Railroaded vs Not Railroaded Patterns
Unsure of the difference between railroaded and up the roll fabrics? Let's sort it out!
First, let's closely examine the fabric, noting key terms like roll, bolt, length, yard, selvage edge, width, and pattern.
Anatomy of a Bolt of Fabric
Bolt: Fabric rolled on a cardboard tube is called a bolt or a roll. This is how we ship all orders, rolled onto a bolt.
Width: The bolt's width is a set measurement determined by the equipment in the manufacturing process. The most common widths in the textile industry are 54", 72" and 118". All of our standard fabrics are 54" wide and some of our sheer fabrics range up to 118".
Length: Fabric length is measured in yards (1 yard = 36 inches). Our orders are shipped by the yard, so you can choose how many yards you need for your next project.
Selvage: The selvage edges are formed during textile manufacturing to prevent fraying. They are usually cut off and not used in projects, but can sometimes be used as a unique design feature.
Railroaded VS Not Railroaded Patterns
Patterns are repeating images that are either printed on top of fabric or woven into fabric. There are two directions a pattern can run on a roll of fabric: Railroaded and Up the Roll. Let's unpack what each one means and what applications are best for each type.
Railroaded: Pattern direction runs from selvage to selvage. They run across the roll, sometimes abbreviated to RR.
RAILROADED PATTERNS ARE GOOD FOR:
•When you don't want visible seams
•Projects that need continuous, uninterrupted patterns for the width
•Upholstering furniture with wide seat cushions, no back cushions, large bench cushions, or headboards
Not Railroaded: Pattern direction runs parallel to the selvage. They run up the roll, sometimes abbreviated to UTR.
UP THE ROLL PATTERNS ARE GOOD FOR:
•Projects the needs conitnuous, uninterrupted patterns for the length
•Drapery (yardage amount needed depends on the height of your windows)
In summary, railroaded vs not railroaded patterns refer to the direction that patterns appear on fabric. Either option can work for a variety of projects, but it's helpful to know what direction the pattern runs when planning out a project so that you can plan where seams will appear (or not appear!).
Any questions? Leave a comment below!
