Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2011 Successor	Dec. 29, 2012 Successor	Sep. 29, 2012 Successor	Jun. 30, 2012 Successor	Mar. 31, 2012 Successor	Dec. 31, 2011 Successor	Oct. 01, 2011 Successor	Jul. 02, 2011 Successor	Dec. 31, 2011 Successor	Dec. 29, 2012 Successor	Jan. 28, 2011 Predecessor	Jan. 01, 2011 Predecessor
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 199,037	$ 273,651	$ 290,097	$ 296,244	$ 295,171	$ 291,937	$ 315,498	$ 296,457	$ 1,102,929	$ 1,155,163	$ 84,606	$ 1,106,211
Gross profit	24,708	45,666	51,974	46,419	53,187	48,097	48,989	48,612	170,406	197,246	16,075	209,892
Net income (loss)	(36,104)	(15,033)	1,354	(12,094)	(265)	(21,421)	(9,188)	(9,399)	(76,112)	(26,038)	(18,120)	11,030
Net income (loss) attributable to Polymer Group, Inc	$ (36,163)					$ (21,421)	$ (9,188)	$ (9,399)	$ (76,171)	$ (26,038)	$ (18,203)	$ 10,407