Linen is made with love and for loved ones. Throughout Turkey, it is still common for mothers to wrap newborn babies with a linen cover or accessory. This linen then accompanies each child for the rest of his or her life and provides a visible representation of love between mother and child.
For more than 5,000 years, flax-based linen has also served as a cultural bridge between central Asia, Anatolia, the Balkans, and North Africa, or what is often referred to as the Fertile Crescent.
Flax seeds can be planted year round in mild climates and take about 4 months to reach its full height of 3-4 feet. This plant can grow in almost all types of soil and has small blue flowers.
Harvested flax stalks are organized into small bundles and tossed inside pools or ponds where the water breaks down the tough stalks in 15-20 days. When the stalks are removed from the water, they are threshed with clamps to separate fibers for use. Then, these fibers are thinned and spun into spools of thread. At this point, dyes can be applied to the thread that will eventually add vibrant colors to the linen cloth and runners. The colors reflect the emotions of life, family bonds, and community.
Nature, hard work, and love go into every spool of thread. And value is added at every step.
In Sinop, women prepare the spools of thread for the loom based on centuries of tradition. The work is also guided by the design and skill of the artists. Thread count, size, texture, and patterns are carefully built into the vision for every table runner. Weaving a single runner can take up to 10 days, depending on the complexity of the pattern and size of the runner. All are made with love and in harmony with nature.
Yet, this tradition is fading. Few people travel to Sinop. To support these artists, we are bringing their fine art to you. When you purchase one of their table runners, you will support this sustainable tradition as well as the women artists and their communities. Whether your new table runner is for your home or office, or someone you love, you will be helping out and adding beauty and love to your surroundings.
Let this product bring love to your life. You can find our latest offerings here.
Maintenance Features of Linen Fiber
Washing: Hand wash in cold water or delicate wash cycle, wash separately. Do not dry clean.
Bleaching: Do not bleach.
Drying: Line dry in shade. Do not tumble dry.
Ironing: Use a medium-hot iron on the fabric while it’s still damp or overlay it with a damp towel.
