There are several reasons why you might want to add a lining to a finished dress. One reason is to improve the drape and hang of the dress. A lining can help the dress to hang smoothly and fall more naturally, which can be especially important if the fabric of the dress is quite thin or light.
Another reason to add a lining is for added warmth. If you have a dress that you love, but it’s not quite warm enough for colder weather, adding a lining can help to keep you warm. A lining can also be helpful if the fabric of the dress is too sheer or see-through, as it can provide an extra layer of coverage.
Finally, adding a lining can increase the opacity of a dress. If the fabric of your dress is quite thin or light, a lining can help to prevent it from being see-through when worn. This can be especially helpful if you need to wear the dress in a professional or formal setting, or if you simply prefer more coverage.
Materials and Tools Needed
Materials
Some of the basic materials that you will likely need to add a lining to a finished dress.
Lining fabric: You will need a sufficient amount of lining fabric that matches or complements the color and weight of the dress’s main fabric. Choose a fabric that has similar care instructions to the dress.
Measuring tape: to measure the length and width of the dress’s bodice, skirt, and sleeves.
Scissors or rotary cutter: to cut out the lining pieces.
Pins: to hold the lining in place while sewing.
Sewing machine or needle and thread: to attach the lining to the dress. A sewing machine is more efficient and faster, but if you don’t have one, you can also use a needle and thread to do it by hand.
Iron and ironing board: press the seams and make them lie flat after the lining is attached.
Tailor’s chalk or fabric marker: mark the fabric before cutting it.
It is always a good idea to have a thread that matches the dress and the lining. Also, consider having extra tools handy like a seam ripper, or bias tape if the dress has a complex design or if you are not confident in your skills.
Tools
Yes, those are some additional tools that may be useful depending on the complexity of the dress you are working on:
Seam ripper: This tool is useful for undoing any mistakes made while attaching the lining, or removing any original linings.
Bias tape: if the dress has a complex design, bias tape can be used to finish the edges of the lining to give them a professional look and clean finish.
Curved needle: for hard-to-reach areas, such as sleeve openings and armholes, a curved needle may be useful.
Zipper foot: some dresses might have zippers and it might be useful to have a zipper foot to attach the lining around the zipper.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all dresses will require these additional tools, so it’s a good idea to evaluate your dress’s specific needs before starting the project.
How to Add a Lining to a Finished Dress
Adding a lining to a finished dress can be a bit more difficult than adding one to a dress that is still in the construction phase, but it can be done. Here are the general steps you can follow to add a lining to a finished dress:
Measuring and Cutting the Lining
To measure the length and width of the dress’s bodice, skirt, and sleeves, use a measuring tape to measure the length and width of each section of the dress. Make sure to include any seam allowances in your measurements, and write them down or make a sketch. If the dress has a complex design or it’s hard to take the measurements take note of the dress on paper and trace the measurements.
Once you have your measurements, cut out the lining pieces using the same shape and design as the dress, but slightly smaller to allow for ease of movement. Make sure to mark the fabric with the tailor’s chalk or fabric marker before cutting it. You might want to do a test run on a small piece of fabric to ensure that the lining will fit properly before cutting the actual lining.
To ensure a proper fit, it’s important to double-check the measurements and compare them to the dress before cutting the lining pieces. Also, try the lining on the dress before attaching it, to make sure that it fits properly and make any necessary adjustments.
It’s important to note that the accuracy of your measurements and the quality of your cutting will affect the final result, so take your time and be precise.
Preparing the Lining
Once you have all of your materials gathered, it’s time to prepare the lining for your dress. To begin, measure and cut the fabric for the lining. You’ll want to measure the length and width of your dress to determine how much fabric you’ll need. Be sure to allow for any necessary seam allowances and hemming.
If you are adding a full lining that extends to the hem of the dress, you’ll want to cut the fabric to the same length as the dress. If you are only adding a partial lining that ends at the waist, you’ll want to cut the fabric to the desired length.
Once you’ve cut the fabric for the lining, you may want to hem the bottom edge. This will help to prevent the lining from fraying or unraveling over time. To hem the lining, fold the bottom edge up about 1/4-1/2 inch and press. Then, fold the hem up again, hiding the raw edge, and press again.
Pin the hem in place and sew it down using a straight stitch. It’s important to note that you don’t have to hem the lining if you don’t want to. If the fabric of your lining is unlikely to fray, or if you don’t mind a raw edge, you can skip this step.
Attaching the Lining to the Dress
Once you have prepared your lining, it’s time to attach it to the dress. There are a few different options for attaching a lining to a finished dress, depending on your preferences and the style of the dress.
Attach the lining to the waistband One option is to attach the lining to the waistband of the dress. To do this, you can either sew the lining to the inside of the waistband or baste it to the top of the skirt and treat the two layers as one when attaching the waistband. If you choose to baste the lining, be sure to remove the basting stitches once the waistband is attached.
Slipstitch the lining to the zipper edges and sew the center back seam Another option is to slipstitch the lining to the zipper edges of the dress and sew the center back seam. To do this, first slipstitch the lining to the zipper edges, taking care to keep the stitches hidden. Then, sew the center back seam of the lining, leaving a small opening for turning. Once the lining is attached, you can turn it right side out through the opening and smooth it out.
Gather the lining and sew it to the inside of the skirt A third option is to gather the top of the lining to match the fullness of the skirt and sew it to the inside of the skirt. To do this, gather the top of the lining to match the fullness of the skirt, using either a sewing machine or by hand. Then, pin the lining in place and sew it to the inside of the skirt, either by hand or with a sewing machine. Be sure to use a thread color that matches the fabric of the lining as closely as possible.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to take your time and be careful with your stitching to ensure a professional-looking finish.
Pressing and Hemming
Pressing the seams is important because it sets the stitching and gives a more polished, professional look to the dress. Also, it helps to align the lining and the dress and prevent any wrinkles or bulges in the final result.
After the lining has been attached to the dress, press the seams using an iron and ironing board. You can use a pressing cloth to protect the fabric and avoid any shine on the surface. Start by pressing the seams open, then press them to one side, making sure to follow the direction of the fabric grain.
Whether or not the bottom of the lining should be hemmed depends on the dress and personal preference. If the dress is long and the lining is visible, it is recommended to hem the bottom of the lining to give it a finished look. If the dress is short, or the lining will not be visible, it may not be necessary to hem the bottom. To hem the lining, turn up the bottom edge of the lining the desired amount and sew it in place using a sewing machine or by hand.
Finishing Touches
Once you have attached the lining to the dress, there are a few finishing touches you’ll need to take care of. First, turn the lining right side out and smooth it out. If you left an opening in the center back seam of the lining, use this opening to turn the lining right side out. Once the lining is right side out, smooth it out and arrange it neatly inside the dress.
Next, hand-stitch the opening closed. If you left an opening in the center back seam of the lining to turn it right side out, you’ll need to hand-stitch this opening closed. To do this, fold the edges of the opening inward and pin them in place. Then, using a needle and thread, hand-stitch the opening closed using small, even stitches.
Finally, press the skirt and lining to smooth out any wrinkles. Use a low heat setting and a press cloth to protect the fabric. If the fabric of your dress is prone to wrinkling, you may want to steam it instead of pressing it. Once you’ve finished these steps, your dress should be fully lined and ready to wear!
Table for Adding a Lining to a Finished Dress
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Gather materials | Collect fabric for the lining, matching thread, and sewing machine or hand-sewing supplies. |
| Prepare the lining | Measure and cut the fabric for the lining, allowing for hemming and any necessary seam allowances. Hem the bottom of the lining, if desired. |
| Attach the lining | Choose a method for attaching the lining to the dress, such as attaching it to the waistband, slip stitching it to the zipper edges, or gathering it and sewing it to the inside of the skirt. |
| Finishing touches | Turn the lining right side out and smooth it out. Hand-stitch any openings closed. Press the skirt and lining to smooth out any wrinkles. |
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions that we didn’t discuss earlier:
Yes, you can add a lining to most types of dresses. However, some dresses, such as those with complex shapes or designs, may be more challenging to line than others. If you are unsure whether your dress can be lined, it’s a good idea to consult with a seamstress or refer to a sewing pattern for guidance.
It’s important to choose the right fabric for the lining of your dress. Look for a lightweight, breathable fabric that will not add too much weight or bulk to the dress. Some good options for dress linings include silk, cotton, and polyester. Avoid heavy fabrics like wool or denim, as these will be too bulky and may not drape well.
Yes, you can add a lining to a dress with a zipper. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on the style of the dress. One option is to attach the lining to the waistband of the dress and then treat the two layers as one when attaching the zipper. Alternatively, you can slipstitch the lining to the zipper edges and sew the center back seam, leaving a small opening for turning.
It is possible to add a lining to a dress that has already been hemmed, but it may be more challenging than adding a lining to an unfinished dress. One option is to attach the lining to the waistband of the dress and allow the hem of the lining to extend below the hem of the dress. Alternatively, you can try to remove the hem of the dress and reattach it once the lining has been added. If you are not comfortable doing this, you may want to consider wearing a slip or petticoat under
Editor’s Note
It is possible to add a lining to a finished skirt. One option is to attach the lining to the waistband, either by sewing it to the inside of the waistband or by basting it to the top of the skirt and then treating the two layers as one when attaching the waistband. You could also try slip stitching the lining to the zipper edges and sewing the rest of the center back seam.
Another option is to gather the lining and sew it to the inside of the skirt, either by hand or with a sewing machine. If you are using a lightweight fabric for the lining, you may want to shirr the top of the lining to prevent it from puffing out. Alternatively, you could wear a slip or petticoat under the skirt to add some extra coverage.
Conclusion
Adding a lining to a finished dress is a simple process that can have many benefits. By following a few basic steps, you can easily add a lining to your dress to improve its drape, add warmth, or increase its opacity.
To add a lining to a finished dress, you’ll need to gather your materials, prepare the lining, and attach it to the dress. First, gather fabric for the lining, matching thread, and a sewing machine or hand-sewing supplies. Next, measure and cut the fabric for the lining, allowing for hemming and any necessary seam allowances.
Hem the bottom of the lining, if desired. Finally, attach the lining to the dress using one of several methods, such as attaching it to the waistband, slip stitching it to the zipper edges, or gathering it and sewing it to the inside of the skirt.
Once you’ve attached the lining, don’t forget the finishing touches. Turn the lining right side out and smooth it out, hand-stitch any openings closed, and press the skirt and lining to smooth out any wrinkles. By adding a lining to your finished dress, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the benefits that a lining has to offer, including improved drape, added warmth, and increased opacity.
Leave a Reply