Stretch Lining Fabric

Lining for anything that has to move. A stretch garment lined with a standard woven will fight itself and the seams will give way, so these linings are made with elastane so they stretch and recover alongside the main fabric. The range covers lightweight jersey linings, a woven viscose lining with a little give, and a body shaping panel for skirts and dresses.

Redeem

Redeem

155cm wide, polyester jersey lining fabric in black. Ideal for lining stretch and woven garments.

Regular price €7,90 per metre
+ More colours Squisito - Lilac

Squisito - Lilac

Lovely quality viscose / lycra four way stretch jersey fabric in lilac.

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Regular price €7,90 per metre
+ More colours Squisito - Coral

Squisito - Coral

150cm wide superb quality four way stretch viscose lycra dress fabric in coral

Regular price €7,90 per metre
Poplin Stretch - Beige

Poplin Stretch - Beige

Beige Stretch Cotton Poplin. 150cm wide. 97% cotton with slight stretch for structured shirting.

Regular price €9,90 per metre
Body Shape

Body Shape

This underslip fabric has a non slip strip to prevent any "riding" up the legs. Extremely supportive control fabric sold as three panels over your chosen meterage.

Regular price €9,90 per metre
Hold In

Hold In

145cm wide dress fabric made from a blend of polyamide and elastane. Dual sided ex-designer cloth in navy and dark navy.

Regular price €9,90 per metre
Bodycon - Rust

Bodycon - Rust

142cm wide form-fitting dress fabric made from a blend of polyester, viscose and elastane. Ex-designer cloth featuring a burnt orange face and a black reverse.

Regular price €15,90 per metre
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Made in Italy Nylon Lawn - Aqua Plain

Nylon Lawn - Aqua Plain

Introducing our exceptional 128cm wide superfine nylon lawn fabric in pale blue with a luxurious satin finish.

Regular price €11,90 per metre
+ More colours Stretch Breathable Lining - Stone

Stretch Breathable Lining - Stone

140cm wide, breathable stretch dress lining in stone, made from viscose with 3% elastane.

Regular price €5,90 per metre

The mistake that ruins a lined jersey dress is lining it with an ordinary woven. The outer fabric stretches when the wearer moves, the lining doesn't, and either the garment won't go on or the lining seams pop. Stretch lining solves that by having elastane in the mix, so it moves and recovers with the cloth on top of it and the garment behaves as one piece.

What's stocked here varies in composition, which is worth paying attention to because it changes how a lining feels and behaves. Viscose and elastane blends are cool against the skin and drape well, which suits dresses. Polyester jersey linings are lighter, smoother and quicker drying, adding movement without bulk. Polyamide and elastane blends have more compression and hold the body more firmly. There's also a woven viscose lining with a small percentage of elastane, for garments that want a little give rather than full stretch. Each product page gives the composition, width and weight.

Body shaping panels

Alongside the conventional linings there's a body shaping fabric with a woven grip strip built into it, sold in panels rather than as a plain length. It's the fabric that stops a lined skirt or dress riding up the leg, which is a common and irritating problem with fitted styles. Read the product page carefully before ordering, as the panel layout means the metreage works differently from a standard cloth.

How to choose

Match the stretch. A lining should stretch at least as much as the fabric it's lining, in the same direction. Check whether your main fabric stretches two-way or four-way.
Match the weight. A heavy lining under a light jersey will drag the garment out of shape.
Match the care. There's no sense in a washable lining inside a dry clean only dress.

Sewing and care

Sew stretch lining with a ballpoint or jersey needle and a narrow zigzag, a stretch stitch or an overlocker, so the seam can stretch as far as the cloth does. Don't stretch the lining as you feed it through, or it'll ripple once it relaxes. These fabrics are fine and slippery, so cut on a single layer with weights and take your time. Press on a low heat, since elastane is damaged by a hot iron. Most will wash at 30 degrees, but check the individual product page and the care label before washing. For non-stretch linings, see our polyester lining fabric, and for the full selection our lining fabric collection.

What is stretch lining fabric?

Stretch lining is a lightweight lining fabric with elastane in the mix, so it stretches and recovers along with the garment it's lining. It's used inside jersey and other stretch garments, where an ordinary woven lining would restrict the fit and eventually split at the seams.

Do I need a stretch lining for a jersey dress?

Yes, if you want the dress to go on and stay in shape. A woven lining will stop the jersey stretching where it needs to, which means the garment either won't fit or will tear at the lining seams. Match the direction of the stretch as well as the amount.

What's the difference between stretch lining and ordinary dress lining?

The elastane content. Ordinary lining is stable and doesn't give, which is exactly right under a woven skirt or a tailored jacket. Stretch lining moves with the garment, which is what a jersey dress, a bodycon skirt or anything close-fitting needs.

How do you stop a lined skirt riding up?

The usual culprit is tights against a slippery lining. A body shaping lining with a grip strip along the hem solves it directly, and it's what the shaping panels in this collection are for. Failing that, a slightly wider lining and a well-finished hem help.

Can you sew stretch lining on an ordinary sewing machine?

Yes. Use a ballpoint or jersey needle and either a narrow zigzag or a built-in stretch stitch, so the seam stretches with the fabric. Don't pull the lining as it feeds through the machine, or the seam will ripple once it relaxes.