We’ve brought a new range of 100% linen into Main Fabric, and it’s safe to say we’re obsessed.
The Nisa Softened Linen from Mind the Maker is a premium, natural fibre textile perfect for your extra-special, keep-it-forever and wear-it-often future heirlooms. But keen-eyed shoppers may notice that this isn’t our only all-linen offering. What sets the Nisa Softened Linen apart from the Main Linen that has been a staple of the store from the beginning? And how do you know which to pick for your next make?
We at Main Fabric are here to help you figure it all out.
The Fibre
Both the Nisa Softened Linen — NSL from here on out — and the Main Linen (ML) are 100% linen. It’s an all-natural fibre made from the flax plant, which requires far less water to grow than cotton. It’s an excellent eco-friendly choice and it’s super durable too.
Farmers in Europe grow the flax for both fabrics without pesticides or irrigation. It’s a win for the farmers and for the planet.
The Weight
Both the NSL and ML are solidly mid-weight. The NSL comes in at 5.3 oz per yard (or 180 grams per square metre), while the ML is a touch lighter weight at 4.8 oz or 165 gsm. In both cases they are lighter than you might want for a sturdy pair of trousers, but they make some beautiful relaxed pants — in addition to myriad other uses that we’ll get to later!
Though similar in weight — and identical in composition — there are also some major differences between these two fabrics. That’s where the texture comes in.
The Texture
The NSL feels thinner than the ML, which combined with its heavier weight suggests finer threads and a higher thread count. All together, it has a smoother, flatter finish than the ML that makes it perfect for your dressier linen looks (though it of course still has some of linen’s rumpled charm).
It’s also a bit softer than the ML straight off the bolt, but one of linen’s many virtues is that it keeps getting softer the more you wash it.
And just because the NSL is smoother, doesn’t mean ML’s texture is a write-off. It has an antique washed finish, which gives it a unique feel. ML also has more slubs than the NSL — slight thickening of the woven thread that are characteristic of all linen. In other words, it’s a slightly “linen-ier” looking linen. Perfect for leaning in to the casual vibe and showing off your impeccable taste in natural fibres.
The Drape
Both the NSL and the ML have a beautiful soft, slightly bouncy drape. Perfect for dresses and skirts, beachside button-ups, floaty blouses and more.
The Wrinkles
Love it or hate it, linen will always wrinkle — and that’s true of the NSL and ML too. Straight out of the dryer, the NSL is a little less wrinkled than the ML, but it will crease with wear just like any other linen. And just for the record, we kind of love it.
The Price
There’s no getting around it, the NSL is pricier than the ML. Clocking in at $27 per half metre, the NSL is a little more than 50% more expensive than the $16/half metre ML.
There are a few reasons for that, including the higher thread-count and certified organic flax used in its manufacturing. We think it’s worth saving up for, but less experienced sewists may feel more comfortable starting out with the ML.
The Conclusion
We love both the Main Linen and Nisa Softened Linen — we wouldn’t sell them otherwise! Ultimately, they can be used interchangeably, depending on the look you’re going for and the colour you want. And if you’re still having trouble deciding whether the NSL is right for you, come into the shop and feel both in person or shoot us an e-mail and we’ll help you decide which is the right choice for your project!
And if you’re looking for inspo, here are some of our favourite patterns to use with these gorgeous linens.
Capstone Pattern Company’s Hemlock Top/Dress goes with Main Linen like peanut butter and jelly — or cheese and crackers, if you’re allergic to peanuts, or strawberry and banana if you’re lactose intolerant. You get the point.
We’ve seen many of this gorgeous pattern sewn up in our classic linen, and you can’t improve on perfection.
Show off the beautiful drape of the Nisa Softened Linen with the Florence Dress (or shirt, if you’re looking for a slightly more affordable fix) by Merchant & Mills. The high-low gathers highlight the fabric’s slight bounce perfectly.
Lastly, Friday Pattern Co. Saltwater Slip is one of our favourite patterns, and it would be stunning in either the NSL or ML. Use the pricier fabric for a slightly more formal piece, or juxtapose the slinky silhouette with the slubs of the ML for a fun casual moment.
Comment below on how you like to use the Main Linen or the Nisa Softened Linen - which do you prefer?
This blog post was written by Nicole Thompson. Nicole is a member at Main Fabric and avid sewer. She can often be found at Open Sew greeting and offering advice to new members. You can follow Nicole and her makes @nicolesewsandthrifts.