We are pleased to have luxurious, pure linen sheets and quilt covers on Temple & Webster today, and Linda Sheahan of Miss Molly is here to tell us more about French flax, Cleopatra, and the real Miss Molly.

What is your background and how did you come to start Miss Molly?
Sleeping is something I'd like to do more of, and I wanted to create really lovely bed sheets to do so in! My background is in visual arts, as a printmaker and also in education. I developed a love of textiles from both my mother and my aunts; my mother worked as a foundation garment maker and later she turned that skill to wedding gowns, homewares and clothing a large brood. I relished our Sunday visits with my aunts because they were always so exquisitely done out. Those outfits were worn and worn much later in the 80's and 90's.

My mother always used natural textiles that were made to last and last ... as hand -me- downs! I like reusing, and I love things that are made to last, quality things. I've sewed since being knee high, so I'd say creating Miss Molly is a different manifestation of that skill. Miss Molly is named after our family's fancy pants mini foxy. She's a little rascal - very friendly and a great dancer, really it's very hard not to enjoy her company!

Tell us more about French flax linen
Linen is woven from the fibres of the flax plant, and the raw flax in Miss Molly products is from France. I like the quality of this flax, and the growers from this area are known as the master flax producers. The popularity of flax has continued to expand because of how wonderful it is to sleep in, it is so different to cotton.  Often people are put off because it doesn't feel like cotton to touch, which funnily is exactly the point ... it's vastly different!  There seems to be an obsession with thread count, but when you see 1000 thread count at Spotlight for $80 you know something doesn't add up.

The other thing I love about linen is that it's a completely natural and renewable resource – perhaps the most ecologically sound fabric of all and it is totally biodegradable and recyclable. It's also a healthy fabric to sleep in, as it has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, it doesn't trap dust particles and it's a thermal regulating fabric which means it can breathe, so it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Flax is a really ancient textile and its history goes right back to biblical time. Even Cleopatra chose flax linen!

Can you tell us about your sourcing and manufacturing process?
In my quest to create this lovely bedding, I've been fortunate to have a friend in Europe who directed me to this manufacturer of luxury linens. The same manufacturer makes linen for luxury spas and health resorts across Europe and the US. Textile manufacturing in Australia does wildly diverse things, but weaving for bedding is not one that is viable here anymore.  It would be great if flax was grown in Australia, it doesn't require irrigation as cotton does, maybe in the future as the interest in flax linen is growing. I also work with two marvelous women on the ground in Asia who help produce and do quality control for me. I must say I feel lucky, as both are very patient with me.  I do have the smaller items sewn here in Australia and intend on expanding that side of production.

Where do you usually sell your linens?
I like selling at the small community markets, like Balmain's St Andrews markets, it's a very laid back market I've also been going to Prince of Wales Hospital Markets and Concord hospital markets; they are little known but a lot of fun to attend. I love working alongside other stallholders. Miss Molly always gets a good deal of attention, people love to come and feel the flax. The very tactile and sensual nature of textiles brings out the hunter and gatherer in us. It's always good getting feedback from customers, and particularly good when they come as return buyers which happens often! Customers can always contact me through the Miss Molly website or through our Facebook page - keep an eye out there for details of my new range of lovely sleepwear and bathrobes.