Linen Fabric Product Guide | OFS Maker's Mill (2024)

Belgian linen comes in varying colors and patterns for a more decorative look. You can use the heavy weight Belgian linen for applications like bedding and upholstery. Most Belgian linen is between 10 and 15 ounces per square yard. Click here to learn more about Belgian linen fabric.

Weighing in at 8.5 ounces per square yard, European linen is a middle weight linen that can be used for clothing and upholstery. This fabric has body, but still flows well.

Irish linen is another great lightweight linen that weighs 6.7 ounces. This fabric is popular for bedspreads, tablecloths, and napkins. While probably too light for upholstery, it can be used for furniture that gets very light use. We used Irish linen to make these linen napkins.

If you like the look of burlap but aren’t a big fan of the smell or feel, you may want to try linen burlap. This fabric feels like linen, and looks like burlap but without the drawbacks. At 9.1 ounces it’s considered a medium weight linen, but may not be great for upholstery because of the looser weave. This is a popular choice for rug hooking projects.

The lightest of all our linen fabrics at 4 ounces per square yard, linen scrim is the perfect material for airy sheer curtains that let in light but provide privacy.

Metallic linen is a 7 ounce 100% linen fabric with a subtle metallic shine. This elegant lightweight fabric is great for drapery and pillowcases. The metallic foil is only on the right side of the fabric.

Lightweight polyester linen is a popular fabric for making clothing and window treatments. Our 100% polyester linen fabric has a loose weave and is available in a variety of solid colors. We also carry a heavier basketweave polyester linen.

Linen blends are another great option for curtains and other décor, as well as apparel. We have cotton and linen blends and polyester, cotton, and linen blends.

Dry cleaning is recommended for most linen fabrics due to shrinking (polyester linen is an exception as it can definitely be machine washed), but many people say machine or hand washing is fine. If you do machine wash linen, tumble dry gently with little to no heat. Use light detergent and never use bleach. Take out the fabric before it dries completely or it may become stiff.

In the event that your linens need to be ironed, first make sure the fabric is damp. Iron using medium heat with the steam setting on. Bright colors can be pressed on both sides, but darker colors should only be ironed on the back. The metallic linen has metallic threads that could be damaged by heat, so ironing is not recommended.

When sewing linen, use a machine needle between size 10 and size 14 depending on the weight of the fabric. Don’t use erasable pens to mark linen as this could damage the fabric. Linen fabric will fray, so finishing the seams with a serger or pinking shears is recommended. Click here to learn more tips for sewing linen.