Question 1

Where can I buy linen fabric by the yard?

Accepted Answer

Here: Kitschy Notions cuts linen fabric by the yard to order. Every cut lists fiber content and width, plus GSM where the mill publishes it, and multiple yards ship as one continuous piece when inventory allows.

Question 2

What weight of linen should I buy?

Accepted Answer

Dress-weight linen at roughly 130 to 160 GSM for gathered dresses and floaty sleeves. Mid-weight at about 170 to 200 GSM for shirts, shift dresses, and trousers. Heavier than 200 GSM for jackets, aprons, bags, and home textiles. Each listing states the actual GSM rather than a vague label.

Question 3

What is the difference between dress-weight and mid-weight linen?

Accepted Answer

Dress-weight is lighter and more fluid, so it gathers without bulk at a waist seam but shows more through in pale colors. Mid-weight has enough body to hold a collar and a pressed placket, which is why it is the usual choice for a shirt. If you are buying one linen and unsure, buy mid-weight.

Question 4

Are linen blends worth it?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. A cotton-linen blend keeps linen's slubby texture and breathability while wrinkling less and holding a press better. It is the easier fabric to sew and the easier garment to wear. Pure linen is the one that ages best.

Question 5

Should I prewash linen before sewing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and dry it the way you plan to launder the finished piece. Linen shrinks most in its first wash, so shrinking it before you cut is what saves the garment.

Question 6

How much linen do I need for a shirt or a dress?

Accepted Answer

Roughly two yards at 54 in. for a short-sleeved shirt, two and a half to three for a simple dress, and about two and a quarter for wide-leg trousers. Add a quarter yard for shrinkage, and more if the print has a direction you want to match.

Question 7

Do you cut fabric continuously?

Accepted Answer

When inventory allows, multiple yards of the same fabric ship as one continuous cut. Unit and cutting rules are on each product page.

Choosing linen by weight

Pure linen and linen blends

Sewing and living with linen