ticking stripe
Emily Oster
Ticking fabric (more commonly known as ticking stripe) originated as a tightly woven textile that was used to cover mattresses and bed pillows. Ticking is the general term for a heavy cotton or cotton and linen blend fabric designed to prevent feathers from poking through upholstery and pillows. It is distinguished by its classic print of thinly spaced vertical stripes on a white or beige background. Today, the utilitarian print has become a classic, highly recognizable design and one of my personal favorites. I think it is simple, works well with almost any style and is usually quite inexpensive. I would use it for upholstery, curtains, bedding - pretty much anything. Below is a sampling of ticking fabric inspiration.