Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event On January 27, 2014, the Company announced that PGI Polímeros do Brazil, a Brazilian corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("PGI Acquisition Company."), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Companhia Providência Indústria e Comércio, a Brazilian corporation ("Providência") and certain shareholders named therein. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, PGI Acquisition Company will acquire a 71% controlling interest in Providência (the “Potential Acquisition”). Following the closing of the Potential Acquisition, pursuant to Brazilian Corporation Law and Providência’s Bylaws, PGI Acquisition Company will be required to launch a tender offer on substantially the same terms and conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire the remaining outstanding capital stock of Providência from the minority shareholders (the “Mandatory Tender Offer”). The Company expects to fund the Potential Acquisition and the Mandatory Tender Offer with new secured and/or unsecured debt. The Company has obtained approximately $570.0 million of financing commitments from lenders in connection with the Potential Acquisition. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the Potential Acquisition by antitrust authorities. Providência is a leading manufacturer of nonwovens primarily used in hygiene applications as well as industrial and healthcare applications. Based in Brazil, Providência has four locations, including one in the United States. On March 7, 2014, the Board of Directors of Polymer Group, Inc. (the “Company”) announced its intention for the Company to exit the European roofing business in an effort to optimize the Company’s portfolio. The Company will comply with all legal obligations associated with this expressed intention. The plan could include (1) the possible shutdown of two manufacturing lines at the Company’s Berlin, Germany manufacturing facility; (2) the possible closure of the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Aschersleben, Germany with the consolidation of its converting activities to Berlin and (3) possible workforce reductions at both facilities. The Company expects that the restructuring will be substantially complete by the end of 2014, subject to compliance with its legal obligations and any associated impacts on timing. Total cash restructuring costs for the exit plan (including both facilities) are expected to be within the range of €5.2 million to €6.5 million. Of the total cash charge, approximately €5.0 million to €6.0 million is related to employee-related expenses, including termination expenses, site closure costs and advisory fees. The remaining charges of€0.2 million to €0.5 million are related to equipment relocation, startup and other costs. These estimates are subject to a number of assumptions (including the number of employees accepting severance packages and the specific timing of the implementation of the exit plan). Actual results may differ from expected results.

Subsequent Event

On January 27, 2014, the Company announced that PGI Polímeros do Brazil, a Brazilian corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("PGI Acquisition Company."), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Companhia Providência Indústria e Comércio, a Brazilian corporation ("Providência") and certain shareholders named therein. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, PGI Acquisition Company will acquire a 71% controlling interest in Providência (the “Potential Acquisition”). Following the closing of the Potential Acquisition, pursuant to Brazilian Corporation Law and Providência’s Bylaws, PGI Acquisition Company will be required to launch a tender offer on substantially the same terms and conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire the remaining outstanding capital stock of Providência from the minority shareholders (the “Mandatory Tender Offer”). The Company expects to fund the Potential Acquisition and the Mandatory Tender Offer with new secured and/or unsecured debt. The Company has obtained approximately $570.0 million of financing commitments from lenders in connection with the Potential Acquisition. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the Potential Acquisition by antitrust authorities. Providência is a leading manufacturer of nonwovens primarily used in hygiene applications as well as industrial and healthcare applications. Based in Brazil, Providência has four locations, including one in the United States.

On March 7, 2014, the Board of Directors of Polymer Group, Inc. (the “Company”) announced its intention for the Company to exit the European roofing business in an effort to optimize the Company’s portfolio. The Company will comply with all legal obligations associated with this expressed intention. The plan could include (1) the possible shutdown of two manufacturing lines at the Company’s Berlin, Germany manufacturing facility; (2) the possible closure of the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Aschersleben, Germany with the consolidation of its converting activities to Berlin and (3) possible workforce reductions at both facilities. The Company expects that the restructuring will be substantially complete by the end of 2014, subject to compliance with its legal obligations and any associated impacts on timing.

Total cash restructuring costs for the exit plan (including both facilities) are expected to be within the range of €5.2 million to €6.5 million. Of the total cash charge, approximately €5.0 million to €6.0 million is related to employee-related expenses, including termination expenses, site closure costs and advisory fees. The remaining charges of€0.2 million to €0.5 million are related to equipment relocation, startup and other costs. These estimates are subject to a number of assumptions (including the number of employees accepting severance packages and the specific timing of the implementation of the exit plan). Actual results may differ from expected results.