You want to improve the comfort, elegance, or finish of your textile creations. Lining fabrics play an essential role in the world of sewing. They are placed inside garments or accessories and serve an aesthetic, practical, and functional purpose. Whether you are an amateur or professional dressmaker, understanding how to use lining fabrics helps you perfect the finishing touch of your projects.
Lining fabric: definition and uses
Lining fabric is a textile used to cover the inside of a garment or accessory. Unlike the main fabric visible on the outside, lining is often thinner, softer, and sometimes more slippery to make the garment easier to put on. It can be tone-on-tone for a discreet effect or more contrasting for a bold finish.
What is lining used for in sewing?
Lining serves several essential purposes:
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Provide warmth and comfort: ideal for coats, jackets, winter trousers, or capes, it adds an insulating layer that protects against the cold.
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Improve the garment’s drape and appearance: in an evening dress, a suit jacket, or a ceremonial garment, it provides fluidity, structure, and refinement.
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Hide the wrong side of the main fabric or the finishing details: useful for skirts, see-through dresses, or unlined garments, it provides a neater, more professional result.
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Improve the garment’s durability: it reduces friction against the skin or the clothes worn underneath.
Lining fabric for accessories
Lining is not limited to clothing. It is also widely used in accessory making. For example, sewing a fabric bag with lining not only improves the bag’s interior appearance, but also ensures better structure and a neat finish. Lining is also found in pouches, wallets, clutches or handbags.
How much fabric should you allow for?
This fabric is available here by the metre and in pre-cut lengths. You can use it for pajamas, blouses, and shirts.
| Feature |
Value |
| Composition |
Most often 100% viscose |
| Width |
142 cm |
| Weight |
110 g/m² |
| Care |
Wash at 30°C, do not tumble dry, iron on a cool setting |
| Packaging |
By the metre or in a pre-cut length |
The measurements below come from our fabric quantity guide, for a width of 142 cm.
- Pajamas: 2.50 m to 3.50 m
- Blouses: 1.60 m
- Shirts: 1.60 m
- Dresses: 1.30 m to 3 m
- Skirts: 70 cm to 2 m
- Trousers: 1.20 m to 2.50 m
- Evening dresses: 2.10 m to 3 m
For example, for pajamas, allow 2.50 m to 3.50 m and add a little extra if the fabric has a pattern that needs matching.
In practical terms, a width of 142 cm often allows two pieces to be cut side by side. In practice, there is no need to prewash them: our fabrics are already prewashed and do not shrink as long as they are washed at 30 degrees.
Which fabrics should be used for lining?
There is a wide variety of fabrics specifically designed to be used as lining. The choice depends on the desired effect, the garment being lined, and the season:
Lightweight linings
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Polyester: very common, economical, available in many colors, and easy to sew.
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Acetate: fluid, soft, and slightly shiny, it is ideal for dresses or skirts.
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Silk: luxurious and natural, perfect for high-end garments, but more expensive and delicate to care for.
Thicker or insulating linings
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Cotton: pleasant against the skin, it is perfect for children's clothing or breathable linings.
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Fleece-lined fabric or fleece: used for winter garment linings to retain warmth.
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Viscose: fluid, breathable, and soft, it is well suited to jackets and trousers.
How to choose the right lining?
To choose the right lining fabric, consider the following factors:
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The type of garment or accessory: a coat will not require the same lining as a lightweight dress.
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The season: choose warm materials for winter (fleece-lined fabric, fleece) and lightweight linings for summer (viscose, acetate).
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The drape of the main fabric: if the outer fabric is fluid, choose a lightweight lining to maintain a natural movement.
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Care: some linings require dry cleaning, while others are machine washable.
Where to buy lining fabric by the metre?
At verotex, we offer a wide selection of lining fabrics by the metre, carefully chosen for their quality and variety. You will find:
- Plain or printed fabrics
- A wide range of colors to suit all your projects
- Various compositions (polyester, cotton, viscose, acetate…)
- Affordable prices for every budget
Add style to your creations with quality lining
Whether you want to give your garments a professional finish or simply make your creations more comfortable, lining fabric is your ally. Don't overlook this step: a beautiful lining can transform a simple garment into a refined and durable piece.
