Understanding textiles - Part 1

Understanding Textiles - Part 1

Textiles can seem confusing - there are so many options. However, there are a few simple lessons that help to demystify how they're used in a scheme, and that will help you to begin understanding how to use fabric in your home.

1. Often I start with textiles when pulling a scheme together.

1. Three main fabrics are often enough - a stripe, a floral and a plaid is the classic mix.

1. I often use cream as a backdrop, especially when budget is an issue. I then add pops of colour as I layer with curtains, bed hangings, covers or trims.

1. The outside world is where I like to get inspiration for colour combinations - flea markets, paintings or pictures are good.

1. I will then create a patchwork of ideas to visualise how the colours I have chosen work together and what I want in the room.

1. I like to find vintage, antique pieces to add layers of different textiles to the room.

1. It is important to understand what rub count is. The rub count of a fabric is how much use it can endure in its lifetime. Rub Tests are done to help determine how much normal wear a fabric can handle before it shows. Its resistance to abrasion is tested by a machine that rubs the fabric over and over until it finally wears through. The amount of passes that it takes to reach this point is the fabric's rub count. The higher the number, the longer the fabric will last. When a count is described as a Double Rub, this is referring to each time the machine passes back and forth. For the everyday user, this would translate into each time you sit on your furniture piece.

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