What Is Interlining? Types, Applications and more

What Is Interlining?

Interlining refers to a layer of fabric that is placed between two layers of outer fabric in clothing or other textile products. Its primary purpose is to provide structure, support, and enhancement to the overall material. It is commonly used in garments such as coats, suits, and jackets to maintain shape and give a polished finish. The interlining helps garments maintain their form, resist wrinkles, and provide comfort to the wearer.

Types of Interlining

There are different types of interlining available, each serving a unique purpose:

      Fusible Interlining: This type of interlining has an adhesive layer that bonds with the outer fabric when heat is applied. Fusible interlinings are commonly used for items that need extra stiffness, such as collars or cuffs, and provide a durable, clean finish.

      Non-fusible Interlining: Unlike fusible interlinings, these do not have an adhesive layer. Instead, they are stitched or tacked onto the outer fabric. This type is often used for garments requiring a softer or more flexible finish, such as skirts or blouses.

      Woven Interlining: Made from a woven fabric, this interlining provides structure while maintaining breathability and comfort. Woven interlinings are commonly used in high-end garments and are often chosen for their ability to mimic the drape and texture of the outer fabric.

      Non-woven Interlining: This type is made by bonding fibers together through heat or mechanical methods. Non-woven interlining is often chosen for its lightweight, affordable nature and its ability to provide a soft feel.

Knitted Interlining: Knitted interlining is flexible and stretchable, making it ideal for garments that require elasticity, such as activewear or fitted dresses. It adapts to the shape of the garment and provides a soft, comfortable fit.

Functions of Interlining

The main functions of interlining are:

      Structure and Stiffness: Interlining is often used to add rigidity and structure to garments like collars, cuffs, waistbands, and lapels. This helps maintain a sharp, tailored look.

      Heat Insulation: Some interlinings are designed to provide insulation, making them suitable for outerwear such as jackets and coats. They help to keep the wearer warm by trapping air between the layers of fabric.

      Shape Retention: Interlining helps prevent garments from losing their shape, especially after repeated washing or wearing. It adds durability and ensures that the garment maintains its intended silhouette.

      Smooth Finish: In addition to structure, interlining can smooth out the texture of the outer fabric, preventing wrinkles or creases from forming.

Enhancing Draping and Movement: Interlining can also influence how a fabric drapes, ensuring that the garment moves naturally and comfortably with the wearer's body.

What is the Purpose of Interlining?

1. Provides Structure and Shape

One of the main purposes of interlining is to provide structure to garments, particularly in areas like collars, cuffs, waistbands, and lapels. These parts of the garment need to maintain a sharp and crisp appearance, and without interlining, they would often look limp and lack definition. By adding interlining, manufacturers ensure that these sections of the garment hold their shape, giving the overall design a polished and tailored look. This is especially crucial for formal or structured garments, such as blazers, suits, and coats, where the clean lines and well-defined shapes are vital to the garment's aesthetics.

2. Improves Durability and Longevity

Interlining plays a significant role in enhancing the durability of garments. By reinforcing key areas of the garment, interlining helps prevent fabric from sagging, stretching, or losing its shape over time. Garments constructed with interlining are more likely to withstand regular wear and tear, offering improved longevity compared to those made with unlined or lightly reinforced fabrics. This added strength ensures that the garment maintains its form and appearance for a longer period, making it a good investment in both high-quality and everyday clothing.

3. Adds Comfort and Softness

While the primary purpose of interlining is to provide structure, it also serves to enhance the comfort of the garment. Interlining adds a layer between the outer fabric and the inner lining, which can make the garment feel softer and more comfortable against the skin. This is particularly important for outerwear and tailored pieces where the fabric may otherwise feel harsh or stiff. By introducing a layer of interlining, designers can ensure that their garments feel pleasant to wear, even during prolonged periods.

4. Facilitates Insulation and Warmth

In outerwear and cold-weather garments, interlining is often used to improve the thermal insulation of the garment. Certain types of interlining materials are designed to trap air between layers of fabric, effectively creating a barrier against the cold. This helps to keep the wearer warm and comfortable in chilly conditions. Jackets, coats, and other winter wear benefit from interlining's ability to add warmth without increasing the weight or bulk of the garment, ensuring comfort and flexibility.

5. Prevents Wrinkling and Creasing

Interlining is also used to maintain a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance in garments. Fabrics that are prone to creasing or wrinkling can benefit from the added stiffness and support of interlining, which helps the garment maintain a crisp, freshly pressed look. This is particularly valuable for garments worn in professional settings, such as business suits or dress shirts, where a polished appearance is essential. By preventing wrinkles and creases, interlining contributes to a garment’s overall neatness and helps it remain presentable throughout the day.

6. Enhances Draping and Movement

Another key purpose of interlining is to influence how fabric drapes and moves. The right interlining can help ensure that a garment flows naturally and gracefully, contributing to a flattering silhouette. For example, interlining can provide the necessary weight and structure to a dress, skirt, or coat to ensure that it hangs well on the body and moves smoothly with the wearer. In garments like formal dresses or gowns, the ability to enhance the fabric’s drape can make a significant difference in achieving the desired elegance and fluidity of movement.

7. Supports Design Features and Details

Interlining is essential for supporting specific design features in garments. Elements such as pleats, folds, and darts rely on interlining to hold their shape and remain intact during wear. For instance, pleated skirts or dresses need interlining to ensure the pleats remain sharp and defined. Similarly, interlining helps stabilize intricate design features in tailored garments like suits, ensuring that every detail maintains its intended form. Without interlining, such details would risk losing their crispness, resulting in a less professional or finished look.

8. Improves Fabric Performance

In some cases, interlining is used to enhance the performance of a fabric. For example, interlining can provide additional rigidity to a fabric that is too soft or flimsy on its own. This can be particularly important in high-end garment construction, where the quality of the fabric is a major factor in the overall look and feel of the piece. The addition of interlining allows designers to work with a broader range of fabrics, giving them the flexibility to choose the best materials for their designs without compromising on performance.

Why Is Interlining Important in Garment Construction?

Interlining plays a vital role in garment construction, offering numerous benefits that enhance both the appearance and functionality of clothing. It is a foundational material that, while often unseen, significantly impacts the overall quality and performance of garments. By providing structure, support, and flexibility, interlining ensures that garments are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and comfortable. Here’s why interlining is so crucial in garment construction:

1. Adds Structure and Shape

One of the primary functions of interlining is to add structure to a garment, particularly in areas that require extra reinforcement, such as collars, cuffs, waistbands, and lapels. Without interlining, these areas would lose their sharpness and crispness, resulting in a saggy or flimsy appearance. By giving these parts of the garment a firm, well-defined shape, interlining ensures that the garment maintains a polished, professional look. This is especially important for tailored garments like suits, coats, and formal dresses, where precise lines and clean finishes are essential.

2. Enhances Durability and Longevity

Interlining contributes to the durability of garments by helping them retain their form even after prolonged use. It provides additional strength to areas that are subjected to wear and tear, such as the seams and edges. As a result, garments constructed with interlining tend to last longer and maintain their shape over time, even after multiple washes or frequent use. This longevity is especially important for high-investment clothing items, like outerwear or tailored business attire.

3. Improves Comfort and Fit

While interlining is primarily used for structural purposes, it also plays a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and fit of garments. By adding a layer of softness between the outer fabric and the lining, interlining creates a buffer that can make a garment feel more comfortable against the skin. In addition, the right interlining can contribute to a garment's overall fit by allowing it to conform more closely to the wearer’s body shape. This is particularly important in fitted garments like jackets and blazers, where comfort and a perfect fit are key to achieving a stylish and flattering silhouette.

4. Helps with Insulation and Warmth

In outerwear, interlining can serve an important functional role by providing insulation and warmth. Some types of interlining materials are designed to trap heat, which is particularly valuable for coats, jackets, and other winter garments. These insulating properties help keep the wearer comfortable in colder climates. Even in lighter garments, interlining can offer a degree of heat retention, enhancing the garment's ability to perform in various weather conditions.

5. Prevents Wrinkling and Maintains Freshness

Interlining helps garments resist wrinkles and creases, maintaining a smooth and fresh appearance throughout the day. This is particularly beneficial for fabrics that tend to wrinkle easily, such as lightweight cottons or silks. With the right interlining, garments are less likely to lose their crispness and can look freshly pressed even after extended periods of wear. This is an essential quality for garments that need to remain neat and professional-looking, such as business attire or formal wear.

6. Enhances Draping and Movement

The right interlining helps improve how a fabric drapes and moves with the wearer. For example, interlining can contribute to the fluidity of a dress or skirt, ensuring that it flows elegantly with the wearer's movements. By selecting an appropriate interlining, designers can control how a fabric behaves, whether they want a soft, flowing effect or a more structured, tailored look. This makes interlining an essential tool in ensuring that a garment not only fits well but also moves naturally with the body.

7. Provides Support for Design Elements

In garment construction, interlining provides the support necessary for certain design features, such as pleats, folds, and darts. These design elements rely on a stable base to maintain their shape, and interlining ensures that these features are held in place without collapsing or losing their intended form. Whether it's a pleated skirt or a sharply tailored coat, interlining helps to bring the designer's vision to life by providing the support needed for intricate and detailed construction.

What's the Difference Between Interlining and Lining?

Interlining and lining are both essential components in garment construction, but they serve different purposes and are used in distinct ways. Understanding the difference between these two elements is crucial for creating garments that are functional, comfortable, and visually appealing. Below, we will explore the definitions, purposes, and key distinctions between interlining and lining in the context of fashion and apparel design.

1. Definition of Interlining

Interlining is a layer of material placed between the outer fabric and the lining in a garment. It is typically used to provide structure, support, and shape to specific parts of the garment, such as collars, cuffs, waistbands, and lapels. Interlining adds firmness and body to these areas, helping them maintain their shape over time. Interlining can come in various forms, including fusible (with adhesive) and non-fusible (requiring stitching or tacking). Its primary purpose is to enhance the garment's fit, durability, and appearance.

2. Definition of Lining

Lining, on the other hand, is a fabric that is sewn into the inside of a garment, covering the inner seams, raw edges, and internal structure. Lining serves several functions, including improving the comfort of the garment by preventing rough edges from coming into contact with the skin. It also helps the garment maintain its shape by supporting the outer fabric, and it gives the garment a smooth, finished look. Additionally, lining makes it easier for the garment to slide on and off the body, particularly for items like coats, jackets, and skirts.

3. Key Differences in Purpose

The primary difference in purpose lies in the roles each component plays in the overall garment construction:

Interlining: Primarily used to provide structure, shape, and support to specific areas of a garment. It is often used in parts of a garment that need to maintain a crisp or tailored appearance, such as collars, cuffs, and lapels. Interlining helps reinforce the garment to ensure it holds its form and can withstand regular wear and tear.

Lining: Mainly used to cover the interior of a garment and create a smooth, comfortable finish. It protects the fabric from friction with the skin and allows the garment to be worn more comfortably. Lining also adds an element of luxury to garments, especially when high-quality materials are used. While it also helps maintain the garment's shape, its primary function is aesthetic and practical in terms of comfort and usability.

4. Material Differences

Interlining is generally made from more rigid materials compared to lining. It can be made of a variety of fibers, such as cotton, polyester, or nylon, and may have a coating or adhesive to bond with the outer fabric. Interlining materials can vary in thickness, stiffness, and weight, depending on the desired structure and function of the garment.

Lining, however, is typically made from softer, lighter fabrics like silk, satin, polyester, or acetate. The goal is to create a smooth surface inside the garment that feels soft against the skin and allows the garment to move easily. Lining materials are usually chosen for their comfort, drape, and ability to complement the outer fabric.

5. Placement in Garment Construction

Interlining is typically placed between the outer fabric and lining or within specific areas of the garment (such as the collar or waistband). It is usually applied to areas that require additional support, structure, or insulation.

Lining, on the other hand, is sewn into the entire inside of the garment, covering the internal seams and raw edges. It is usually attached to the edges of the garment, ensuring a neat and clean finish while providing comfort to the wearer.

6. Visual Impact

While interlining has a more functional role, it can also impact the overall appearance of the garment. When used in areas like collars or cuffs, interlining can help maintain the sharp, crisp look of the garment. However, it is generally hidden from view once the garment is completed.

Lining, being visible on the inside of the garment, can have an aesthetic impact. It can be chosen in colors or patterns that complement or contrast with the outer fabric, providing a luxurious or stylish finishing touch. High-end garments often feature lining made from silk or satin, which adds to the overall quality and appearance.

7. Durability

Interlining plays a significant role in the durability of the garment by reinforcing critical areas that are prone to wear and tear. It helps ensure that the garment retains its shape and structure even after extensive use.

Lining contributes to the durability of the garment by protecting the inner seams and adding an extra layer of fabric. However, it is generally more delicate than interlining and may not provide as much support to the garment’s structure.

Summary Table

How to Choose the Right Interlining for Different Fabrics?

Choosing the right interlining for different fabrics is essential to achieving the desired look, feel, and functionality in garment construction. Interlining plays a critical role in shaping a garment, adding structure, and enhancing its overall appearance and durability. However, not all interlinings are suited for every fabric. The right interlining will complement the characteristics of the fabric, enhance its performance, and ensure that the finished garment looks polished and maintains its shape over time.

Here's a guide on how to select the appropriate interlining for various fabrics:

1. Understanding Fabric Characteristics

Before selecting interlining, it's important to consider the characteristics of the fabric you are working with. Different fabrics have varying weights, textures, and drape, which influence how they behave when worn and how they should be constructed. For instance, lightweight fabrics like silk or chiffon require different interlining choices compared to heavier fabrics like wool or denim.

2. Choosing Interlining for Lightweight Fabrics

Lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, and silk are often delicate and flowy, requiring a soft and flexible interlining. Using a heavy or stiff interlining on these fabrics would create an unnatural, bulky appearance. For such fabrics, a lightweight, non-fusible interlining is typically recommended. Non-woven interlining made from soft, breathable fibers will maintain the fabric's lightness while offering some support. Additionally, fusible interlining with a lightweight adhesive backing can also be used for specific areas that require a bit more stiffness without overwhelming the fabric's drape.

Recommended Interlining for Lightweight Fabrics:

      Soft, non-woven fusible or non-fusible interlinings.

      Lightweight cotton or polyester blends.

      Flexible, breathable materials that complement the soft drape of the fabric.

3. Choosing Interlining for Medium-Weight Fabrics

Medium-weight fabrics like cotton, linen, and polyester blends offer more structure than lightweight fabrics but still maintain a degree of flexibility. These fabrics can benefit from both fusible and non-fusible interlinings depending on the specific needs of the garment. For instance, jackets or shirts made from cotton or linen may need a bit of added structure in the collar, cuffs, or waistband areas, making a medium-weight fusible interlining a great option. Non-fusible interlinings can also be used to maintain a natural flow without making the fabric too stiff.

Recommended Interlining for Medium-Weight Fabrics:

      Fusible interlining for added structure, especially for collars, cuffs, and waistbands.

      Non-fusible interlining for a softer finish without compromising flexibility.

      Woven or knitted interlining to complement the fabric's natural feel.

4. Choosing Interlining for Heavyweight Fabrics

Heavier fabrics like wool, denim, and tweed require more substantial interlining to provide structure and shape. In these cases, a heavier, fusible interlining is usually the best option. Fusible interlining helps ensure that the garment holds its shape, especially in tailored pieces like coats, blazers, and jackets. The interlining should also match the weight and texture of the outer fabric, offering enough support to maintain the garment’s structure while not making it overly stiff or uncomfortable.

Recommended Interlining for Heavyweight Fabrics:

      Heavy fusible interlining with strong adhesive properties for structure.

      Non-woven or woven interlining that can withstand the weight of the fabric.

      Interlining that provides support to heavy fabrics while allowing for comfort and movement.

5. Choosing Interlining for Stretch Fabrics

Stretch fabrics such as jersey, spandex, and knit fabrics need interlining that won’t interfere with the fabric’s natural elasticity. A stretchable, knitted interlining is ideal for garments made from these materials, as it allows the fabric to retain its stretch while providing structure and support. Non-fusible, knitted interlining is often the preferred choice for stretch fabrics, as it moves with the fabric without restricting its flexibility.

Recommended Interlining for Stretch Fabrics:

      Knitted interlining that is both flexible and supportive.

      Non-fusible interlining to preserve the fabric’s stretch and drape.

      Lightweight, breathable materials that offer gentle structure.

6. Choosing Interlining for Coats and Outerwear

When creating coats or outerwear, interlining plays an important role in providing insulation, warmth, and a structured fit. Heavier, fusible interlining with thermal properties is ideal for these garments, as it can add bulk without sacrificing comfort. For outerwear made from fabrics like wool or tweed, interlining helps maintain the shape of the garment, providing structure in areas like collars and cuffs while enhancing the overall durability.

Recommended Interlining for Outerwear:

      Fusible interlining with insulating properties for added warmth.

      Woven interlining that provides shape without being too bulky.

      Heavyweight non-woven interlining for structure and durability.

7. Considering the Finish and Comfort

The finish and comfort of the garment are critical factors in selecting the right interlining. While structure is important, it’s essential that the interlining doesn’t compromise the comfort of the wearer. Choose interlining materials that complement the outer fabric and contribute to a comfortable, smooth interior. For example, when working with delicate fabrics or garments worn close to the skin, such as shirts or dresses, soft, lightweight interlining will provide the necessary structure without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.

Selecting the right interlining is crucial for achieving a garment that not only looks good but also performs well. By considering the weight, texture, and intended use of the fabric, you can choose an interlining that enhances the garment's structure, durability, comfort, and appearance. Whether you’re working with lightweight silks, medium-weight cottons, or heavy wool, there's an interlining solution to match the unique needs of each fabric.

For manufacturers and designers seeking high-quality interlining solutions, Jiaxing Rainbow Interlining Co., Ltd. offers a wide range of interlining products that cater to various fabrics, ensuring that every garment is crafted to perfection.