Anyone who works in surface pattern design will quickly become familiar with different types of textiles and fabrics. It is part of a designer’s skill to estimate what kind of materials will best suit their patterns. Or they may be asked to design a range of patterns for one specific sort of fabric.
Textiles and Fabrics – Viyella
In our varied collection of original vintage textile designs, some of the patterns were intended for certain textiles. For example, ‘Clockwork‘ and ‘Toffee Apple‘ were created with the fabric Viyella in mind. This blend of 55% Merino wool and 45% cotton was first developed in 1893 by James and Robert Sissons. It had a twill weave and was the first branded fabric. Although Viyella is no longer produced, the Goldcrest Gallery artists were using this fabric in the 1970s. It was warm and soft, like flannel, and very suited to autumn/winter fashions. ‘Toffee Apple’ and ‘Clockwork’ have rich autumnal colours and gentle rounded shapes which were ideal for Viyella.
Calico
An alternative colourway to ‘Clockwork’ was designed in the 1970s, which we have called ‘Calico‘. This is because it was silk screen printed onto cream unbleached calico fabric. This plain woven textile has a natural appearance and is made of 100% cotton. Because it is completely untreated or processed, it is very inexpensive. Designs for calico fabrics are usually small florals or geometric shapes.
Wincyette
We have a very pretty pattern in our range of greeting cards called ‘Wincyette‘. This is a cotton fabric which is brushed on the surface, sometimes on both sides of the material. The soft warm texture which results is called napped flannelette. Because of its breathability and warmth, wincyette is the fabric of choice for winter nightwear, sheets or shirts. Our ‘Wincyette’ pattern would be particularly suitable for children’s nightwear.
Velvet and Cotton Lawn
Two of the Goldcrest Gallery greeting card designs have names which play on particular fabrics. Although it is primarily a 1950s wallpaper design, ‘Tudor Velvet‘ references the rich crimson backround of the pattern. This is similar in appearance to plush velvet. Similarly, ‘Cotton Lawn‘ is a pretty, contemporary textile design, which recalls the striped effect of a garden lawn. Its title plays on the word ‘lawn’, which is also the name of a special cotton fabric. Cotton lawn fabric is woven with high thread count yarns, and this gives it a silky smooth texture. It can be very fine and slightly transparent. As a result, it is an ideal textile for summer clothing.
Have a look at our lovely greeting cards and fine art prints, which include many beautiful textile and fabric designs!