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Pattern Matching with Navajo Rugs

Pattern Matching by George Smith

Pattern matching is the art of upholstering furniture by maintaining a continuous or repeating pattern, ensuring the fluidity of the piece. It is one of the most important skills when upholstering using patterned fabric, and at George Smith we have a team of people working together to create a perfect result, every time.

The skill required to precisely pattern match a three-dimensional piece of furniture using a two-dimensional stretch of fabric requires a remarkable degree of creativity and versatility. It is imperative to understand that not all fabric will perfectly match at all seams and folds, as the flow will not always allow it. Therefore we try to find the most prominent part (the hero) to centre the piece around, and work from there.

Navajo Rugs by Atelier Zürich

Atelier Zürich have added two new colours to their stunning collection of “Dhurrie” rugs. Woven from 100% cotton, these Navajo Rugs are available in three different sizes, making them the ideal choice to upholster stools, chairs and sofas. The master upholsterers at George Smith expertly applied these rugs to our furniture, using their finely honed pattern-matching skills to achieve a perfectly symmetrical finish.

Studio Chair

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Mood Board

Selection of the wood colour and nail head details.

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Dividing the Sections

The Chair is separated into a section per Rug in order to optimise the material and minimise off-cuts.

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Applying the Fabric

The sections of the pattern are then digitally laid across the Chair and signed off by the client in order to create the best result.

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The Finished Piece

The final result is a beautiful piece of furniture showing off the best of the pattern design.

The Making Of The Studio Chair

Low Scroll Arm Wing Chair

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Mood Board

Selection of the wood colour and nail head details.

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Sectioning the Chair

The Chair is separated into a section per Rug in order to optimise the material and minimise off-cuts.

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Allocating the Pattern

The sections of the pattern are then digitally laid across the Chair and signed off by the client in order to create the best result.

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Finished Product

The final result is a beautiful piece of furniture showing off the best of the pattern design.

The Making Of The Low Scroll Arm Wing Chair

Top Tips For Pattern Matching

At our workshop we have a team of skilled artisans who have these simple but essential tips in order to create the best and most beautiful results:

  1. The most important thing is to have enough fabric to be able to repeat a pattern and tell a story. If you needed 3m to upholster a non-patterned chair, you could need up to 8m if it requires pattern matching.
  2. Before cutting, we pull out the templates and start planning where we want certain patterns to go. We decide if there is a hero that needs to be centred or important parts to create a continuous pattern and achieve symmetry.
  3. Piping – there are two types which can depend on the amount of fabric provided. Regular piping tends to follow the pattern of the fabric, whereas piping on the bias is cut on the diagonal, and therefore harder to pattern match.

Feeling Inspired?

Browse our made-to-order Catalogue of pieces and we can upholster any fun, eye-catching fabric you wish onto your own piece of George Smith furniture!

George Smith Catalogue

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