When working with fabric, it’s helpful to know some technical terms. Eastern Accents offers a variety of fabrics, ranging from plain solids to bold patterns, plaids to polka dots, and many, many more. As you browse, you may notice the terms “Railroaded” and “Up the Roll” labeling patterned textiles. These terms indicate the direction in which the patterns run in relation to the bolt’s selvage, or “frayed” edge of the fabric.
But what exactly is the difference between an up the roll and railroaded fabric? Here are some helpful hints to differentiate between the two, and discover what best suits your needs.
Railroaded vs Up the Roll
RAILROADED (RR)
- Pattern runs horizontally, perpendicular to the selvage
- Commonly used in upholstery, ideal for large surfaces
- Pattern is limited by the width of the fabric bolt
Examples of Railroaded fabrics
UP THE ROLL
- Pattern runs vertically into the roll/bolt, parallel to the selvage
- Uninterrupted vertical length, limited in terms of width
- Commonly used in drapery
- Prevents horizontal seams in bedding and window treatments
Examples of Up the Roll fabrics
Drapery
So, a railroaded fabric runs horizontally and an up the roll fabric runs vertically. Let’s see how this makes a difference when in use. When making curtain panels, up the roll fabrics are far more common. As shown below, an up the roll pattern will flow down the length of a drapery, making a window appear taller. Using a railroaded fabric results in a horizontal pattern across the curtain panel, resulting in a bolder, more unique look.
Bedding
Bedding made with Railroaded fabric
Bedding made with Up the Roll fabricCrafting duvet covers and comforters from patterned fabric gets a little more complicated. Detailed above, large bedding pieces require multiple pieces of patterned fabric to be sewn together and carefully matched at the seams. It’s important to be aware of the direction of the fabric in these cases, as it will affect the overall look of your bed.
Upholstery
Fabric orientation matters most in upholstery projects, with railroaded fabrics being the more common choice. Let’s see this in action below. The railroaded fabric is turned horizontally, then runs across the width of the headboard. This construction is seamless and allows the pattern to flow uninterrupted.
An up the roll fabric will require several vertical seams to cover the width of a headboard. Our master upholsterers take the utmost care when matching patterns, to ensure the final product is as close to perfect as possible.
To recap, railroaded fabrics run horizontally and up the roll fabrics run vertically. Both orientations can work with many different products, but it is important to know when planning. If you have any more questions, please contact our customer service department and we will be happy to assist you!
FAQs
How do I find the repeat of my fabric?
A fabric's repeat is the amount of space between where a pattern begins and ends, both vertically and horizontally. Repeat information, content, and care instructions can be found in the "About This Item" section of a fabric's webpage. To obtain more specific information about Eastern Accents fabrics, please contact Customer Service.
Can I get a swatch of fabric?
At Eastern Accents, we understand designing is a visual process. Fabric and trim swatches are available upon request to help you choose just the right textile. You can log in to order online. Swatch information can be found in the "About This Item" section of a fabric's webpage. We offer 3x3 and 12x12 swatches to help visualize patterns and repeats. Trim swatches are only available in 3" pieces. We are always happy to assist you further in our Customer Service Department.
