Russian crash

textile

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Russian crash" refers to the coarsest type of crash fabric, a rugged textile made from strong, smooth yarns that can be irregular or unprocessed. This fabric is typically woven with linen for the warp and a mix of linen and jute for the filler, often using a plain weave. Historically, the word "crash" may have originated from the Russian word krashenina, meaning colored linen. Crash fabrics are used for various items, including toweling, draperies, dresses, and summer suits. While Russia has a history of textile manufacturing, particularly cotton textiles, the specific mention of "Russian crash" relates to the fabric's type rather than a broad industrial category in Russia.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

crash
The coarsest type is called Russian crash. Linen is generally used for the warp yarn, while linen, jute, or a mixture of linen and jute is used for the filler. Plain weave is normally employed, but twill is sometimes used.
Read More
The coarsest type is called Russian crash. Linen is generally used for the warp yarn, while linen, jute, or a mixture of linen and jute is used for the filler. Plain weave is normally employed, but twill is sometimes used.
Read More