Linen Review + A Hallon Dress in Hunter Green
Now that Joann’s has closed (aaaahhhh), I’ve been extra motivated to explore other fabric sources for garment sewing. So when Fabric Wholesale Direct reached out and asked if I’d like to try some of their fabric, I jumped at the chance! After browsing their site for a bit, I figured the best way to get a feel for their quality was to start with a fiber I know well - so naturally, I headed straight for the linen section.
Linen quality can vary wildly. Sometimes you order a yard online and it feels like it was woven from shredded straw! So when I saw the Yorkshire 100% Linen for $14.99/yard, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Happily, I was very pleasantly surprised! This linen is thick, soft, and has such beautiful depth of color. Of course, I went with hunter green (I can’t resist a good moody green). You can see the light shining through it if you hold it up, but when worn it’s not sheer at all!
I decided to turn it into another Hallon Dress by Paradise Patterns. This pattern is one of my tried-and-true favorites; the first one I made has been my go-to dress on hot summer days. It’s quick, easy, and oh-so-airy. And now that it’s fall, I’m pairing it with a cozy sweater and boots to stay comfortable but cozy.
Now, let’s talk prewashing. I’ll admit, I don’t always prewash quilting cotton, but when it comes to garments? Always. Linen shrinks and softens with washing, and you want it to do all of that before you cut into it.
This particular linen shed a lot in the dryer. Like… it basically created a small dog version of itself. Don’t be alarmed—this is totally normal for the first wash. The loose fibers are just working themselves free as the weave relaxes. The reward is worth it: when I pulled it out of the dryer, it was so soft. And the drape is just really perfect; it flows so nicely!
Once pressed and prepped, it was a dream to sew. I serged all my edges with my ancient EA-605 Babylock serger (a solid metal beast from 1971) and haven’t had any issues with fraying since. And of course I added pockets (But forgot to top stitch them before photos, oops!
All in all, this Yorkshire linen has totally won me over. For $14.99/yard, it’s a great option—and the perfect balance of structure and softness. If you’ve been on the fence about trying linen, this one’s a fantastic place to start.