To help you select fabric that will result in a top-quality
custom look for your Custom Shop upholstered furniture,
we've put together the additional guidelines below.
NON-RAILROADED FABRIC:
Generally, fabric patterns are printed or woven vertically
along the bolt. Since most fabrics are 54" wide, a sofa
upholstered in a vertical-print fabric will usually have
two seams, as shown in Figure 1. (Please note:
upholstering with vertical-print fabrics generally requires
more yardage than is needed with horizontal-print
fabrics; see below.)
RAILROADED FABRIC:
Sometimes, the fabrics pattern is printed
or woven horizontally across the bolt
(see Figure 2).
Such horizontal-print fabrics can
be "railroaded." In upholstery
terminology, this means that the fabric
runs across the furniture horizontally,
thereby eliminating vertical seams and
providing a more professional look, as
shown in Figure 3.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
{
{
54"
54"
2 SEAMS
REQUIRED
NO SEAMS
REQUIRED
5568 West Chester Rd. · West Chester, OH 45069 · 800-367-2775 · www.ballarddesigns.com
OP227 08/06
ABOUT "RAILROADED" FABRIC IN CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY
