Removing the lining from knit skirts?

Mander

As thoughts turn to fall, I've been thinking about a couple of knit pencil skirts I bought last year but didn't wear very much. The trouble with them is that while they are made from soft, stretchy knit, they are both lined with standard non-stretchy lining stuff. They end up feeling constricting and uncomfortable.

Would it be crazy for me to take the lining out? Aside from the issue of re-sewing the seams as appropriate, which I can do, is there any particular structural reason why I need the lining?

13 years ago

Dressing

5 replies

Latest reply was from Vildy

Vildy

Veteran

There's no reason you can't remove a lining by clipping very close to the seamline.
Not as aesthetic, so it matters if you care. If you actually open the side seams - it it's interlined that way - you need to be able to sew knits in order to get it back together without rippling. (more stitches per inch, looser tension, push fabric slightly toward needle)

Then, in order to prevent the skirt from seating out, you will need to go get a taffeta type slip to wear with it and take the strain. So I can't see it profits you to remove the lining.

13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Vildy nailed it. The lining gives structure under the garment so that the knit can maintain its shape. Without it you may end up with a lump of shapeless yet luxuriously soft knit fabric.

13 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

You might want to ask this over at Pattern Review. They might know of an alternative lining fabric than what you have. If there's a walking restriction, you can put a slit, a higher slit into the lining. Reinforce well at the top because this kind of slit tends to start ripping upwards to give more freedom.

13 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I think it's mostly that the lining seems to be a smaller size than the skirts, if that makes sense. When I sit down I suddenly feel like I'm wearing too-tight jeans, even though there is plenty of slack in the knit layer.

13 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

Short of relining in a different size, it might work if you only cut out the lining on the front side of the skirt. what you mostly want is to prevent an impression of your backside forming after you are seated for a period of time. Keeping a back lining might prevent that and also feel far less constricting.

13 years ago

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