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Polyester Lining Fabric

Polyester lining is the practical choice for most garments: it's smooth against the skin, slides easily over other layers, holds its colour through repeated washing and costs a fraction of a silk or cupro lining. The range here runs from plain shades through to spots, paisleys, stripes and printed designs, so the inside of a garment can be as plain or as loud as you like.
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A lining does more than tidy the inside of a garment. It takes the wear that would otherwise fall on the main fabric, stops a skirt or a pair of trousers clinging, hides the seam allowances and interfacing, and makes the whole thing easier to put on. On a jacket it's what lets the sleeve slide over a jumper rather than dragging on it. Skip the lining and a garment feels homemade, however well the outside is sewn.

Polyester earns its place as the default for the same reasons it turns up in ready-to-wear. It's strong, it resists stretching and creasing, and it's colourfast, so a bright lining stays bright after twenty washes. It's inexpensive enough that lining a whole coat doesn't double the cost of the project, and it's stable enough to sew without fighting you, which isn't true of every lining fabric.

What's in the range

Plain linings in a broad colour range cover most needs, whether you're matching the main fabric or deliberately contrasting it. Printed and patterned linings, including spots, paisleys, stripes and pictorial prints, are the way to put something unexpected where only the wearer sees it. There are anti-static options for skirts and dresses that would otherwise cling, and a recycled polyester lining for anyone wanting a lower-impact choice. Weights and widths are on each product page.

How much lining do I need?

As a rule of thumb, a lining takes about the same metreage as the garment's main body pieces, less whatever isn't lined. A lined skirt or a pair of trousers usually needs a little over a metre; a lined dress around two to three; a coat around two and a half to three and a half. Your pattern will give a figure for lining separately, and that's the one to trust, since it accounts for the width and the layout.

Sewing and care

Lining fabric is slippery, which is the only real difficulty. Use a fine sharp needle, cut on a single layer with weights rather than pins if it shifts, and consider a walking foot. Finish the seams, since polyester lining frays readily. Leave a little ease at the centre back of a jacket lining as a pleat, so the lining doesn't pull when the wearer reaches forward. Press on a low setting, because polyester will melt or glaze under a hot iron. Most polyester lining washes at 30 degrees, but check the individual product page and the care label before washing, especially if the main fabric is dry clean only. For the full lining selection, including anti-static, acetate and lyocell, see our lining fabric collection, and for stretch garments our stretch lining fabric.

What is polyester lining fabric used for?

It's used to line dresses, skirts, trousers, jackets and coats, sitting between the main fabric and the wearer. It hides the seam allowances, protects the outer cloth from wear, stops the garment clinging and makes it easier to slide on and off.

Is polyester lining a good choice for dressmaking?

For most projects, yes. It's hardwearing, colourfast, inexpensive and stable enough to sew easily. The one drawback is breathability, so if you're lining something worn in warm weather or close to the skin all day, a viscose, cupro or acetate lining will feel cooler.

What's the difference between polyester lining and anti-static lining?

Anti-static lining has a finish or fibre content that stops charge building up, which is what makes a skirt cling to tights. Standard polyester lining is more prone to static, particularly in dry weather. If you're lining a skirt or a dress, the anti-static option is worth the small extra cost.

How much lining fabric do I need for a dress?

Usually around two to three metres, depending on the style, your size and the fabric width. Most patterns give a separate lining requirement, and that figure is more reliable than a general estimate because it accounts for the cutting layout.

Can you wash polyester lining fabric?

Most polyester lining washes at 30 degrees and dries quickly, but check the individual product page and the care label first. More importantly, match the lining's care to the main fabric: there's no point in a washable lining inside a dry clean only coat.

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