38gsm Nylon Base Fabric — Lightweight Smooth Backing for Embroidery and Lining | 63"

38gsm nylon base fabric. Smooth to the touch, lightweight. Matte finish — no shine, no sparkle. It's a couple grams heavier than our 36gsm silver thread version, and those two extra grams make a difference — it feels more stable in your hand, not floaty like some ultralight backings. 63 inches wide, 16 yards per kilo.

It holds up fine as a backing. The nylon yarn has enough strength — normal cutting and sewing won't tear it or fray the edges. Needles go through smoothly, no catching or skipping. When you hoop it up for machine embroidery, it stays put and doesn't wander around. Wash it after and it won't shrink or lose its shape. Comes out looking the same.

Embroidery backing, lace base, bridal and evening wear linings. When you're running machine embroidery and need a stable backing that won't compete with your stitching, use this. As a lining for bridal pieces, it's light and smooth — hides inside the garment and won't show through to the face. If you want a bit of shimmer, we have the 36gsm silver thread version. If you want a matte workhorse that just does its job, this is the one.

1. How is this different from your 36gsm silver thread base fabric?

The 36gsm has a silver thread woven in — it gives off a subtle pinpoint sparkle. This one is completely matte, no metallic yarn at all. It's also a touch heavier at 38gsm, which makes it a bit more stable under the needle. If you want a quiet backing that does its job without drawing any attention, pick this one. If you want a hint of shimmer behind your embroidery, go with the silver thread version.

2. Can I use this for machine embroidery? Will the needle punch through easily?

Yes, it works well. The weave is even and stable, so the fabric sits tight on the hoop without shifting. Needles pass through smoothly without snagging or tearing the yarn. At 38gsm it's got just enough body to hold stitches cleanly without being thick or stiff. Use a standard embroidery needle — nothing fancy required.

3. Is it see-through? Can I use it as a garment lining?

It's sheer but not completely transparent. As a backing layer, it won't show through to the face of the garment. As a lining for lightweight dresses or bridal pieces, it works fine — smooth, soft, and disappears inside the finished piece. If you need something totally opaque, you'll want a heavier fabric. This one is about being invisible, not about coverage.

4. Does it shrink or lose its shape after washing?

No. The nylon yarn is pre-set, so it holds its dimensions through washing and wearing. It won't shrink, won't warp, won't pull out of shape. If you're using it as a backing for embroidered pieces that need to be washed, it'll stay stable and keep the stitching looking clean.

5. Can I dye this fabric? Or do you offer custom colors?

It takes dye well. Nylon absorbs dye evenly, so you can color-match to your project. We stock it in its natural base color, but custom dyeing is available on bulk orders. Tell us what color you're after, and we'll sort it out.