Fabrics and Textiles for Interiors and Furniture

Fabrics and textiles are used in multiple ways in architecture and interior
design. In commercial buildings, textiles are typically specified for
upholstery, window treatments, and flooring. They are also specified for
tensile structures on an exterior application.

Textile vs. Fabric

A textile is typically produced by weaving, but also includes other

construction methods, such as knitting, felting, and tufting.
Textiles are formed from a wide range of materials, from fibers and
filaments to polymers and plastics. Finished products are
considered textiles and are used as carpeting, walk-off mats,
window shades, wallcovering, and more. Tenting, canopies, and
tensile fabrics, which are large draped expanses of fabric connected
to cables or cords, are some architectural uses for textiles.
Most fabrics are made my
knitting or weaving yarn,
although non woven
fabric is made by bonding
or felting fibres together. A
fabrics properties,
appearance and end use
can be affected by the way it
was constructed.
 WEAVING: Weaving is the intersection of two sets of straight
yarns, warp and weft, which cross and interlace at right angles
to each other. The lengthwise yarns are known as warp yarns
and width wise yarns are known as weft or filling yarns and the
fabric produced is known as woven fabric.
Woven fabrics are made up of a weft – the yarn going across
the width of the fabric and a warp – the yarn going across the
length of the loom. The yarns are interlocked together. The side
of the fabric where the wefts are double backed to form a non
fraying edge is called the selvedge.

1) In a plain weave fabric the warp and the weft are aligned so that they form
a simple criss cross pattern. This weave is strong and hard wearing, so its
used for fashion and furnishing fabrics.
2) For twill weave fabric the crossing of weft and warp are offset to give a
diagonal pattern on the fabrics surface. Its strong, drapes well and is used
for jackets, jeans and curtains.
3) In satin weave fabric there is a complex arrangement of warp and weft
threads, which allows longer float threads either across the warp or the weft.
The long floats mean the light falling on the yarn doesn't scatter and break up,
like on a plain weave. The reflected light creates a smooth, lustrous surface
commonly called satin. The reverse side is invariable dull and non shiny.
Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right
angles to form a fabric or cloth.

 The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral
threads are the weft, woof, or filling.

 The method in which these threads are inter-woven affects the

characteristics of the cloth

 Cloth is usually woven on a loom, a device that holds the warp

threads in place while filling threads are woven through them.

 A fabric band that meets this definition of cloth (warp threads with
a weft thread winding between)

 The way the warp and filling threads interlace with each other is
called the weave.
A satin weave,
 The majority of woven products are created with one of three common for silk, in
basic weaves: plain weave, satin weave, or twill weave. which each warp
thread floats over
 Woven cloth can be plain or classic (in one colour or a simple 16 weft threads
pattern), or can be woven in decorative or artistic design.
KNITTING: Knitting consists of forming yarns into loops, each of
which is typically only released after a succeeding loop has been
formed and inter meshed with it so that a secure ground loop
structure is achieved. These fabrics are made up of single or
multiple lengths of continuous yarn on a knitting machine or with
knitting needles.

1) Weft knitted fabric is made up of looping together long

lengths of yarn, can be done by hand or machine. The
yarns run in rows across the fabric. The fabric is stretchy
and comfortable.

2) In warp knitted fabric the loops interlock vertically

along the length of the fabric. They are stretchy and do
not ladder. This fabric is made by machine and used for
swimwear, underwear and textile.
Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric. It is used in many
types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine.

 Knitting creates stitches: loops of yarn in a

row, either flat or in the round (tubular). There
are usually many active stitches on
the knitting needle at one time.

 Knitted fabric consists of a number of

consecutive rows of connected loops that
A knit fabric is made up of
intermesh with the next and previous rows.
a single yarn, looped
continuously to produce a
 Differences in yarn (varying
braided look. Multiple yarns
in fibre type, weight, uniformity and twist),
comprise a woven fabric,
needle size, and stitch type allow for a variety
crossing each other at right
of knitted fabrics with different properties,
angles to form the grain.
including color, texture, thickness, heat
Stretching is one of the tests
retention, water resistance, and integrity.
to know whether
a fabric is knit or woven.
 A small sample of knitwork is known as
a swatch.
NON-WOVEN: In this method, fabrics are made of fibres
held together by an applied bonding agent or by the fusing Non Woven Process
of self-contained thermoplastic fibres. Here, nothing is Non-wovens are defined as fabric structures
processed on conventional spindles, looms or knitting produced directly from fibers by bonding or
machines. felting.
Therefore the yarn stage is skipped. Here,
Wool felt is a non woven fabric made from animal hair nothing is processed on spindles, looms or
matted together using moisture, heat and pressure. It has knitting machines.
no strength, drape or elasticity but is warm and does not  There are two methods of non- wovens:
fray. Wool felt is an expensive fabric so is used for
handicrafts, hats and slippers. 1. Bonding 2. Felting.

Bonding - Bonded fabrics are made from

webs of synthetic fibres bonded together
with heat or adhesives.

Felting -Wool felt is made from wool

fibres matted together using moisture,
heat and pressure. They have no grain
lines.

Fibres Felt Fabric

 Tufting developed in
Tufted Pile Fabrics South Eastern of USA as
Tufting is a process of making pile fabrics by a handicraft. It is said
punching extra yarns into an already woven fabric. that the early settlers
trimmed off wicks from
The ground fabric ranges from thin cotton sheeting
their homemade candles
to heavy burlap and the pile yarns can be of any and carefully worked
fiber content. them into bedspreads to
create interesting
 Tufting is the process of creating textiles, especially textures and designs.
Later, a needle was used
carpet, on specialized multi-needle sewing machines.
to insert the thick yarn
and the making of
 Tufting is a less costly method of making pile fabrics, candlewick bedspreads
because it is an extremely fast process and involves grew into a cottage
less labor and time to create new designs industry. Hooked rugs
were also made by hand
in the same way.

the thickness of the blanket is

determined by the height of the pile
rather than by the thickness of the yarn.
Fabrics are made of natural or manmade fibers woven, knitted, crocheted, or
bonded together to form a cloth. Fabric is a type of textile, but all textiles are not
fabrics. Upholstery, drapery, bedding, and linens are all uses for fabrics in
commercial design.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are animal or plant-based and include

wool,
leather,
silk,
cotton,
linen,
ramie,
jute, and
hemp.

PROPERTIES

General characteristics of natural fibers are the ability to take dyes well, they are
biodegradable, sustainable, and most are durable.
Wool
Wool is an animal-based fiber that comes from a variety of sources, such as goats, sheep, lamb,
and alpacas.
Wool is a durable material and has inherent water-resistance due to the oils in the animals’ skin.

PROPERTIES

It is naturally hypoallergenic, flame retardant, and has self-extinguishing properties.

wool is also susceptible to damage from insects and requires proper cleaning to avoid
permanent damage to the material.
Excessive exposure to sunlight can bleach or yellow the pigment in the fabric, causing it to look
prematurely worn.

-using wool blends to achieve a high-end effect in a more cost-effective way. Upholstery and
bedding are the typical uses for wool on a commercial project.
Leather
Leather is a natural fabric made from animal hides. Cattle, sheep, horses,
pigs, and other animal skins are removed and preserved to begin the
tanning process. Most commercial-grade leathers are tanned, which is a
process of cleaning, processing, conditioning, and finishing the hides for
use.

PROPERTIES
Leather is hypoallergenic, durable, and is relatively easy to clean. If done
properly, leather can be refinished to like-new condition.

Leather is not a cost-effective material and can be extremely

expensive to use in a commercial project.

Leather - it is prone to cracking, thinning, and fading over time; its surface
temperature is directly related to the surrounding environmental conditions,
and it cannot withstand prolonged direct or indirect sunlight.

Common commercial uses for leather are headboards, upholstery, and

decorative throw pillows in hospitality projects; wall panels, seating, and
bar fronts in restaurant and retail design; and upholstered flooring and
seating in high-end corporate offices.
Silk
Silk comes from the silkworm,
Silk is shiny, soft, and has a natural luster. It is delicate and expensive.

PROPERTIES
It can be easily damaged, stained, snagged, and torn.

It is typically used in high-end commercial design as wallcovering,

decorative upholstery, drapery, or sheers.

Cotton
Cotton is the most abundantly utilized fabric in commercial design. Cotton
fiber comes from the boll of the cotton plant, which is grown in warm climates.
The fiber is harvested, processed, and made into yarns. The yarn is made
into a multitude of products, including carpet and rugs, upholstery fabric,
wallcovering, backing, lampshades, draperies, and more.

PROPERTIES
Cotton fibers are soft, strong, flexible, and durable. Its absorbent nature
allows it to take dyes well, but color washes out easily. The porous quality
allows for breathability, but it also creates moisture retention issues, i.e. mold
and mildew, if not treated prior to use. Cotton is prone to damage from
insects, such as moths and worms, that feed on the fibers. Other issues are
fading and degrading in prolonged sunlight, shrinking, staining, and wrinkling.
Linen Hemp, Jute, and Ramie
Linen is another plant-based fiber. Linen comes from the Hemp, jute, and ramie are all types of highly
flax plant, which has rigid fibers that soften over time. sustainable, rapidly renewable plant-based fibers.
Of these, hemp is the most water-resistant. Industrial
PROPERTIES hemp is harvested from the outer casing, or bast, of
Once the fibers have softened, they can be weaved into the stem of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The fibers are
fabric that is durable, breathable, lightweight, and similar to canvas in texture and durability, but wrinkle
absorbent. easily. Hemp fabric is strong, but fibers will weaken
The natural stiffness of linen lends itself to commercial over time with repeated use. Hemp is typically used for
wallcoverings, window treatments, lampshades, and linens and bedding in commercial applications.
drapery applications. The softness and quick drying time Jute is from the bark of the jute plant. The fiber is
of linen are ideal for use in commercial bedding, sheets, extremely strong and versatile. Some commercial uses
towels, and tablecloths. Consider utilizing a linen blend in for jute are geotextiles to inhibit soil erosion, material
high visibility applications, as the material is easily for rope, and as backing for wallcovering and flooring.
wrinkled. Despite its natural sheen, jute is typically only used in
The cost of linen is typically higher than cotton but is upholstery if blended with another fiber.
generally affordable within a modest budget. Ramie, also known as grass cloth, comes from the
stalks of various perennial plants grown in east Asia.
Ramie fibers are stronger than cotton, linen, and wool.
Fabrics are naturally mildew resistant, moisture absorbent, and do not shrink. It is one of the few natural fibers that
can withstand prolonged daylight without bleaching. Despite these advantages, ramie is rarely used in commercial
applications because it is expensive to produce, brittle, and inflexible. The most common use for ramie is industrial
thread and in fiber blends.
Jute Fabric
Jute is often found woven into carpets, window
treatments, furniture coverings, and rugs. One of the more
common forms of jute in home decor, is a lighter fabric
used to make bags as well as wall coverings.
Jute can also be combined with other softer fibers to
create textiles for making pillows, throws, linens, and
upholstery.
Furniture
Jute can bring a natural, textured feel to the bedroom
when used to cover bed frames and headboards. Its
rough, coarsely-woven look, paired with smooth linens
and fluffy pillows, can create a pleasing juxtaposition.
Jute upholstery fabric is a durable material used to make
sofas, chairs, and other furniture. It's often featured in its
natural color, ranging from light tan to a golden brown, but
the material can also be dyed to almost any hue. The
fabric can also make an excellent option for drapes or
curtains.
Jute rope-wrapped furniture is a great choice for a
sunroom or a space with a nautical theme. The rope is
also often featured in indoor chair swings, hammocks, and
hanging light fixtures.
Interior textiles, also known as home furnishing textiles, includes specialised textiles used in
homes, offices, hospitals, hotels, schools, aircraft and automobile interiors.

The interior textile industry

is classified into
1. Decorative textile
2. Textile floor coverings
3. Wall coverings
4. Manufactured products.

1. Decorative Textiles Properties of upholstery fabrics:

These are mainly used to Upholstery fabrics should have the following
decorate the interior of the properties:
home rather than for any (1) Very good resistance to wear or abrasion
functional purpose. (2) Very high tensile strength
(3) Pleasing handling of the fabric
(4) Excellent colour fastness
i) Upholstery
(5) High resistance to seam slipping and yarn
These are the fabrics used over distortion
furniture frames and cushions. (6) It must not pill or shed
These fabrics are subjected to (7) It should be given stain- and soil-repellent finish
greater in-use stress including (8) It should have good flame-resistance
being used as seating for (9) Striped and plaid designs must be true in grain
several hours. with no bow or skew
Interior textiles
ii) Curtains and draperies

Curtains and draperies, also called window fabrics, cover widows in the home or hotels or offices.
They make up the major applications of textiles in the interiors. Curtains are sheer and reflecting
light weight fabrics, hung without linings. Draperies are heavy, often opaque and usually have a
lining.

Properties

Besides the requirements of common textiles properties, these fabrics

require good light fastness and good draping or handling.

Uses of window fabrics

 To provide privacy to residents

 To eliminate or reduce glare from sunlight
 To hide an undesirable outside view
 To create aesthetic effect
 To give insulation from heat, cold and light
Interior textiles Textile floor coverings include
i) Carpets (ii) Rugs (iii) Underlays
2. Textile floor coverings
Textile floor coverings are used inside buildings. (i) Carpets
Normally, they are made by weaving, tufting, Carpets are heavy fabrics used for soft floor coverings. A carpet
needle-punching, bonding, flocking and knitting. usually covers the entire floor and is fastened to it. Rugs are the
Also called soft floor coverings as opposed to same as carpets, but have a specific size. They are not fastened to
hard or smooth floor coverings like vinyl, the floor. Carpets are also available as Modular Carpet or Carpet
linoleum, cork and rubber tiles or sheets, textile Tile. Each tile is normally 1' x 1' in size. The fibres used in
manufacturing carpets include wool, nylon, polypropylene and
floor coverings are used at home and in hotels, acrylic.
hospitals, airports and automobiles. The fibre
content and construction play an important role Manufacturing of carpets:
in the properties and characteristics of textile Carpets can be manufactured by the following methods or
floor coverings and its selection for use. techniques:
i) Tufting ii) Weaving iii) Nonwoven - needle punched and fusion
Special characteristics: bonding
The special characteristics of a
carpet are: Properties
•Sound absorption: to avoid The quality specifications of carpets are as follows:
sound echoing in a hall or room It should have (i) high abrasion resistance (ii) good resiliency (iii)
• Thermal insulation: to prevent good colour fastness (iv) low piling (v) high dimensional stability (vi)
loss of heat from a room good tuft binding strength (vii) high soiling resistance (viii) good
• Static control: to prevent the ease of cleaning (ix) good flame retardant properties
production of static electricity
Interior textiles Carpet backing:
After tufting, the reverse side of the
i) Carpets carpet is finished or bounded with a
carpet backing or foam underlay. The
Types of carpet piles:
backing may be done by:
Tufted carpets will have pile or loops in their face side. The piles are of two types:
(i) Plain backing (ii) Mesh fabric
1. Loop pile 2. Cut pile
backing (iii) Underlay (iv) Foam
brushed

Types of carpet pile

The pile of tufted carpets is formed by tufts inserted into a backing with
needles. In knitted carpets, the backing, locking, and pile yarns are all
looped together. ... Tufted carpets differ basically from traditional types Backing of carpet
because they have a pre woven backing into which the tufts are inserted.
ii) Rugs
Carpet construction terms: A rug is a floor covering consisting of a
The following parameters are taken into consideration piece of heavy fabric that does not
while manufacturing or purchasing a carpet: cover the floor's entire surface. It will
i) Pile height ii) Pile thickness iii) Pile weight iv) Total cover only a specific area intended for
weight v) Gauge vi) Needles/inch vii) Stitches per inch
decorative purpose or for seating.
viii) Rows/inch
Interior textiles
3. Wall and ceiling coverings

Wall and ceiling coverings are fabrics placed on walls and

ceilings. These may be both decorative and functional. These
fabrics are normally backed with paper or spun bonded
nonwoven. The fabrics used to produce wall and ceiling
coverings are macram and tapestry. The major physical
properties of these coverings are good flame-, soil- and stain-
resistant abilities.

tapestry fabric made of - Most weavers use a natural

warp thread, such as wool, linen or cotton. The weft
threads are usually wool or cotton but may include silk,
gold, silver, or other alternatives.

Macrame is a form of textile produced

using knotting (rather than weaving or knitting)
techniques.
Interior textiles
4. Manufactured products
Manufactured products are made by cutting and sewing home textile. They include areas of bath, kitchen and table tops, and
bedding products. They are also referred to as linen because they are normally made of linen.

i) Bath Products: v) Table top products:

Bath products include towels made of terry and velour (cut loops). Table tops are items which adorn dining table (table
cloth, napkins, placements, etc.)
ii) Bath Rugs and Mats:
Bath rugs are small, decorative soft flooring, light in weight. Bath It is made of woven fabrics like dobby, jacquard design,
mats are similar but smaller than rugs and meant to be kept in front stain, sateen, etc.
of a tub, shower etc. Both are for functional purposes.
vi) Kitchen products:
iii) Shower Curtains: Textile products used in the kitchen include aprons,
Shower curtains are made of plastic sheets and nonwovens and are gloves, masks and head coverings.
used to prevent water splashing outside the shower area.
In General-The manufacturing of interior textiles in India
iv) Bedding Products:
is becoming more organised because of availability of
Bedding products are also called Domestics. The vertical includes
various modern technologies and techniques. Changing
a) Sheets and pillow cases
consumer needs are driving the scope for research and
b) Blankets - tufted, knitted, needle-punched nonwovens
development in interior textiles. The growth potential of
c) Bedspreads - outer bed covers
the interior textile market in India is positive. Earlier, it was
d) Quilts - also bed covers but in two layers and using fabric insulated
export-oriented. Now, it is becoming more domestic-
substance
oriented because of the increasing demand at home as
e) Pillows - bed or decorative made in different shapes and sizes
Indian consumers become more conscious about home
interior designing and decoration.