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!
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.
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
Hello, I’m interested in the Belgium linen for reupholstering a chaise longue. Is the fabric fire retardant? Have been advised to get fire retardant fabric by the upholster to ensure quality. Also, are there any other suitable fabric types you could recommend? Many thanks, Hannah
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for your interest in our Belgian Linen for your reupholstering project. Like most textiles, Spoonflower fabric will burn if exposed to flame or direct heat. Our fabrics have not been treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
For upholstery, we’d recommend looking into our Recycled Canvas, Cypress Cotton Canvas, Celosia Velvet, Performance Velvet, along with Belgian Linen. You can check out all our fabric options and order a sample pack here.
Best of luck with your project!
Amy
Spoonflower
hello. How much shrinkage happens when washing Belgian Linen for reupholstering a settee. I would like a really
lived in look so will probably wash it 4 times before reupholstering. If I need to purchase 3 yards, how many yards would you suggest after shrinkage.
Thanks kindly.
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your interest in our newest fabric! Most, if not all, shrinkage generally occurs after one wash. The amount of shrinkage depends on a number of factors including how much ink is printed on each yard. Belgian Linen has a shrinkage rate of 9-11% in length and 3-5% in width. Purchasing 3 yards (108″ x 54″) and washing it could result in your fabric shrinking to 96″ x 51″. If that size will not allow you to complete your project you may need to add an additional yard. We hope that helps, but please let us know if you have any further questions.
Take care,
Amy
Spoonflower