Thread: Do I need a second interior lining?

I've been working on this great brown and pink costume and I am almost ready to line this bad girl. I built the base using EZ Felt and aida cloth and I sewed everything through both layers (mostly). Now that I am done with the embellishments, I am wondering if I should add an extra protective layer between the aida cloth and the cotton liner that will go inside the costume. And if I do add a protective layer, what should it be made out of? Felt (flexible felt, not EZ Felt)? Broadcloth or canvas? Something else?

Here are some pics, so you can visualize it:




When I refurbished the blue and gold costume, I used a layer of felt as an interior liner, because the base I had was kind of weak and there was so much thread rot, I wanted to avoid more. However, since this costume has a thicker base, I'm afraid it might make it too bulky. I hate bulky costumes.

Blue and gold interior lining:

Blue and gold exterior lining:

I don't think you need two linings Andalee. I'd go with just one in cotton. I used to line my costumes with felt and though it wore well, it was uncomfortable when it was hot and a little bit scratchy. Now I just use simple cotton.

Do you like costume pieces that are very firm? Some folks do and some don't.

Do you have sweating issues where an extra layer for absorption would be useful?

Does the costume feel unstable now, or is there a concern it could warp out of shape or need more "body" after it's been worn a while?

Do you need more thickness to prevent poke-through of whatever's under the costume? (This is probably more of an issue with the bra than the belt, but those cups look dense enough to prevent this.)

Do you need filler to take up some of the costume's extra size?

If all of these questions are answered "no," then you probably don't need the extra layer.