It’s the reason you want to touch it. It’s called the drape of a piece of fabric, the natural fall, the graceful folds, and appearance that the fabric is flowing. Fabrics are designed with specific end uses in mind. Carpeting, wall cloths, and canvas bags are examples of fabrics that do not have drape, they are meant to remain rigid when in use. Fabrics that will be worn or slept under need to move with you. A fabric that will flow across your body has good drape. Origin Of The Word Drape The original drapers were tailors, and draping a...

When you're packing up the car this summer for the beach, don't forget the sunscreen, beach toys, chairs, umbrella, and snacks. But instead of packing beach towels to lay out on, try one of our linen or linen/cotton day blankets, which are perfect for the beach! Canyon Day Blanket, recently featured in the New York Times 1. Sweat wicking If you choose one of our linen blankets, they will help keep you cool and wick sweat from your body as you soak up the rays. Not only that, but our linen blankets will dry quickly if you decide to take a dip in the...

KNITS A knit fabric is constructed with one continuous yarn that is looped in rows. Consecutive rows interlock and a fabric is created. The result is a cloth that moves in many directions, some might call it stretch. When we think of knits we identify sweaters, mittens, t-shirts, stockings and leggings, dresses, and active sportswear. The constituent fiber and quality of a yarn contribute greatly to the stretch and recovery of the knit fabric. Nylon is well suited for stockings as it is durable and very flexible. Cotton is perfect for knit fabrics that drape comfortably. Flax is very stiff...

Here at Brahms Mount, we offer both day blankets and throws. But what is the difference between the two? Many of our customers ask us this very question and, while the differences may be subtle, they are certainly there. The Personal Day Blanket Affectionately known as the PDB around our mill, the personal day blanket is useful for covering you, head-to-toe. Therefore, these blankets tend to be larger than our throws and will typically be used on beds or a number of other functional places. The hem is another significant difference between the two textiles. At Brahms Mount, our personal day blankets are always hemmed. The Throw...

Have you ever noticed how words can weave new meaning? These phrases are called idioms; a group of words that have meaning not directly related to the individual words. Many have been in use for hundreds of years. Have fun reading these popular sayings whose words have original meaning in the textile and fabric trade. A Stitch In Time Dates back to 1732. Don’t procrastinate! Thought to originate from the mending of clothing. A stitch in time saves nine! One stitch now saves attending to many more later. Has Me In Stitches Has anyone ever told you a story that...

A Bit of History Long has it been since the industry of textile products left behind its humble beginnings in natural dyes, but such growth and expansion has only proven to strengthen this facet of the fabric world. Historically, dyes came from nature, with primary sources consisting of animals or plants. The majority of these came from roots, berries, bark, leaves, wood, and other organic, naturally occurring substances such as fungi. Archaeologists have even found evidence of textile dyeing going back to the Neolithic period, otherwise known as the New Stone Age, which began around 10,200 BC. In China, there...

A blanket statement is one that is all encompassing, a declaration that has unlimited scope in its purpose to sweep all points of view under one umbrella. Some might say it discounts diversity. A blanket statement is clearly not the same as a blanket that makes a statement!! A BLANKET HOLDS SIGNIFICANT MEANING By definition, a blanket is much more than a fabric you sleep under. It is a symbol of warmth and friendship. The action a wrapping someone in a blanket is a real statement of kindness and a demonstration of honor. In Native American traditions a blanket is...

What size blanket should you buy for your platform bed? Here are some guidelines and considerations. Comfort First and foremost, when you buy a blanket, your choice should be governed by the correct size for the mattress. After all, the quality of your sleep comes first. We all have different sleeping positions. Maybe you sleep on your side, stomach, or back. Perhaps you sleep with a toe peeking out, a whole leg over the covers, or your arm completely exposed to the air. Do you prefer the security of tightly tucked bedding? All of these options are considered when blanket...

Congratulations! You're the proud new owner of a Brahms Mount blanket. Whether cotton or linen or a blend of both, you'll love how easy it is to care for your new throw. Cotton Blankets and Throws Washing A front loading machine is ideal to give plenty of room for circulation. Wash on a short, gentle cycle on low heat, with as much water as possible to allow for movement. Avoid harsh detergents. Use a liquid detergent without bleach or brighteners. Always pre-dilute your detergent. Drying Careful drying is very important. Tumble dry on delicate setting, medium to high heat. Tumbling helps keep a soft drape....

A Chevron is a modification of a Herringbone, though some might say a herringbone is a variation of a chevron, and that would be true too! These ubiquitous zig-zags have roots that date back to 1800 BC and after 3815 years of popularity it’s no wonder they are thought of as being very closely related. There is evidence of these patterns dating even further back to North American Indian basketry. The Herringbone design is named for its resemblance to the skeleton of a Herring. That’s right, a fish. It has Celtic roots dating back to 600 BC with the traditional...

The history of textile mills in America seems an unlikely topic of national interest, but within their history you can find the cornerstone of our Industrial Revolution. The mechanization of labor was not an option for textile weaving until shuttle looms were introduced in England, transforming one of the country’s main exports and changing the relationship between man and machine forever. The shuttle loom’s design was a lucrative secret which England maintained under threat of treason. However, a brilliant rebel by the name of Samuel Slater took a chance and became America’s “Father of the Industrial Revolution.” Looms In the 1700’s, both...

Credit: Plow and Hearth plowandhearth.com including Brahms Mount editorial notes. We’ve come a long way in bedroom décor since the Egyptian pharaohs first moved their beds up off the ground around 3400 BC! One of the easier and more cost-effective ways to give your bedroom a whole new look includes selecting all-new bedding. But with so many bedding types out there, how do you find the ones that are best for you? What makes shopping for new bedding even more confusing is the myriad of unfamiliar terms used to describe and classify the different types and styles. (What’s the difference between a quilt and...