Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	POLYMER GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000927417
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 28, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000