sharoncsheperd's blog: "The Peterson Group"

When you go to a fabric store, there are rolls of fabric displayed, as far as the eye can see. The back of your pattern envelope has a list of suggested fabrics. Many fabrics can look alike but have very different properties, which makes a huge impact on the finished project.

As we all know, fabrics have different patterns and styles, types and contents. No two fabrics are the same. It may be similar to look at but when reviewed closely, each pattern is unique from others. Manufactures have grouped the fabrics by the common style it follows.

While fabrics can be grouped based on the material used for its creation – natural or synthetic -, each type has an even more intricate pattern. For example, each product of the most famous dyed or waxed fabric in Indonesia called Batik is patterned differently but may still be grouped according to the end imprint on it. The most famous in the streets of Jakarta are the flowery patterns used in traditional clothes.

The Peterson Group, famous for their unique home furnishings in New York listed some of the most common groups of upholstery fabrics depending on their patterns.

1.Chintz

Originally from India, Chintz is mostly floral in design. It is a highly polished, rather thin fabric hailed by the British raja Chintz. It is brightly colored and is mostly cotton. Chintz is also popularly used for upholstery and slipcovers.

2. Damask

Graphic artists would call this type of patterns as vector art, a combination of curves and patterned dots which show repeatedly indefinite designs. Mostly in silk, linen or rayon, it is mostly used for draperies and upholstery and is soft and silky.

3.Gingham

Ginghams uses checkered patterns and are often confused with plaid ones. The difference is that gingham patterns follow only one checkered width. Plaid patterns have different lines. This is a relatively inexpensive fabric and is used mostly as table cloth.

4.Grosgrains

Grosgrain is mostly silk with ribbed pattern. It comes in different colors and can be used for accessories and clothes.

5.Herringbone

This pattern follows a geometrical outline consisting of two slanted lines that forms rows of V shapes on the fabric. This is mostly used in menswear and women necklaces.

6.Moiré

This fabric is mostly used in upholstery and seat covers and is mostly expensive. Moiré is a "water-marked" fabric (an effect now produced by cylindrical presses) with vertical "cathedrals" (lines that look like the peak of a cathedral).

The Peterson Group, specializing in distinctive home furnishings in New York, has a lot of fabrics to offer. It may seem a haven for pattern lovers but once you got to dig into the wide variety of fabric, it can get overwhelming. There are novel and jo anne fabrics which are both used in modern furniture. Do-it-yourself (DIY) fabrics are also popular among creative and stay-at-home moms. Batik fabrics from Jakarta, Indonesia are also entering today’s market as well as outdoor fabrics for Zen inspired interiors. 

There are just a lot of upholstery fabrics and as it is vital to know which one to match the theme you are approaching, it is also best to be educated of the basics. Let us review some of the most standout characteristics: 

1. Style

Fabric style should first match the feel of your space. If you are going for a traditional look, you must choose a fabric of the same feel. If you are confident that you can integrate modern and traditional look into one, go for it as well. 

Style also encompasses the aura that you want to convey. If you are vying for a professional and stricter look, you should fabrics such as leather to incorporate with your furnishings. 

2. Types

There are different types of fabrics: 

a. Woven – most fabrics are woven. These fabrics are combined together in a loom. Some looms can create very intricate designs using multiple colors of yarn, like the Jacquard loom. There are also other looms, like the Dobby, that make simpler designs.

b. Knit – now this kind of fabrics are mostly common since we see our grandmothers knit our own sweaters. Upholstery products can also be knitted and is used for sturdiness.

c. Velvet – velvety products are mostly used for luxury furnishings and are created by weaving two pieces of fabric face-to-face and then cutting them apart.

d. Print – the easiest type of fabric. This type is usually inexpensive and designers have a wide scope of patterns and colors to choose from. However, it is common for less expensive print types to copy an original one, thus the emergence of fraud upholsteries using pint fabrics 

3. Content

a. Natural

•      Cotton – made from cotton plant and resistant to fading and wear

•      Linen – made from slab plants and are mostly used in living areas and adult rooms

•      Wool – authentic wool is made from animal hair and is sturdy 

b. Synthetic

•      Polyester – durable and cleanable as well as wrinkle resistant

•      Nylon - rarely used alone, nylon is often used with other fabrics to make it one of the strongest upholstery.