Page 21 - IFV September Issue 2025

popular varieties, including short-staple, three main reasons: they determine
long-staple and extra-long staple, like your comfort level; they create the visual
Egyptian, Turkish and pima. Long-staple and aesthetic appeal of the furniture
cotton refers to the length of the fibres in they cover; and they determine the
the cotton ball (the fuzzy ball-like fruit of maintenance required. The cost of
the plant), which make for shorter, more your fabrics can represent the largest
durable cotton fabrics – which is why they percentage of the cost of your furniture,
often cost more than short-staple cotton so it’s important to know your budget
garments. Cotton, depending on how beforehand – because choosing wisely
manufacturers use it, has varying levels of can increase your furniture’s durability and
softness and warmth. save you future expenses.
The latest information on upholstery
Denim textiles includes advancements in
Denim is a fabric traditionally made with materials, weaving structures and
100% cotton using a unique weaving recycling practices, as well as the impact
technique. It’s widely known for its use in of these on efficiency and sustainability.
jeans, jackets and other clothing items due There is a growing emphasis on using
to its strength and versatility. The name recycled materials and minimising
‘denim’ is believed to originate from ‘serge waste in upholstery production. Some
de Nimes’, a fabric from Nimes, France. researchers are focusing on using textile
waste for other applications, such as
Linen acoustic insulation.
Linen is a natural material made from the The variety of upholstery fabrics
flax plant. It is one of the oldest and most currently available to the manufacturer is
prized natural fibres. It requires a lot of almost limitless. There are the traditional
attention during its cultivation because wood and cotton fibres, which have proved
the usable fibre is embedded between the their usefulness over centuries, as well
outer bark and the core of the plant’s stem. as viscose and a multiplicity of synthetic
Harvesters extract the linen by letting the fibres, including nylons, polyester,
outer bark rot and dry. Then they break acrylics, polyethylene, polypropylene and
away the decayed bark to obtain the combinations of any or all of these.
fibres inside. Linen is difficult to work with There are further variations in colour,
(the fibre is not elastic and breaks easily), shade, pattern and texture. While these
but it is highly valued for its considerable variations add to the choice available to
strength, its ability to wick moisture and its the consumer, if not properly controlled,
elegant appearance. they can cause problems for the unwary
upholstery manufacturer.
Upholstery fabrics
Sources: www.fibre2fashion.com, www.nbcnews.com
The fabrics used for upholstery (furniture, https://museum.gwu.edu/fiber, https:// www.unido.org
fabrics, etc.) play an important role for https://en.wikipedia.org

The Villager • September 2025 • 19