Dear Jean and Richard, Could you define some of the basic fabrics you use in your work? Suzanne, Fairview

Richard: Hi Suzanne. This is much more exciting to look at and feel than to describe…this one is yours, Jean.

Jean: Lucky me! Suzanne, fabrics can be broken down into a variety of categories; by the weight, weave, pattern, etc. And those differences define the varied uses for the fabric. Obviously heavier, more tightly woven fabrics are used for upholstery more than light weight cloth, but not always. An occasional or boudoir chair, for instance, could be covered in more delicate fabric, as it’s more about the look than the use.

So generally speaking, here are some of those fabrics:
Casement cloth. A broad term for an open weave cotton or synthetic fabric. It is usually fairly plain, light or neutral in color. Definitely not for upholstery.
Linen. Made from the bark of the flax plant, famous for its luster and smoothness. It absorbs dyes softly and beautifully. Though it tends to not soil easily it does wrinkle easily. Can be used for tight upholstery. Also great for summer slipcovers, due to its rapid moisture absorption.
Chintz. Cotton fabric of rich solid colors or printed florals, often large scale. Unglazed or with a protective glaze made of resin. Besides draperies, chintz is often used on bedding and boudoir slipcovers.
Moire. A watermark or wavy finish on silk, rayon, cotton or nylon that gives the look of movement with light and dim effects. A dressy look, for both draperies or lightly used upholstery.
Silk. The only natural fiber that comes in filament form, made from unraveling the cocoons of Japanese silkworms. Or a fabric woven from silk threads. It takes on brilliant, bold colors, and today is often embroidered. It is quick to be severely damaged from the sun. Beautiful for draperies, but if given a stabilized backing, it can also be used for light upholstery.
Velvet. One of our favorites for both heavy, rich draperies and substantial upholstery. A plush, dense all warp pile of cotton, nylon, polyester, and/or viscose dyed into an array of beautiful colors. Good stability and cleans up well as upholstery.
Chenille. Woven fabric working a small, hard warp with a soft, thick weft, which binds the weft thread together. Cut edges of these yarns create a plush, velvet-like surface. Too heavy for draperies, it is a wonderful, long wearing and soft upholstery fabric.
Whew!

Richard: Now wasn’t that fun!