FabBack ® Knit Backing is a process that adds strength, stability, and durability to fabric, making it suitable for use in upholstery or drapery. It also makes the fabric easier to cut and sew, and more resistant to tears or damage due to seam slippage. We apply a layer of soft, pliable knit to the backside of the fabric, using proprietary methods that we have perfected over the last 20 years. Our processes do not alter the original color and appearance of your fabric.
No, it will not. Our knit backing is available in off-white or black. For dark colored fabrics, we use the black backing. For light colored fabric, we use the off-white backing. This is the best way to reduce any color variation for lightweight or see through fabrics.
It varies with the fabric. We try to keep loss to a minimum. As a guideline, please allow 6 inches per roll plus ½ inch per yard for shrinkage and end waste. For example, with an 18 yard roll of fabric, the allowance for loss and shrinkage should be 15 inches. (Actual loss is usually much less)
FabScrim ® Scrim Backing is a woven poly / cotton fabric backing that is heat bonded to fabrics to provide strength, stability and body to the fabric. This backing is little heavier than and not as stretchable as knit backing. This is primarily used on open / loose weave fabrics.
We suggest knit backing to enhance the stability, appearance, and durability of drapery and pillows. Knit backed fabric is more drapeable, allowing graceful pleats and falls. In many instances, knit backing can also eliminate the need for intermediate inner lining. To reduce fading due to sunlight, we recommend adding our UV protection finish. To keep your fabric looking clean and fresh, we suggest adding our stain protection finish.
Yes, we can. We are different than everyone else. We routinely work with the finest silks, embroidered fabrics, and crushed velvets. Our engineers have carefully designed and perfected processes that minimize puckering, bonding separation, grain distortion, and pile crushing. Natural variations such as creases, wrinkles, uneven salvages, shadings, and distortions are corrected by our techniques, thereby improving the fabric's appearance. Your fabric will leave our workroom looking better than when it arrived. Conventional methods used by our competitors do not offer this level of care.
Yes, it will. Our knit backing is securely bonded to the back of the fabric. This keeps the fabric from fraying and provides stability, ease of cutting, body and resiliency.
Yes, we can do that. Our custom fabrication department has successfully knit backed slipcovers or fabricated products. Please provide us with photos and a list of the pieces and sizes. We can then provide you with an estimated cost and timeframe for completion.
Yes, we can add our knit backing to antique fabrics, fabricated slip and cushion covers and drapes. Every case is different. Please provide us with photos and a list of the pieces and sizes. We can then provide you with an estimated cost and timeframe for completion.
Knit backing will improve stability, body as well as wear resistance of lined fabric.
We have successfully knit backed leather, snakeskins and exotic furs like alpaca and mohair. If you have any concerns about your specific case, please send us a sample for evaluation.
We can back fabrics up to 120 inches wide. Please send us a photo and any other information you may have about your fabric. For extra wide fabrics, the roll size cannot exceed 10 yards. We can cut longer rolls into the appropriate sizes for you. For more information on extra wide fabric processing, please contact us.
Knit backing is highly recommended for all upholstered fabric for stability, ease of cutting and sewing, seam slippage and less wear and tear on sewing equipment. Acrylic / latex backing is a liquid back coating that is applied to the back of the fabric and solidifies. This is not suitable for fabrics without DWR (durable water resistant) finish (moisture resistant) and silks because the coating can seep through and stain the face of the fabric. Unlike acrylic / latex, knit backing is a woven fabric which is applied to the back of the fabric using a heat-activated dry adhesive that does not penetrate through the fabric. Knit backed fabrics are also easier to cut and sew as compared to acrylic backed fabrics. This is because the acrylic / latex coating has the tendency to dull cutting edges and sewing needles due to its gummy nature. Therefore, more frequent maintenance of sewing equipment is often required when working with acrylic / latex as compared to knit backing.
Acrylic / latex backing is a liquid back coating that is applied to the back of the fabric and solidifies. This is not suitable for fabrics without DWR (durable water resistant) finish (moisture resistant) and silks because the coating can seep through and stain the face of the fabric.
Unlike acrylic / latex, knit backing is a woven fabric which is applied to the back of the fabric using a heat-activated dry adhesive that does not penetrate through the fabric. Knit backed fabrics are also easier to cut and sew as compared to acrylic backed fabrics. This is because the acrylic / latex coating have the tendency to dull cutting edges and sewing needles due to its gummy nature. Therefore, more frequent maintenance of sewing equipment is often required when working with acrylic / latex as compared to knit backing.
We recommend scrim backing for all very loosely woven fabrics. Scrim backing is a woven fabric, which is more stable than knit backing. Scrim backing is thermally bonded to the fabric, while acrylic backing is a liquid coating. We do not recommend acrylic back coating for silk. Acrylic back coating will come through the loosely woven silk fabric and stain the face of fabric.
Knit backing will provide the necessary strength and stability to maintain the integrity of fabric in stretching and anchoring on the board. It also makes the fabric easier to cut and sew, and more resistant to tears or damage due to seam slippage. We apply a layer of soft, pliable knit to the backside of the fabric, using proprietary methods that we have perfected over the last 20 years. Our processes do not alter the original color and appearance of your fabric.
Applying knit backing to the fabric prior to cutting and sewing will provide stability and crispness to the fabric. This will maintain the fresh look of the fabric and provide excellent drapeability over an extended period of time under various climatic conditions.
Some fabrics can stretch under their own weight or under high humidity conditions. Knit backing the fabric prior to fabrication will stabilize the fabric as well as provide support to maintain the finished length. For loosely woven fabrics, we recommend scrim backing instead of knit backing.
Knit or scrim backing will enhance the wear resistance of the fabric. The extent of improvement varies with fabric and usage. In general, we can expect a 10% improvement in wear resistance.
Knit backing is laminated at a much higher temperature than wash cycle temperatures and is designed to take multiple wash cycles without separation or deterioration.
The adhesive used to bond our knit backing to your fabric is an environmentally safe, formaldehyde-free, odorless compound.
We specialize in plaid, striped, silk, chenille and velvet fabrics. Most stripes and plaids have a small amount of waviness or bowing when we receive them. Our backing process compensates for this, and actually improves the skewing or bowing in the weave. It can never be removed completely. If our inspection finds that your fabric has excessive bow or skew upon receipt, then we can advise you on your options at that time.