Check & Striped Fabric

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is checked fabric called?

  Checked fabric is a pattern of stripes that run vertically and horizontally to form squares. It is a popular design as it is incredibly versatile and comes in a variety of colours, textures and designs. 
  There are a variety of checked patterns such as houndstooth and checkerboard, but gingham and tartan are the most popular. 

  Gingham is a checked pattern which is usually white and one another colour and is a popular choice for country kitchens and children’s rooms. The fresh gingham Coniston fabric is so versatile it can be used for curtains and blinds as well as a tablecloth or craft project.

  Tartan is a patterned cloth that can have crisscrossed, horizontal and vertical bands of colour. It was originally made with woven wool but now is made in other materials. It comes in a huge variety of colours and is used to bring a cosy Scottish theme to a room, such as the Highland-inspired Balmoral wool tartan fabric.

• What is the difference between checked and tartan?

  A check is a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines which create squares of colour, whereas tartan is crisscrossed, horizontal and vertical bands of colour. Tartan tends to have a much more complex design and comes in a wider variety of colours as it is historically associated with different clans and Scottish regions.

   

• What is the difference between plaid and check?

  The difference between plaid and check design is in the repeat of the pattern and is the same as the difference between check and tartan. Check is a symmetrical pattern using two colours and the same striped pattern, such as gingham. Plaid has more than two colours and there is more variety in the design. The most popular plaid design is tartan.

• What is striped fabric called?

  There are many different types of striped fabric, and it helps to be familiar with them when choosing fabric. 

  Classic stripe fabric – this design consists of narrow, medium or thick bands of colour against a contrasting colour background. This is often the cleanest and freshest looking striped fabric, so is the most popular choice for interiors and furnishings. 

  • Pinstripes – this style is famously associated with pinstripe suits. It’s made up of very thin lines and is a more traditional and formal take on striped fabric.
  • Multi-stripe fabric – multi-stripe fabrics have stripes of varying thickness and doesn’t need to follow a regular pattern. Having a large or small repeat means it’s an easy way to add an element of fun and playfulness to a room. 
  • Ticking stripe fabric – this is a tightly woven pattern made up of a combination of wide and narrow stripes.

• What is ribbed fabric called?

  Ribbed fabric is known as rib knit or ribbing and is a kind of knitting that creates the appearance of raised vertical lines in the fabric. It tends to consist of alternating raised and lowered rows with ridges on both sides of the fabric. Ribbed knit is usually cotton. In interiors, some sofas are ribbed meaning they have a raised pattern on its surface which creates a luxurious or eye-catching pattern.