From french looms to fashion fame, we’ll explore the craft behind the comfort of elegant matelassé fabric.
What’s the history of matelassé fabric?
This quilted queen’s name is derived from the French word for “quilt”, matelasser. Born from a mid-18th century traditional weaving technique invented in Britain, matelassé was inspired by the intricate hand-quilted cloth Marseille artisans produced during the Rococo movement that was typically used in bedding and women’s clothing . In fact, Britons originally called it “Marseilles cloth” but the French renamed it matelassé and it stuck! After the invention of the jacquard loom in the very early 1800s, workers were able to greatly increase production to bring the richly textured cloth to the masses.
Regal Fabrics leaf vine matelassé fabric for home, pattern R-BECKY
How is matelassé fabric made?
Matelassé is made still made on industrial jacquard looms to create a raised pattern with a lofty look that resembles quilting. Made with three or four sets of yarns – two regular warp and weft, and the other(s) crepe or coarse cotton yarns, creating a quite complex woven structure that requires all yarns to connect at the same time to produce a certain design. The yarns crisscross when woven, then the cotton ones shrink during the washing process to create the signature puckered pattern. Many matelassés are made from cotton, but you’ll also find polyester, silk, wool, and any blend of natural and synthetic yarns.
Matelassé designs range from geometrics to floral and other more involved patterns for versatile looks from modern minimalism to refined traditional. Unlike quilts, matelassé isn’t stuffed with batting and only uses a single layer of fabric to produce a lighter, more streamlined look. However, the fabric can vary from light and airy to heavy and cozy depending on materials used in construction.
What are the best uses for matelassé fabric?
Its complex woven structure gives matelassé a comforting softness, superior durability, and washability, making it a natural fit for quilts, bedding, pillow shams, throw pillows, and more home decor and furnishings.
Some Regal Fabrics Matelassé Selections:
R-BELLA GRASS
R-BECKY INDIGO
R-BRITTANY INDIGO
R-BETH BUTTERCUP
R-GRIFFIN SAGE
R-BETSY ONYX
R-TRAYMORE MINERAL
R-EAGLE BROWN
R-EVEREST GOLD
R-EMERY GREY
R-ELAINE CREAM
R-EXCEL SAND
R-GODIVA INDIGO
R-GREETINGS TAUPE
R-GLAMOUR INDIGO
R-GILBERT INDIGO
R-GIBSON SAGE
R-GEENA SAGE
R-GALAXY CORNSILK