Question 1

How should I care for my linen pieces?

Accepted Answer

Linen becomes softer and more absorbent after each wash, which is pretty neat. Wash linen on low temperatures in lukewarm or cold, and preferably soft, water. Use the gentle machine cycle and a mild natural detergent to protect the fibres. Do not crowd the washing machine with too many items at once. This can twist or pull the linen fabric out of shape. 
Linen will shrink if proper care isn't used with this textile. This is especially true if linen fabric is washed and dried using high heat. And, once a piece of fabric shrinks, it may be irreparable.
We love linen fabric’s natural creases, but if you really need to iron your linen clothes make sure they are slightly damp.

Question 2

Will the Dye fade after washing?

Accepted Answer

We recommend keeping bright colours, lights and darks separate, because synthetic dyes can rinse out of fabric and tint your delicate plant hues. We wash our plant dyed clothes with other pale coloured items.
One of the beautiful things about natural dyes is that they are alive. The colours dance in different lighting and appear to mysteriously change shades, and most colours are universally flattering on our skin tones. These are all reasons why we love natural colours. However, they are susceptible to accidental staining from acidic food, such as lemon juice, but all you need to do is wash your clothing in your usual way, and the stain will disappear.
Wash as little as possible. we wash our clothes wayyy too often. Try airing clothing outside in the shade to freshen it up.
Don’t dry in the sunlight ! Always dry in the shade. Sunlight will rapidly fade some dyes.
Use a gentle washing detergent.
We prepare our fabric before the dye sets in so as to ensure  a long lasting color. We also choose plants that dye well, rather than stain the fabric like beetroot, cabage and turmeric do.

Question 3

Where is your linen from?

Accepted Answer

We have several linen suppliers. We chose then from the reputable linen association list, which ensures transparency from the manufacturer during their process from planting, harvesting to weaving. Find out more here :
 
 https://www.agpl-lin.fr/ 
http://www.terredelin.com/internet/la-cooperative-engagee/reseau/reseau-1151.aspx
 
We have chosen linen from Europe so as to stay as local as possible. We fell in love with Irish linens, French linens and Lithuanian linens, which you can find in our collection. 
 
Material origin and traceabibility
61% of consumers declared themselves ready to pay more for linen with a certified European origin*
European Flax® fibre is produced in Western europe : France, Belgium, the Netherlands
Respect for the environnement:
no irrigation, no GMO, no waste
fibre extraction (scutching) is 100% mechanical
Social responsibility and ethics:
A 100% vegetal and vegan fibre
Compliance with International Labour Organization
Fibre proven qualities:
Comfort, Thermoregulation, Moisture Management and Anallergy
With guarantees:
3rd party verified traceability, through yearly audits conducted confidentially by Bureau Veritas Certification [BVC]
Mark registered internationally by the European Confederation of Flax and Hemp [CELC]
True composition, backed by testing within the Bast Fibre Authority,
And marketing tools
Logos for labelling semi-products and finished products composed of 100% or ≥ 50% of flax/linen
B2B and B2C sales support, image and video bank, trainings …
EUROPEAN FLAX® is the qualitative visa of premium European linen fibre for all applications. It preserves, highlights and safeguards a uniquely European agriculture and industry, its regional origins and its inherent non-relocatable know-how. An ambitious global label that aims to be recognized by the final consumer.
The English word “flax” has been purposefully chosen: it translates the notion of the “linen fibre”, and is more appropriate than the generic word “linen” whose definitions take in thread, linen textiles and homeware textiles. The term “all applications” encompasses all the employed uses and products with a linen fibre base, as much fashion and home textile as high-performance technical products, such as composite materials.

Question 4

What plants do you use for your dyes?

Accepted Answer

We offer a wide range of colors, and are always working to find new tones with new plants. Catherine our professional dye expert, has developed some of our recipes using, madder root, carrot tops, eucalyptus, oak nut, catechu etc.  We also recycle our avocado skins and pits which are great for dyeing. We love making avocado toast, so we freeze or dry the shells and pits.

OLIVE + BLUE
An Ode to Mother Nature

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

How should I care for my linen pieces?

Will the Dye fade after washing?

Where is your linen from?

What plants do you use for your dyes?