Sewing Circle: Linings for summer
Just in time for summer! This week's Sewing Circle brings a question from Amanda...
Q: I'm planning to sew a bunch of simple cotton skirts for summer. I live in Southwest Missouri, where summers are hot and horrendously sticky (i.e. you open the front door and immediately start sweating). As such, I refuse to buy summer skirts that I'll have to wear a slip under. So, for these skirts I'm going to make, what would you recommend for lining them? The fabric store had lots of choices... Too many choices, actually. I was overwhelmed, and decided that asking someone who sews a lot of dresses/skirts was my best bet. I'm looking for something relatively opaque so I won't have to wear a slip, but still breathable. What do you normally use?
Q: I'm planning to sew a bunch of simple cotton skirts for summer. I live in Southwest Missouri, where summers are hot and horrendously sticky (i.e. you open the front door and immediately start sweating). As such, I refuse to buy summer skirts that I'll have to wear a slip under. So, for these skirts I'm going to make, what would you recommend for lining them? The fabric store had lots of choices... Too many choices, actually. I was overwhelmed, and decided that asking someone who sews a lot of dresses/skirts was my best bet. I'm looking for something relatively opaque so I won't have to wear a slip, but still breathable. What do you normally use?
Hopefully, with your help, I won't have to aimlessly roam the aisles of the fabric store and creep out the employees anymore. Those sidelong glances in my direction were starting to make me paranoid ;)
A: Hi, Amanda,
I totally understand not wanting to wear a slip. For hot weather, you absolutely want a 100% cotton lining. A fine, lightweight voile, semi-sheer, would be best. A quilting cotton would be too heavy. You want a lightweight cotton, for sure! There may be a batiste or shirting that would work, but think light. JoAnn may not have it; you may have to buy it online. You can use white or tan, or it looks really good to use a color that sort of matches your fashion fabric.
If you really can’t find a lightweight cotton, the best linings at the fabric stores are rayon. They’re more expensive, but far nicer and more breathable.
If you're still learning and don't want to spend the big bucks, you could probably try using an old lightweight, 100% cotton bedsheet--just make sure you cut it on the right grain and treat it as if it were regular width fabric.
I know people don't often think about linings, so here are some cute (cotton) skirts that I can guarantee you are lined (with cotton)! Makes them much nicer and easier to wear!
(I know this one's a dress, but you get the idea...)
This one's probably lined with something like a cheap polyester double-knit, but you could line it with a nice white quilting cotton and you'd be much more comfortable!
For a slinkier skirt like this polyester one, I'd recommend a rayon lining for maximum breathability and a smooth look. Just don't wear it on the hottest days!
Hey, readers, what do you use when you line your summer skirts and dresses? Amanda would love to hear!