Calling all makers and interior designers! We’ve found the answer to your upholstery, bag making and home decor search: Belgian Linen™️. Featuring the finest flax in the world, grown ecologically in the Flanders region and woven by Libeco™, 100% Belgian Linen™️ has a reputation for unmatched elegance that has withstood the test of time. Keep reading to learn how to prep, care for and use this medium-weight linen fabric for your next project.

Say Hello to Belgian Linen™️

Printable width: 54″ (145 cm)

Weight: 9.8 oz per square yard

Content: 100% Linen

Construction: Woven, Plain Weave

Needle type: Universal denim/Jeans

Belgian Linen™️ Sewing Recommendations

When sewing the seams of projects using Belgian Linen™️ we recommend using 90/14 or 100/16 universal needles with high quality polyester all-purpose thread. The fabric has a slight ‘give,’ which makes it less prone to breakage. For topstitching, a buttonhole twist or topstitching thread as the upper thread with regular thread in the bobbin will give beautiful results. For standard seams, use a 2.5 mm stitch length.

Linen is prone to fraying so you will want to finish the edge with a zig-zag stitch or serger. Want to level up your sewing game? Try a flat-felled seam or bias-bound edge! Alternately, a no-sew finish option to finish seams is using pinking shears. If you are going the pre-wash route, we recommend serging or stay-stitching 1/4″-1/2″ from the cut edge.

Speaking of washing your fabric, keep reading to find out when it’s ok to skip a pre-wash!

Belgian Linen stack | Spoonflower Blog

When to Pre-Wash Belgian Linen™️

The decision to prewash your Belgian Linen™️ is going to depend on the planned final product. Are you working on a crisp tailored pillow or adding soft textural curtain layers? 

For a more sharp, crisp project: do not prewash your fabric. However, you will need to plan to dry clean the finished project if it needs to be washed. Home decor projects or accessories like bags do not need to be pre-washed. For extra wrinkle resistance, consider underlining your fabric. There are multiple options ranging from a lightweight cotton to silk organza to fusible tricot interfacing.

For a softer linen: prewash your yardage. The finished project will have the added option of machine washability. Don’t overpack your washing machine since linen absorbs quite a bit of water. Machine dry your fabric, removing it while still slightly damp. Pressing thoroughly while very slightly damp will help with wrinkles while also further softening the fabric. We always recommend pre-washing fabric that will be sewn into a garment.

Tracey Hairston sits at her dining room table with chairs reupholstered in Belgian Linen. A large circular mirror is to her left and plants and artwork align the wall to the right.
Tracey Hairston in her dining room with chairs reupholstered in Belgian Linen™️. Featured design: Terracotta Floral in Gouache Large by daria_nokso

Cutting Belgian Linen™️

Cut with care! Belgian Linen™️’s open weave, which keeps it from looking and feeling heavy, also means the fabric can shift when being cut. Take extra care when laying out your fabric to keep the grain and cross grain straight.

Belgian Linen™️ Care Instructions

Machine wash warm or cool on a gentle/delicate setting or dry clean. Machine dry on a low temperature setting. The maximum temperature for both wash and dry cycles is 100°F (38°C). To prevent wrinkling, it is suggested to not fully dry the linen during laundering. Iron on the reverse side of the fabric with steam to help soften. Do not bleach.

Belgian Linen™️ DIY Projects