Fabrics 101: Textiles, Fibers + Home Décor

X FABRICS 101X FABRICTYPES CHOOSE A FIBER NATURAL FIBERS MAN MADE FIBERS COTTON JUTE / BAMBO0 SILK POLYESTER / FIBERGLASS VINYL · Flame • Popular • Versatile • Durable • Lustrous FLAX / LINEN WOOL RAYON / • Inexpensive • Rich Texture • Fades Easily CELLULOSE Retardent • Popular • Versatile • Durable • Doesn't • Inexpensive • Sustainable • More Costly • Widely Used • Durable • Great Insulator Wrinkle Easily • Versatile • Inexpensive • Rich Color • Often Not Durable CHOOSE A MATERIAL STAPLE FIBER FILAMENT FIBER Any type of fiber in short lengths. Silk or manmade fiber in Can be spun together to continuous strands. create a yam. YARN Fibers of varying lengths spun together to for a thicker, stronger strand. CHOOSE A CONSTRUCTION STYLE NON-WOVEN WOVEN KNITTED Entire piece of fabric is dyed after Vertical and horizontal yarns Yarns create interlocking loops to construction. A mix of fibers can interlace to form a fabric. form a fabric. create a multi-colored effect. A DESIGN + COLOR PIECE DYED YARN DYED WOVEN IN PRINTED Entire piece of fabric is dyed after Yarn is dyed before the fabric Pattern is created by weaving Pattern applied to face of fabric, construction. A mix of fibers can is constructed. different colored fabrics together. usually appears on only one side. create a multi-colored effect. KNOWYOUR FABRICS CANVAS TWILL HERRINGBONE Ultra heavy-duty plain weave made with Offset weave forms a diagonal pattern that is Variation of twill weave that forms a chevron cotton or linen. stronger, thicker and hides soil better than or "V" pattern. plain weave. From: China 3000 BC From: Ireland Cultural Fact: Designed to be sturdy enough From: Scotland Cultural Fact: Tweeds like herringbone were for sails and tents, Also called sailcloth. Cultural Fact: Denim, tweed, houndstooth the 'performance fabrics' of their day for 19th Where to Use: Artists paint on it, but it's also and herringbone are all twills. century sportsmen. great for upholstery that needs durability more Where to Use: Twill is often used in apparel, Where to Use: Herringbone fabrics drape than softness. Use when recovering a foot- but it's beautiful for curtains as well. The thick beautifully as curtains and can provide excel- stool or ottoman fabric drapes well and resists wrinkling. lent insulation. SATIN SHANTUNG VELVET Compact weave, Warp floats over many weft Woven fabric with a strong horizontal slub, Woven or knitted fabric with cut pile on the yarns to produce sheen on one side. originally silk. surface that gives it a fuzzy feel. From: China From: China From: Kashmir Cultural Fact: Satin has been used for many Cultural Fact In The Sound of Music, Maria's Cultural Fact: Velvet was a huge trend in years to cover ballet slippers and pointe iconic wedding dress was made with shantung 90's fashion with icons like Princess Diana shoes. silk. leading the way. Where to Use: Use this statement making Where to Use: This fabric has a slight sheen Where to Use: This fabric brings rich color fabric for bedding, decorative pillows and and flows beautifully for sheer drapes, roman and surprising durability to upholstery and flowing draperies. shades and table runners. offers amazing insulation for draperies. TRELLIS DAMASK TICKING STRIPE Design inspired by garden trellises and A classic leaf-inspired pattern often in repeat- Denim-like twill with double stripes, traditional- Moroccan tiles. ing pendants, can be jacquard or printed. ly in indigo or black on white. From: England From: Damascus From: France Cultural Fact: Some patterns feature quatre- Cultural Fact: The damask pattern is most Cultural Fact: Originally used for mattress foil designs, a classic symbol found in gothic often seen in brocade and upholstery fabrics. and pillow covers. Its tight weave and wax architecture. Where to Use: This heavier weight fabric is seal kept feathers from poking through. Where to Use: This pattern looks stylish any- perfect for draperies and tablecloths. Where to Use: This petite stripe works well where. Try it on a roman shade, shower cur- for upholstery and bedding, especially with tain or accent pillows. French country décor. AWNING STRIPE IKAT JACQUARD Wide striped design inspired by fabric awnings Threads are dyed several colors with a tie-dye Pattern is woven in so that reverse appears on storefronts. type method and then woven to form intricate on opposite side. patterns. From: United States From: Malaysia From: France (Lyon) Cultural Fact: These bold stripes are seen Cultural Fact: Named for Joseph Marie Jac- most often in preppy, east coast style. Cultural Fact: The signature 'hazy' look of ikat quard who invented the Jacquard loom in Where to Use: Use this pattern in wallpaper, fabrics comes from the dye bleeding up the 1801. rugs, roman shades and curtains for a bold threads as it is colored. Where to Use: Jacquard is a classic uphol- color blocked look. Where to Use: Ikat is everywhere in the fash- stery fabric and gives furniture a formal look. ion world, It looks beautiful on windows, bed- Give it a try for draperies and tablecloths as ding, or even as a wall hanging. well. BLINDS.COM