Tufted and Laced Fabrics Overview

Tufted Fabrics

• Tufted fabrics are made by combining a foundation cloth and tufts.
• The foundation cloth is usually a woven fabric, often plain weave, made of cotton, wool, or jute.
• Tufts of fibers are inserted into the open spaces of the foundation cloth.
• Tufts can be inserted manually or using a machine.
• Tufted fabrics are soft with low tensile strength.
• Production takes longer than woven fabrics as the woven fabric is made first, then the tufts are inserted.
• They are bulky.
• Limited designs are achievable.
• Dyeing and printing are difficult.
• Tufts are often dyed before insertion to the foundation cloth for coloured effects.
• Tufts are hard to repair once removed.
• Common uses: carpets, rugs, mats, bed covers, tablecloths, and decorative fabrics.

Laced Fabrics

• Lace is an openwork fabric formed by intermeshing yarns.
• Intermeshing can be done using knitting needles, bobbins, shuttles, or crochet needles.
• Until the early 1800s, lace was handmade, referred to as 'Real Lace.'
• Modern lace looms produce lace in large quantities at lower costs.
• Lace has a low cover as it's an openwork fabric.
• Properties are similar to knitted fabrics.
• Dyeing is possible, but printing isn't.
• High elasticity; stretchable.
• Common uses: shawls, scarves, decorative additions to other fabrics (stitched on), curtains, and various textiles.

Braided Fabrics

• Braided fabrics are made by interlacing three or more yarns (or strips of cloth/straw) over-and-under.
• Similar structure to woven fabrics, with a good covering effect.
• Narrow width compared to woven fabrics.
• Relatively easy to dye and print.
• Produced cost effectively at scale.
• Common uses: belts, cords, shoelaces, ribbons, hats, braided rugs, trims, and some tubular fabrics (hose pipes, ropes, etc.).