Ticking is a tightly woven fabric that's typically made from cotton or linen, and is often used for home furnishings:
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- Appearance
Ticking is usually striped, with a bold color stripe on a cream or white background. The weave is often herringbone, with a feathered edge that makes the stripe appear larger. -
UsesTicking is a popular choice for curtains, blinds, upholstery, and other soft furnishings. It can also be used as a backing for quilts and coverlets, or as a decorative basket liner.
Durability
Ticking is durable and resistant to wear and tear. The tight weave prevents stuffing from poking through, and the fabric can be waxed, soaped, or starched to make it even tighter.
History
Ticking was originally used to cover mattresses and pillows, before open coil, pocket sprung, and memory foam became more common. The American design legend Sister Parish is credited with making ticking mainstream when she used it for curtains in her own home.
The word "ticking" comes from the Latin word tica and the Greek word theka, both meaning "covering".
