Behind the Design: Reversible Fabrics
A bit of magic happens during the weaving process: certain color combinations harmonize unexpectedly, and the back of a fabric can develop a design and personality of its own.
“Sometimes I pick a quality that I know is going to be reversible, Floret is an example of that,” says Rebecca. “It has the same weave structure on the front and back, and so it's truly reversible.” Other times serendipity is at play and a quality sample reveals an equally impactful reverse side. Blocks is an example of this happy surprise. The front of the fabric looks like needlepoint, as does the reverse, but it is a totally different pattern. “It’s geometric, and there’s even a fill yarn that you don’t see on the front that appears on the back and it creates another color,” says Rebecca. “It’s just so beautiful and you’re almost getting two designs there instead of one, which is really fun.”
Other fabrics in the collection where the back works well, too include Raindrops, featuring longer threads on the reverse, and Briar, which features little crosses on one side and a grid pattern on the other. Channels and Arbor both have beautiful backs, but the looser threads mean they are much more delicate and would be better for a pillow than everyday upholstery like the front. “We've seen designers use the backs in really beautiful ways, and it's where I think there's a lot of opportunity to create a layered and unique room,” muses Rebecca. She even used the reverse of Blocks, in Mist/Taupe, in her own home.
The other beauty of playing with reversible fabrics: they interject subtle color variations into a room, creating depth and dimension. “I like the idea of using multiple versions of one color in a color palette,” Rebecca says. “Maybe you do your throw pillows in the reverse of the fabric and your sofa on the other side. It adds a layered feeling that also feels natural like they're linked.”
In order to be able to offer these options, Rebecca considers the combinations early in the process. She narrows down the six or so shades we launch with from hundreds of samples. During this early phase, she carefully checks the backs of the fabric to see which ones resonate with her the most. “If there's two blues I like, but on one of them the back is much more interesting, that's the one I'm going to choose,” she says.
It’s worth noting that we sell our fabrics with a designated face— so that means during production, the mill is only inspecting one side for flaws. “We don't have a lot of flaws on these fabrics,” says Rebecca, “but it's important that if someone wants to use the back, they let us know so that we can review that side of the fabric as we cut your order. We like to be on the safe side.”
We can’t wait to see how you use our reversible fabrics and the design possibilities they spark. We always love to see photos of your projects whether in progress or completed. As always, email our sales team with any questions.
Explore our wovens collection to see the reversible fabrics we offer!
