Striped Fabrics

What is striped fabric?

Striped fabric is a textile in which lines or bands of colour repeat along or across the length of the cloth. Stripes can be narrow, wide, regular or looser, and they affect how a surface is perceived. Vertical stripes accentuate height and drape, while wider or horizontal stripes give more graphic weight.

Which striped fabrics are the most popular?

Popular choices in the range are Annick Ticking Fabric, Parada Fabric and Chantilly Stripe Fabric. Annick Ticking has an informal, classic character, while Parada and Chantilly Stripe offer different proportions and colour palettes. Which fabric suits best depends on whether it is to be used for curtains, upholstery or smaller textile details.

Where do striped fabrics work best?

Striped fabrics work best where you want to create direction and structure, for example on curtains, armchairs, benches, headboards and cushions. On curtains the stripes accentuate the vertical drape. On furniture the matching becomes more important, since the lines need to meet neatly across seams, backs and cushions.

How do I choose the right striped upholstery fabric?

Choose the right striped upholstery fabric by checking durability, fabric width, pattern repeat and the recommended use. Also think about how the stripe will sit on the piece of furniture. A narrow stripe is often easier to match on rounded forms, while a wide stripe needs more fabric and more careful planning.

Can I get help choosing striped fabric?

Yes, you can get help choosing striped fabric by first using the visualisation on the product page when you are logged in. Then you can compare samples in the showroom at Sturegatan 20 in Stockholm. Do bring measurements, photos and details of the intended use so that the consultation can be tailored to your project.

Stripes that shape a room's proportions

Stripes are one of the most useful patterns in interiors because they can be both calm and distinct. A narrow ticking stripe often feels understated and textile-like, while a wide contrasting stripe becomes more architectural. In a room with a low ceiling, vertical stripes on curtains can heighten the sense of height. On a wide sofa or headboard, the same stripe can instead give a clear rhythm across the surface.

The direction of the pattern is not always a given. Some fabrics can be used in more than one direction, but always check the fabric width, selvedge and the manufacturer's recommendations before planning the cutting.

Curtains, furniture and smaller projects

For curtains, drape, weight and light transmission are at least as important as the stripe itself. A lighter fabric gives soft movement, while a denser weave creates more body and can soften the light. Annick Ticking Fabric works beautifully when you want a relaxed look, while Chantilly Stripe Fabric gives a clearer decorative rhythm.

On furniture the stripe needs to be matched across seat, back and armrests. This applies especially to armchairs and sofas with many seams. A fabric such as Parada Fabric or Morris & Co Fabric Wilhelmina Weave may therefore require more length than a plain fabric.

Combining stripes with other patterns

Striped fabric works well alongside florals, checks and plains, since the stripe gives structure to the pattern mix. A simple method is to let two fabrics share at least one colour and vary the scale. A narrow stripe can meet a larger botanical motif, while a wide stripe pairs well with a smaller check or a calm weave.

On the fabric page you can compare more materials and patterns. For brand-specific selections, see Romo fabrics, Osborne & Little fabrics and Designers Guild fabrics

Practical advice before ordering

See the fabric on a piece of furniture via the visualisation on the product page and assess it both vertically and horizontally depending on the use. On a curtain, look at how the stripe falls in the folds. On furniture, check how the scale works across the width of the seat and whether the lines should be centred.

Allow extra material for pattern matching. The wider the stripe and the more seams, the greater the margin needed. For made-to-measure curtains or bespoke furniture, you can read more about made-to-order.

Measure the finished width and height, not just the outer dimensions of the window or piece of furniture.

Check the pattern repeat, fabric width and recommended use.

Assess the colour in both daylight and evening light.

Plan the direction of the stripes before cutting.