PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND APPLICATION

Lesson 16: Textile Designs for Household Linens

Bed linen

1. Mattresses:- These are important constituents of a bedroom and play a vital role in providing proper comfort and sound sleep to a person. Mattresses may be of two types i.e. homemade and readymade mattresses. In homemade mattresses cotton wool is used as a filling material while in readymade mattresses cotton, jute, coir, polyester and other manmade fibers are used for filling. Designs ranging from floral to geometric or stylized are used in mattresses. Prints are colorful and attractive.

• The mattress cover – They protect mattress and the fabric used is muslin which can be printed, or in pastel colours.

2. Bedspreads and bed sheets:- To make a bed attractive enough to sit on, it has to be covered with a beautiful bed sheet. There is specific difference between bed sheet and bed cover. A bed sheet is laid directly on the mattresses and is used to cover it. It is the sheet one lies on. A bed cover or bedspread, on the other hand is the cloth that is spread over the bed sheet and used to protect the bed sheet as well as to adorn the bed. The quality of a bed sheet is adjudged by the number of threads per square inch of material (thread count). The higher this value the softer the sheet is. Traditionally, bed sheets were white and made of cotton. Flannel bed sheets have gained popularity because they give warm hence suitable for the winters. Blended fabrics are being increasingly opted for because they do not wrinkle. Silk and satin are primarily luxury fabrics. Their soft texture and plush look are very appealing; but they require dry cleaning which is tedious and expensive.

Bed sheet designs

• Floral prints
• Ethnic Indian motifs
• Abstract and Geometric design
• Animal motifs
• Baby themes (cartoons, floral, etc.)
• Linear patterns like checks, stripes

The prints come in several colours, ranging from light pastel hues and delicate sprays to bold and vibrant shades and loud designs.
Bed linen is often bought as part of a bed sheet set or independently. A bed sheet set usually comprises of a bed sheet, pillow cases and sometimes matching cushions. Bed sheets are available for both single and double beds. The items in a bed sheet set have matching colours and patterns that is, the design on the sheet may be repeated on the pillow edge or corners. Alternatively, the bed sheet set could also have items in contrasting colours. These are equally attractive.

Traditional Indian bed sheets are characterized by their ethnic block prints, batik and tie-dye patterns and embroidery. Often Indian bed sheets are so beautifully patterned that there is no need to use a bed spread to adorn the bed (Fig.16.1).

3. Comforters, quilts and blankets:-

1. A comforter is basically a luxurious thick, fluffy blanket filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and can be used as bed cover or mattress pad to achieve a much higher level of comfort and warmth (Fig.16.2 a).
2. A quilt is a thick embroidered blanket made of two layers of fabrics with a layer of batting of cotton, wool, feathers in between; all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative crisscross design. Designs vary from contemporary, traditional to south western, also classic floral patterns to geometric designs with subtle, modest colour schemes to bold, vivid colours (Fig.16.2 b).
3. Blankets provide comfort and warmth. This can be more enhanced more if the appearance of blanket is superior. Woven designs such as check and stripe patterns are mostly seen in conventional blankets. Cut pile blankets with large floral, geometric and cartoon patterns are also in vogue. Warm and dark colours are more preferred (Fig.16.3).

4. Pillow covers:- A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed. Pillow covers are simply fabric encasements that protect the pillow placed inside the cover. Embroidery on pillow cases personalizes the bed linen. Rhythmic floral designs in light colours are mainly used in embroidery. Decorative printed designs are also available in pillowcases e.g. floral prints and stylized motifs. Mostly pillow covers come with the bed sheet with the matching designs and pattern. Individual pillow covers are also available in the market including plain, hand or machine embroidered, appliquéd, plain with lace work etc. (Fig.16.4).