1544 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Lawn. — Light-weight, sheer cloth that is usually well sized. Used for 

 dresses, aprons, and curtains because of its sheer quality. 



Madras. — Firm, close weave with stripes and figures in color on a white 

 background. Used for dresses, shirts, and shirtwaists because of its 

 novelty in design, weave, and color combinations. 



Muslin. — A plain weave made in several qualities, bleached and 

 unbleached. Used for sheets, dresses, and underwear when strength 

 and durability are primary objects. 



Percale. — A firm, closely woven cloth. Used for dresses, shirts, and 

 aprons because of durability, ease of laundering, and relatively low cost. 



LINEN 



In olden times linen was used for many of the needs of the family, but 

 to-day cotton has largely supplanted it for common uses. 



Linen is made from the long, lustrous fiber obtained from the stock of 

 the flax plant grown in European countries and to some extent in America. 

 Linen fibers are rich-looking and are woven into a fabric that finds many 

 uses, according to its weight and weave. The luster of the fiber enables 

 it to shed soil easily, but its tendency to become easily wrinkled is often 

 an objection to its use in the wardrobe. 



Since linen is difficult to dye and its colors often fade, it is economical 

 to buy colors that are likely to be durable. 



Flax fiber is expensive to grow and to manufacture and the finished 

 product must demand a good price. If high prices are paid for linen, the 

 purchasers should be able to know that pure linen will be delivered. 



Adulterations 

 Damasks and dress linens often contain large percentages of mercerized 

 or calendered (an imitation of mercerized) cotton. It is difficult to dis- 

 tinguish between the two when they are starched and well finished, so that 

 the buyer is often deceived. 



Tests for adulteration 



Linen threads break with an uneven, pointed end, whereas cotton 

 threads break with an even-tufted end. 



If cotton and linen fabrics are briskly rubbed between the fingers, the 

 surface of the linen will be smooth, while the surface of the cotton 

 will be rough owing to the many ends of short fibers. 



A drop of olive oil, or any similar oil, may be placed on a sample of cloth 

 to be tested and the cloth laid between two blotters. If the cloth is 

 linen the, spot will be translucent ; if it is cotton the spot will appear 

 opaque. 



