You may have noticed that we have recently added a number of new linen collections to our line-up. But all this choice may have you wondering, how do I pick the right linen for my next sewing project?? So we thought we could play detective, and provide you with three clues to help you find your perfect linen match.
Clue No. 1
The first clue to look for when choosing a linen for your project is its weight. Fabric weights are usually divided into light, medium, and heavy (relating to its GSM, or grams per square meter). For linen fabrics, light weights typically lend themselves to flowy dresses and tops, whereas medium weight may be more suited for pants and shirts, and heavy weight for garments such as jackets or overalls with more structure.
Clue No. 2
Another factor that can alter the properties of the fabric is whether it has been blended with other fibres. For example, our mid-weight Essex cotton-linen collection (as it’s name reveals) is blended with cotton, which has the effect of softening the linen while keeping its crisp look (below right). More recently we welcomed the Essex cotton-linen canvas to our shelves, which has a much more structured and full-bodied drape (below left).
Clue No. 3
The final piece of detective work is investigating whether/how the fabric was treated during production. One treatment method we love is washing. Both our Ellis Linen (below left) and Wells Linen (below right) collections are washed linens. So while they are both mid-weight 100% linen, the washed effect creates a softer and more relaxed feel than other mid-weight linen fabrics.
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We hope these clues arm you with the detective skills you need to uncover the right linen for your next sewing project. As always, we can’t wait to see what you make!
To help us see your wonderful creations, make sure to use #spoolofthreadf when you share your makes on social media.