Linen fabric guide

Linen Tunic Design with AI

For a linen tunic, most mills quote shirting linen at 110 to 170 g/m²: a classic pairing.

Of the 12 cloths this guide lists for this cut, it sits between wool challis and single jersey in weight.

Next to wool challis, it is heavier, firmer, cooler to wear and easier to care for.

Linen Tunic at a glance

Typical trade ranges, not one mill's figures: confirm them with your mill.

Typical length: 75 to 90 cm, from the high point of the shoulder
Defining details: Side slits, split neck, long or three-quarter sleeves, hip to thigh length
Cloth needed: about 1.6 to 2.2 m of 150 cm cloth, roughly $17 to $72 of cloth at typical prices

Typical figures for an adult size M. The pattern tier is set from the real piece count when you order.

On a tunic it stands slightly away from the body, so collars and cuffs hold their shape and a boxy cut stays boxy.

Cut long, a crisp cloth builds volume, the more so with every gore or pleat.

It wears cool, which makes it a spring and summer fabric.

Care is simple: a machine wash at 30 to 40 °C.

It creases quickly and visibly, which is part of its character; a blend with viscose or cotton creases less.

Linen is spun from the flax plant, one of the oldest textile fibres. It is strong, cool to wear and crisp at first, softening with every wash.

Most European flax is grown in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, then spun and woven in Europe or in China.

It is usually left unlined in summer pieces; a tailored linen jacket takes a half lining at most.

A 70/10 to 80/12 needle; it frays, so finish seams with an overlock or French seams, and press while damp.

It takes dye well but softly, so colors read slightly washed, which is part of its look.

Its surface is matte, so it photographs evenly under flat light.

A tunic in shirting linen, 110 to 170 g/m², with a crisp drape and a matte surface, for spring and summer.