IL020 Handkerchief Bleached Softened - 100% Linen Fabric - Light (3.7 oz/yd²), Width 58"

So soft yet a lot of structure. Used to make a blouse for myself

There is nothing like linen for embroidery. The order was delivered promptly and was totally satisfactory. The lovely texture and lightness will be a special ground for handwork.

This was a joy to work with. I made a Roman tunica for SCA summer events as ideal nursing garb, and am using it also for cuffs and collars in drawn-thread embroidery. The even weave and slight sheerness look amazing, and its a joy to work with. Hemstitching is a dream - once I square the linen, pinching the hem and running a fingernail down it creases nicely so I need minimal pins to do my hand work. I will buy this again and again for shirts, chemises, Roman undertunics, embroidery and lace ground, and maybe eventually some hand-dyed and embroidered curtains or pillowcases. Strongly recommended!

I love this white linen but I am unable to get the hard creases out. I used a hot steam iron which improved it greatly, but hard creases from the folds are still perceptible. Any other suggestions?

I haven't yet used this linen. For 15 years during the 1980s and 1990s, I traveled the US/Canada, teaching fine hand sewing to adult women who were sewing primarily for young children. Christening dresses were a favorite and, for little baby boys, Irish handkerchief or tissue linen was the fabric of choice. I haven't done much sewing in the last decade, but my niece (my surrogate daughter, as her mother passed two years ago), after 4 years of fertility treatments, is finally pregnant, and this fabric will make an heirloom Christening garment for many generations to come. I was delighted when I received this lucious, lustrous fabric, and can't wait for this little blessing to arrive so we can decide whether pin-tucks or ruffles, lace or tatted insertions and edgings, ribbons or twisted cord!

I read Fiona's review about poor customer service. I have found the customer service to be excellent from Fabrics-Store.com. I am in the Eastern Time Zone. I am usually on the computer in the evening and most times my questions are answered soon after I send them. I get very complete answers. The longest I have ever had to wait for a reply was the next day. The orders are received within a few days -- definitely less than one week.

I use this fabric to make shifts, colonial round caps, and neck cloths for the docents at the museum where I do some basic costume work. For a craftsman with modest sewing skills, the fabric is very easy to handle. Just remember to prewash a few times and the garments will wear and wash beautifully even with heavy use. A tip: A little spray starch makes cutting and fancy hemming easier.

I do a lot of historical sewing for reenacting and the Renaissance Faire. This linen is wonderful to work with. It softens right up after pre-washing and is strong and sturdy. It's so much easier to wear for summer events. From now on all period undergarments are going to be made from handkerchief weight linen!

I am a professional costumer. I am obsessed with tiny \\\"details\\\"in my work. A good design begins with quality fabrics. With 30+ years under my belt I know quality fabric at a glance. I purchased this linen as an option for my clients who cannot afford Ulster or Belfast linen which costs me $24.50 a yard! I was over the moon with joy when I received my first order of this linen (IL020 - Handkerchief). Yes, it's not as white, but it is still a high quality handkerchief weight linen. I've purchased other linens on Etsy for $10 a yard, and it was rough and of substandard quality! Never again!! I insist on using THE best fabrics in my designs because I want my clients to get their money's worth. This linen lives up to my very exacting standards for quality. If you want your linen to stand up to time and wear NEVER machine wash. Never use bleach. Never dry it in the dryer, and please don't iron on the high setting! WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: I've consulted with professional weavers with many years of experience and they tell me to always soak your linen in water no hotter than 70 degrees for about 45 minutes using a gentle detergent - I use Oxyclean or Ivory Snow Flakes. Do not use bleach or whiteners! Don't wring out the water by twisting! Bleach, strong detergents, machine washing, high heat and wringing to remove the water breaks down the natural glue of the linen fibers created when the linen is spun and your linen loses its natural sheen and becomes fuzzy in appearance. Yes, it may be softer when this happens, but it breaks down the integrity of the fibers and it no longer will wick away the sweat as efficiently. Agitate the garment in your wash water but don't rub together to remove soiled spots. SOAK IT! If you have to, repeat the soaks until it's clean. Again, don't wring out the water. Squeeze it and lay it on a towel then roll it up to express the excess water, unroll and dry flat. Linen is a straight fiber and likes to dry straight. Don't fold it over a clothes line. Hang it on a hanger or dry it flat. Press your linen with an iron when it is slightly damp. If you launder and care for linen properly it will stand up to years of wear! - Christine Helman DesignsFromTime.com

I love the smooth texture of this linen, but I was surprised when I put it next to my other white linen fabrics, because it was off-white, rather than white. I use it to make product labels, and I hope the off-white color will work. I haven't yet tried it.