Ireland, Canada and parts of Eastern Europe still produce linen today, but none is as famous as what comes out of Flanders. Other flax products Linen is made from the taller varieties of flax, which are referred to as fiber flax. But shorter varieties of the plant are grown for their seed. Seed flax is harvested much like wheat and it's where flax oil and linseed oil come from. Flax oil is valued by many for its health benefits because it's rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.
Linseed oil is used to make linoleum, printing inks, soaps, varnishes and other products.
Seed flax is also used to manufacture specialty papers. Most of the paper used in cigarette manufacturing in the United States comes from domestically grown seed flax. Canada is the largest producer and exporter of this type of flax. The Shelburne Museum has a large collection of linens showcasing a variety of weave structures. The weavers themselves are even documented on certain pieces.