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Best Railroaded Fabric by the Yard

Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard

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Black Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Gray Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard White Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Neutral Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Brown Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Gold Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Red Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Orange Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Yellow Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Green Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Teal Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Blue Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Purple Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard Pink Railroaded Fabric - Best Railroading Fabric by the Yard

What Is Railroaded Fabric?

The term railroaded fabric refers to the way the fabric pattern is woven at the upholstery fabric mill. As demonstrated by the image with the striped fabrics shown below, observe the way the stripes run on the roll. The same layout option will apply to any directional pattern.

If you look at the image below, you'll notice that the regular or left sofa has its fabric pattern running up the roll, which is the typical way upholstery fabric is produced. In this orientation, the pattern or grain, in the case of velvet, runs up and down the fabric roll. On the other hand, the sofa on the right the fabric is railroaded meaning the fabric is woven so that the pattern or grain runs across the width of the fabric, from one side to the other, as shown in the picture.

What does it mean for fabric to be railroaded?

As you can see from the image, normal fabric or non railroaded fabric can be applied so the patterns runs vertical or horizontal across your sofa. The same can be done with railroaded fabric so you may ask your self: Why does it matter then?

In certain cases, the standard 54" or 60" fabric width, the entire width may not be sufficient to cover the entire span of a piece of furniture. For example, if you have a very long cushion that exceeds the fabric's width, you may need to use a railroaded pattern to avoid having to add seams. The same may also apply to sofa backs. In some cases, using railroaded fabric can be more efficient even for smaller spans because the pattern may be intricate and hard to match.

It's possible to railroad some upholstery fabrics, even if they weren't specifically woven that way. Certain fabrics such as cotton, plain tweed, and vinyl don't have an "up" or "down" orientation. With vinyl fabric, it doesn't matter which way you use it, unless it has a pattern. Some patterned fabrics may also be able to be railroaded, depending on the fabric. For example, a geometric design like a "square" or "diamond" could be oriented in either direction, but you should examine the fabric in both directions to ensure that the appearance is consistent. However, chenille, sheer fabrics, and velvet typically cannot be turned sideways to be railroaded. Fortunately, many chenille and velvet fabrics are already railroaded for this reason.

What is the difference between railroading and pattern repeat?

Railroading and pattern repeat are two terms commonly used in the fabric and textile industry. While they are related to each other, they refer to different aspects of fabric design and production.

Railroading or railroaded fabrics refers to a technique used in upholstery or drapery fabrics where the fabric is turned sideways, so the pattern runs horizontally across the width of the fabric, rather than vertically. Think of it as vertical stripes and horizontal stripes. This technique is used to create a seamless look across the fabric surface and to avoid visible seams in the final product. Railroading is often used in upholstery fabrics for furniture, where the fabric needs to cover a large area and a continuous pattern is desired.

Pattern repeat, on the other hand, refers to the way in which a fabric's design or pattern repeats itself across the width and length of the fabric. A pattern repeat can be a simple repeat, where the design repeats itself in a regular pattern, or it can be a complex repeat, where the pattern is more irregular and may have different sized motifs or designs.

In other words, railroading or railroaded fabric is a technique used to change the orientation of a fabric's pattern, while pattern repeat refers to the way in which a pattern is repeated across the surface of the fabric.