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Clothing alterations: how to add lining?

1 May 2007 7 Comments

[ needle and thread image ]Clothing alterations is probably the one topic I get asked about the most often — but since I’m a fairly average seamstress, I can’t always answer the questions myself.

This question is one of them. Sarah Fereno asks about adding lining to see-through garments:

I live in a warm climate and quite a number of my clothes — even some that are lined — are completely see-through when in the right light.

Please advise me of the best fabric to use to prevent this — hopefully one that will not cling to the outer fabric. I can line things myself but am not sure what to use.

I have just bought a beautiful cream linen dress that is not lined. It is see-through and I thought I would line it with cream or natural coloured cotton lawn. I am past the age of wearing see-through clothes. Please help.

If you know how to do it, please leave a comment!

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7 Comments »

  • Vildy said:

    Cotton makes sense to me because the two fabrics take about the same kind of care in laundering, ironing. Even if you don’t do it yourself, it’s good to line with fabrics that don’t have contradictory requirements.

    The lawn sounds as though it might not solve the see-through problem if you’ve had other lined clothes where this is true. I was also thinking of using a deeper nude shade.

    # 2 May 2007 at 1:17 am
  • Icy said:

    Lining material such as “sunnysilk” is also a good option. It shouldn’t cling too much to the fabric and will sit properly. When you go to buy your material, tell the retailer what you plan to do and ask their advice, you might be surpised. Vildy’s idea of a nude lining is a good one, try to match it to your skin colour.

    Otherwise, for the no sewing option, have you considered buying a slip/camisole/petticoat. Not really old fashioned and so practical ^_^

    # 2 May 2007 at 3:08 pm
  • The Bargain Queen said:

    Thanks for the tips, Vildy & Icy! I hope Sarah finds them useful.

    # 4 May 2007 at 1:32 pm
  • Oxanna said:

    I’m a bit late to the game, hopefully it’s not too late! :) Might I recommend cotton sateen? I’ve used it before to line linen, and it feels wonderful and is more opaque than cotton lawn.

    Also, light colors tend to just require more coverage, so I’d even suggest a slip or half-slip underneath the dress.

    # 4 May 2007 at 3:30 pm
  • The Bargain Queen said:

    Thanks for the tips Oxanna!

    And no, you’re not too late to the game — I still get comments on posts that are over a year old, so I guess people are still reading things even if they weren’t posted that day.

    # 4 May 2007 at 4:51 pm
  • nikki said:

    I have a question about a formal dress.Is there any thing you can do about a dress that the zipper is just a few inches from closing when i have the dress on? Can you let the zipper or seam out some without messing the dress up. Please help I love the dress Nikki

    # 9 May 2007 at 11:50 pm
  • The Bargain Queen said:

    Hi Nikki, take it to a professional alterations place and ask them — they’ll be able to tell you if it can be done.

    Good luck!

    # 29 May 2007 at 10:33 am

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