The Linen Aging Laboratory (Part Two)

In Part One, we visited fog linen work owner
Yumiko Sekine, and heard about the sense of attachment that comes
from using linen for a long time, from the perspective of "choosing things" and "making things."

And later, recalling what we had heard during the interview,
we gathered together the linen items that ZUTTO staff members have long cherished and photographed them for this piece.

In this photo, moving from left to right,
the number of years each item has been used gradually increases.
Alongside simple cloth items like kitchen cloths and handkerchiefs,
there are also things worn on the body, like aprons and linen pants.

The linen pants on the far right hold the record (?)
for longest use among the ZUTTO staff's cherished items, though the owner, staff member Sakai,
says she no longer even knows how long she's worn them.

The kitchen cloth on the far left and these linen pants
are both the same "Natural" color,
yet even in the photo you can see the change in tone and texture.

1: Linen Kitchen Cloth

2: A cloth formerly used by ZUTTO as large linen wrapping

3: Linen Handkerchief

4: Apron (*This style has already been discontinued.)

5: Oise Linen Pants

Among ZUTTO staff, the simple cloths are the most popular items in everyday use.
Since we use fog linen for our original gift wrapping,
staff often end up using the wrapping linen for handiwork,
or as a placemat.

Twice a year, in spring and autumn,
a catalog arrives from fog linen work.
Naturally the products themselves are lovely, but the photography and design are so wonderful
that a staff member has been keeping back issues.

New patterns are born each season,
making it a pleasure to gradually add linen items to your collection.
Of course some patterns are eventually discontinued,
but there are also standard item numbers that remain unchanged and continue to be loved.

Foremost among these is "N (Natural)."
Among Ms. Sekine's own cherished items,
this "Natural" linen also appeared frequently.
Let's take a closer look at linen aging
through the "Kitchen Cloth Natural,"
said to be the very first item fog linen work ever created.

On the left in the photo is a brand-new kitchen cloth; on the right, one that has been used for two years.
The one that's two years old is a working veteran,
always hung in the kitchen and used for drying dishes.

Looking closely, you can see that the long-used one has a slight fuzziness to it,
and feels considerably softer to the touch than the new one.
You can also see that the color has faded from repeated washing.

According to Ms. Sekine, when you first wash a new item to remove sizing,
it shrinks by about 5%.
Comparing a long-used item to a new one,
we found the long-used one had shrunk considerably more.
While the new one is crisp with sizing still intact,
the long-used one, having never been ironed,
has developed a wonderfully soft, relaxed texture.

And here's something else.
Fog's cloths have a loop on the back printed with laundry care instructions,
and the blue print
has faded so much it's nearly invisible.
It's proof of just how many times it's been washed.

Whether to iron or not to iron is a tricky question.
Like Ms. Sekine, ZUTTO staff members
often skip ironing for kitchen cloths and aprons,
enjoying their soft, relaxed texture instead.
Still, for things like tablecloths when guests come over,
you naturally want them crisp and perfectly pressed.
That's just how it is.

However, pressing a large tablecloth
perfectly crisp with an iron is quite a laborious task.
For times like this, we recommend ironing while enjoying a lovely scent.

1: the Laundress Ironing Water
2: naiad Morning-Picked Rose Water
3: Florame Pillow Spray

Ironing water is convenient because you can pour it straight into the iron's tank
for steaming,
and with rose water or pillow spray, mixing the right amount into your spray bottle water
gives off a subtle, pleasant scent.

Choosing a pattern and design that you love
is also an important key to using something for a long time with genuine affection.

Since fog's linen patterns change each season,
there are some that get discontinued and become impossible to find again.
But that, too, is one reason your attachment to them deepens.

1: A navy and red check pattern
2: A refreshing blue and white stripe
3: A thin, versatile stripe that goes with everything

All three patterns we chose are in shades of blue,
but lined up together, each has its own distinct character.
(Incidentally, these three
are actually the various linens
that have been used over the years for ZUTTO's original gift wrapping.)

After choosing a pattern to match your mood—"which one should I use today?"—
it's also fun to think about what occasion to use it for.

In talking with Ms. Sekine, we learned that
linen plays a role in everyday life not just in clothing, in the kitchen, or in the living room,
but also in the bathroom and bedroom.
溶け込んでいるなというのを会話の端々から感じたのですが、
Simple linen cloths are exactly the kind of thing that can be used for all sorts of purposes.

You can fold a handkerchief-sized one into quarters and set a plate of sweets on top,

or enjoy how well it pairs with flowers and greenery,

and of course, it's fine to use in the bathroom as well.

Not only is linen useful as a household tool, but
the fact that you can find items to wear made of the same material
is, I think, part of the appeal of fog.

Linen that you can wash freely and vigorously in the washing machine
and dry to a crisp finish
is sure to feel wonderful against your skin.

Not just for cooking, but an apron indispensable for household chores as well…

Linen pants are a favorite for relaxing.

A bathrobe that gives you a slightly luxurious feeling can also serve as a robe for lounging around the house.

The keyword for this feature was "everyday use."
From the standpoint of choosing things,
there is certainly a kind of coolness in, say, using delicate glassware on a daily basis,
or wearing an expensive diamond necklace
as part of your everyday routine.

But apart from that, I find myself thinking once again that
there's really something wonderful about things you can keep using every day without any stress.
Being sturdy enough to withstand vigorous washing-machine washes.
Being something you use daily and enjoy choosing.
Being priced fairly.
fog's dedication to making things
comes together in the concept of everyday use.

When I compared a linen kitchen cloth that had been used for two years
with a brand-new one, the difference was quite striking.
As Sekine-san mentioned in our conversation,
for those of you who are currently enjoying using linen,
I'd love for you to occasionally bring in a brand-new piece of linen
so you can really feel the way linen ages over time…. That's what I hope for.