What is extra wide fabric and how is it made?
Extra wide fabric is woven on specially designed wider looms to create broader widths of cloth, allowing for larger, more uninterrupted fabric panels. It is produced using the same natural fibers and considered craftsmanship as our standard-width fabrics, while maintaining the texture, character and performance of the original design at a larger scale.
How wide is extra wide fabric?
Extra wide fabrics are typically woven at approximately twice the width of standard fabrics. Most of our extra wide fabrics range from 110 to 126 inches (280 to 320 cm) wide. Their generous width makes them particularly well suited to expansive windows, full-length drapery and other large-scale interior applications.
Can extra wide fabric be used for drapery and upholstery?
Yes. Extra wide fabrics are ideal for drapery, particularly for wide windows and long drops where a seamless appearance is desired. They can also be used for decorative furnishings and selected upholstery applications, depending on the fabric construction.
What are the advantages of extra wide fabric?
The increased width allows for fewer seams, creating a cleaner, more fluid appearance. This is particularly beneficial for drapery, where uninterrupted fabric panels enhance the natural beauty and drape of the cloth. Extra wide fabrics can also provide greater flexibility when working with patterned designs. For example, a fabric woven with horizontal stripes may be railroaded to create a vertical stripe effect if desired.
What does it mean to railroad fabric?
Railroading refers to rotating a fabric 90 degrees so the width of the fabric runs vertically rather than horizontally. This technique is often used with extra wide fabrics to change the direction of a pattern or to reduce the need for seams. For example, a horizontal stripe can be railroaded to appear vertical on drapery panels.
How do you cut extra wide fabric?
Extra wide fabric is typically cut to suit the scale and requirements of the project, taking advantage of its width to minimise joins and maintain continuity across larger installations. If a cutting surface is not wide enough, the fabric can be folded lengthwise for handling. Care should be taken to ensure the fabric remains square and correctly aligned along the warp and weft before cutting.
Is extra wide fabric available by the yard, and can I order samples?
Yes. Our extra wide fabrics are available by the yard, offering flexibility across a wide range of interior projects. Samples can also be ordered to help evaluate the texture, weight and colour before specifying. We ship samples and fabric orders throughout the United States, and customers are welcome to visit our New York showroom to explore the collection in person.
