What is the difference between an “up the roll” fabric pattern and a “railroaded” one?
A fabric pattern will run one of two ways: “up the roll” or “railroaded”. This is an important issue when the same fabric is being used for two distinct purposes: draperies and sofas. Imaging making draperies with a “railroaded” fabric whose stripe runs left-to-right or side-to-side. If you want the stripe to hang vertically, the length of the draperies will be limited unless you sew in a seam. On the other hand, an “up the roll” fabric would require seams if it is to span the length of your sofa. The next time you are in a room with matching upholstered furniture and draperies, the drapery fabric is mostly likely running “up the roll” and, if you look closely at the upholstery, you may be able to see the seams.
A fabric pattern will run one of two ways: “up the roll” or “railroaded”. This is an important issue when the same fabric is being used for two distinct purposes: draperies and sofas. Imagine making draperies with a “railroaded” fabric whose stripe runs left-to-right or side-to-side. If you want the stripe to hang vertically, the length of the draperies will be limited unless you sew in a seam. On the other hand, an “up the roll” fabric would require seams if it is to span the length of your sofa. The next time you are in a room with matching upholstered furniture and draperies, the drapery fabric is mostly likely running “up the roll” and, if you look closely at the upholstery, you may be able to see the seams.
