen or in blends, it always combines quality with loyalty and creativity…

The use of linen dates back to ancient times: it was the first known textile fiber in the world, the earliest traces of its use dating back to 8000 BC. Linen has also been discovered in Egyptian tombs, wrapped around pharaohs' bodies: in 6000 BC, the noble virtues and solidity of this fiber were already well-known. The Phoenicians, renowned merchants and illustrious navigators, used to buy linen in Egypt in order to export it to Ireland and England. Flax thus was the first textile plant to be grown in Europe.

During the Roman era, the growing and applications of this fiber developed throughout the Empire and the Romans were the first to start using it at home.

During the Middle Ages, linen gained ground in northern and central Europe. It was used in clothing and equipment for kings and artisans, monks and soldiers. It was worn as a sign of status during the Renaissance: from delicate batiste, drugged, fine linen and lace ruffs through to work wear and humble caps for peasant women.

The ultimate family business, flax was grown and retted by the men folk, harvested by the women and children, spun by the women, woven by the men, made up into clothing and embroidered by young girls...

The savoir-faire was exported during the wars of religion. Huguenot weavers were forced into exile in Ireland and the Netherlands, and initiated local workers into the art of weaving linen.

The industrial revolution in the 19th century increased production capacity and linen was exported throughout the world. Trade routes were established, for example, canvas woven in Brittany was exported to Brazil, via Cadiz.

Colonial settlers adopted linen for its thermoregulatory properties. Light, absorbent clothing and household linen were very popular, and linen was often used for civil servants' uniforms. Linen was still the benchmark quality-wise and also for status. 19th-century wedding contracts mention it in descriptions of trousseaux.

Linen has always co-existed happily alongside the other natural fibers, even giving rise to interesting combinations: linen/cotton, linen/silk, linen/wool, linen/hemp... However, artificial and synthetic fibers posed a threat to European linen after World War II.

Jettisoning home economics, women's lib wholeheartedly embraced these new easy-care fabrics, imbued with modern flair, albeit often to the detriment of comfort and elegance.

This challenge acted as a spur to Eastern European linen and, today, thanks to ongoing research into innovations, the Eastern European linen industry has developed easy care fabrics, an amazing array of products for fashion and furnishings (weight, colors, handle and style) and often takes pride of place in international collections.

Read more about linen fabric and linen products on our website Alenska-Luxury Bedding and Table Linens. Alenska is the UK supplier of quality home accessories - linen window curtains, cushions, curtain fabrics, duvet sets and pillowcases, bedding sheets, bedspreads and luxury bath towels.