{"id":5024,"date":"2022-12-09T15:42:21","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T15:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/?p=5024"},"modified":"2022-12-09T15:44:05","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T15:44:05","slug":"unique-fabrics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/unique-fabrics\/","title":{"rendered":"Unique Novelty Fabrics"},"content":{"rendered":"

As many know, I have been trying to catch up with getting small pieces or pieces with flaws online. Some of these have been waiting to be listed for quite some time. As each needs to be inspected, measured, and photographed, the process has given me time to reflect on many aspects of home decorating fabrics.<\/p>\n

\"NOVELTY<\/a>
NOVELTY FABRICS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

We have always focused on novelty fabrics. At one point we did carry a lot of checks, stripes, and plaids, but we made a decision a few years ago to go back to our roots- to novelty fabrics.<\/p>\n

A lot has changed from when I started on the net, over twenty years ago. Not only has the net changed, but fabrics have, in many ways. Patterns that people want to live with, the scale of patterns to meet the different needs of the size of furniture and houses, the process of applying patterns to fabric, the actual ground cloths, and the finishing of the fabrics have all changed.<\/p>\n

In recent years many companies have moved away from printed fabrics, as the focus has changed to easy care fabrics.<\/p>\n

For a while, the scale of fabrics got very, very big- to fit big furniture in big spaces. While large scale fabrics are still available, we are now seeing more fabrics with a smaller scale than we have seen in quite a while.<\/p>\n

While screen printing has always been the main way to apply color to printed fabrics, the companies are moving away from that to digital printing.<\/p>\n

And instead of a large choice of ground clothes, companies have moved to a few that work for both use and the dyeing methods.<\/p>\n

As for finishing, with new regulations, some companies are no longer finishing their fabrics.<\/p>\n

_________________________________<\/p>\n

When a pattern is shown to us,\u00a0there are several considerations, the first being, do we like it.\u00a0 But, what it is that catches our eye is interesting. It is a combination of the subject, color, groundcloth, and the actual printing. Some companies come out with several hundred new patterns every year. So, there has to be something special about a pattern for us to get it.\u00a0What makes it stand out to us, from all of the other patterns produced?<\/p>\n

When a new fabric comes in, the first thing I do is hang it for photographing it. By doing that, I feel it, and really look at it. My job is to give people a sense of the pattern.I have to decide how to give people\u00a0 the best sense of what the fabric is about;\u00a0 what elements need to be centered in the photograph. This gives me a chance to really get to know the pattern and color, how the pattern is set up, and how the color moves on the fabric.<\/p>\n

I then have to write a description, noting color, scale, and use.<\/p>\n

It is when I am deciding on how to cut it that I begin to really understand a pattern. As many know, we don’t sell all fabrics by the yard. The reason for that is simple, we want the buyer to get the design so that it useable. If a buyer is buying an increment of one, what would they get. For many fabrics, if they bought a yard, at some point, as it came off of the roll, that yard would have the main pattern element cut incorrectly. Our favorite analogy is no one wants a horse with the head cut off.<\/p>\n

______________________________________<\/p>\n

So, back to how this subject started-
\nI have had the\u00a0opportunity to revisit a lot of patterns,
\nto see and feel a lot of fabrics,
\nwhile getting the smaller pieces on line.<\/p>\n

So, I thought it would be fun to look at a few fabrics,
\nand note what, in my opinion, makes them unique.
\nAnd, I wanted them to have two attributes
\nthat contributed to making them so.<\/p>\n

And, one thing I think it is important to ask while doing this is-
\ndoes the pattern have a concept?
\nAnd, if so,
\ndoes the fabric deliver that concept.<\/p>\n

_______________________________________________<\/p>\n

One of our most popular fabrics is one that I just cut,
\nso, I am going to start with it-<\/p>\n

the Venice fabric.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"VENICE
VENICE FABRIC-PINK TOILE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I first saw this fabric years ago-
\nand I was instantly captivated by it.
\nI love the colors- bright, bold, fun.
\nas well as the details- laundry blowing from a landry line,
\na restaurant on the quay being set up for dining.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I also like the\u00a0juxtaposition of the
\ncoloreful, very detailed elements of the pattern,
\nwith the more simplistic background line drawing and silhouettes.<\/p>\n

And, the scale is small enough to be easily used.
\nSo, for me this is a unique fabric that does have a theme,
\nand delivers it well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We also have another Venice pattern,
\nin two colorways.
\nIt is very different!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"VENICE
VENICE FABRIC- OLD MASTERS ART<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This has the look of a painting done by
\nan old master.
\nIt is truely an interesting fabric.<\/p>\n

This has two different scenes, set in rows.
\nUnlike the other Venice pattern,
\nthe elements on this are not integrated,
\nmaking it much more difficult to use easily.<\/p>\n

So, what do I like?
\nIts uniqueness for one.
\nThe concept, coloring, and application of the pattern
\nare interesting and well done.
\nThe idea of actually having a scenic pattern
\ndone as a painting with the coloring of
\na painting by an old master intrigues me.
\nAnd the ground cloth is a wonderful, soft cotton.<\/p>\n

One customer wanted to cut it between the rows of patterns,
\nand seam it to make a valence,
\ncertainly do-able.
\nOne could do the same for a bed skirt.
\nAnd then cut for pillow or shams.<\/p>\n

This also comes in an all blue colorway,
\nwhich gives a whole different look.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"BLUE
BLUE VENICE FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The same ground cloth, which is wonderful,
\nis used on the snapdragon fabric.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"SNAPDRAGON
SNAPDRAGON FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is almost the opposite of Venice Painting Fabrics.
\nIt is easy to use, one really doesn’t need
\nto worry about the repeat,
\nas it is the randomness of colors that gives this its verve!<\/p>\n

The coloring, the blending, and the ground cloth
\nset this apart from the majority of home decorating fabrics.<\/p>\n

Also bright and bold is the
\nelephant, cheetah, monkey, horse fabric.<\/p>\n

It was the whimsical nature of this pattern that
\ncaught my attention.
\nThat and the bright, bold coloring.<\/p>\n

One thing that is interesting about this is the
\nupside down horse.
\nThis is not a multi-directional fabric,
\nbut the upside down horse is a
\ndeparture from most home dec fabrics
\nwhich are usually done so the pattern has one direction.
\nSome seashell patterns, and an occasional\u00a0 floral
\ndepart from this,
\nbut not many patterns do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"WHIMSICAL
WHIMSICAL ELEPHANT BEAST FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love the patterning of the animals-
\nthe horses mane is flowers,
\nand his body is covered in more floral shapes.<\/p>\n

I also liked the tonal coloring of the background.
\nBeing tonal makes a fabric able to be used with
\na broader range of colors.
\nOne is not trying to match one color,
\nit can be used across a broader color range.<\/p>\n

We have this in a spritely green,
\nwhich accentuates the dots on the alligator.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"GREEN
GREEN WHIMSICAL ANIMAL FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And there is also a neutral grey background colorway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"GREY
GREY EXOTIC ANIMAL FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The coloring of the birds and animals
\nremains the same on all of the colorways.
\nBut, the impact of the pattern, of the animals,
\nwill depend on the interaction of
\ntheir coloring with that of the background.<\/p>\n

Another whimsical animal pattern is the
\ntropical jungle fabric with leapards and beasts.<\/p>\n

This is an interesting cross over of an animal pattern
\nwith an Indienne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"TROPICAL
TROPICAL JUNGLE FABRIC LEOPARD BEAST<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indiennes are Tree of Life patterns.
\nAnd, this one has two things that,
\nfor me, make it stand out from all the other Tree of Life patterns,
\nof which there are thousands.<\/p>\n

When doing a description of an Indienne,
\nat times it is hard to come up with anything new…
\nStylized flowers, blooming from tree branches.
\nGreat.
\nBut, what sets it apart?<\/p>\n

Well, this has several things.
\nThe first is part of the pattern.
\nIt has a tropical tree, reminiscent of a palm,
\nblooming from the main tree branch.<\/p>\n

Second, parts of the branches and trunk are patterned
\nwith what reminds one of an animal hide pattern,
\nechoing the exotic animal motif.<\/p>\n

Third there are the leaopard and the beast!
\nI love the soulful look of the leopard,
\nas well as the intent stare of the beast.
\nThese animals\u00a0have been given distinct personalities!<\/p>\n

Other positive things are the ground cloth-
\nit is woven with a slub,
\nwhich gives variation to the texture,
\nand also to the colors as the slubs take dye differently.
\nSo, there is a slight variation to the coloring.<\/p>\n

And, the background color is a luscious coral tone.
\nAs it is rendered,
\nit is rather unique in the fabric world.<\/p>\n

And, the scale is not too big-
\nit is a very useable fabric.<\/p>\n

Another unique fabric,
\nbased on the Indienne pattern,
\nis the
\nSeashell Indienne fabric.
\nHere the flowers are formed of shells!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"ORANGE
ORANGE SEASHELL INDIENNE FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This also has been woven with a slub,
\nthough a lighter one than the
\nTropical Jungle Beast Fabric.<\/p>\n

What do I love here?
\nThe idea of the use of shells,
\nwhich changes it from a Tree of Life pattern
\nto an Indienne.<\/p>\n

I also like the shells dangling from
\nbranches and twigs.
\nNot only do they emphasize the shell motif used for the flowers and leaves,
\nbut they fill space,
\nmaking the whole pattern more integrated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And the coloring is again unique-
\ntones of purple, orange, and maroon are seen
\nagainst a salmon orange background.<\/p>\n

Again, the pattern is useable,
\nit is not too large.<\/p>\n

We have a lot of animal patterns.<\/p>\n

Every year many exotic animal patterns are\u00a0produced,
\nbut do any stand out?<\/p>\n

I think the exotic animal fabric with
\nextinct birds and beasts does.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"EXTINCT
EXTINCT EXOTIC ANIMAL FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This stood out to us for a couple reasons.<\/p>\n

First, it is a showcase of extinct animals and birds.
\nThere are quite a few animals,
\nall accurately depicted,
\nwhich are now extinct.
\nDarwin’s monkey and, of course the Dodo,
\nare shown, as well as others.<\/p>\n

And, the coloring,
\nalong with the oatmeal background,
\ngives this a vintage look,
\nin keeping with the total concept.<\/p>\n

And, this has a small scale,
\nmaking very useable.<\/p>\n

The polar bear fabric is another unique animal fabric.
\nThere are not that many patterns with polar bears.
\nWe have had three others.<\/p>\n

What I liked about this was the idea of a polar bear,
\nout of hibernation,
\ncoming across snowdrops blooming up through the snow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"POLAR
POLAR BEAR CHALET FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I just liked it.
\nThe houses and trees are snow covered,
\nand yet,
\nhere is a bit of spring-
\nwhat we all look for in late winter.<\/p>\n

The fabric is a really nice bleached linen.
\nThe snow is white, printed over it,
\nwhich gives more depth to the pattern,
\nand emphasizes the feeling of snow.<\/p>\n

This also comes on a natural linen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"POLAR
POLAR BEAR SNOWDROP FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I like Greek key patterns.
\nThey are usually a woven pattern,
\nbut, we have one that is embroidered.<\/p>\n

This is an impressive fabric for several reasons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"BLACK
BLACK SILVER EMBROIDERED GREEK KEY FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, the coloring- it has silver grey embroidery,
\nwith stitching over it,
\nwhich has some shine,
\non a matte black background.
\nSo, there is a lot of contrast between the design
\nand the background.
\nThe embroidery is slightly raised from the background,
\nwhich gives even more definition to the design.<\/p>\n

Second, the scale for a Greek key pattern is fairly large.<\/p>\n

And, third, this has a really crisp look to it.
\nIt is a fabric is for those that want to make a statement!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the most impressive and unique fabrics
\nwe have had is
\nthe Imari fabric.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"ANTIQUE
ANTIQUE IMARI PORCELAIN FABRIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a woven upholstery weight fabric.
\nThe design has layers of antique Imari porcelain plates,
\neach with an intricate pattern.<\/p>\n

This being a woven,
\nwith the number of colors used,
\nand the intricate designs,
\nis what makes this unique,
\nand impressive.<\/p>\n

Truthfully, we have never seen anything
\nelse like this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I hope that this look at why some fabrics
\nstand out from the crowd will
\nhelp people looking for home decorating fabric
\nfind what they truely want in their life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

_______________________________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As many know, I have been trying to catch up with getting small pieces or pieces with flaws online. Some of these have been waiting to be listed for quite some time. As each needs to be inspected, measured, and photographed, the process has given me time to reflect on many aspects of home decorating … Continue reading Unique Novelty Fabrics<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5024"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5051,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024\/revisions\/5051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brickhousefabrics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}