Ottoman Fabric: History, Properties, Use, Care, Where to Buy

An Introduction to Ottoman Fabric

Ottoman fabrics are a popular material to be used for upholstery applications. A particular weaving method gives the fabric its ridged appearance and texture. 

The fabric can be composed of cotton as well as silk fibers. The elegant textile is a hefty fabric first made in Turkey and characterized by plain crosswise ribs. 

KEY TAKEAWAY

• Ottoman fabric is a popular material used for upholstery applications due to its ridged appearance and texture.
• The fabric originated in Turkey and is characterized by plain crosswise ribs. It can be made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers.
• Ottoman fabric has various uses, including daily wear, home décor, spa and washrooms, sewing projects, and dyeing. It can be cared for by hand washing and ironing, and it can be purchased from fabric and garment retailers or online platforms.

What is the History of Ottoman Fabric?

As early as the fourteenth century, Bursa was host to the Ottoman velvet and metal-ground silk industries, which created most of the Ottoman luxury velvets and silks. Patterns such as lampas, which combine twill and satin patterns with two warps and two or more matching wefts, were the chosen designs at that time.

By the fifteenth century, Ottoman weaving facilities had become firmly established in Bursa. These workshops produced a large percentage of Ottoman luxury velvets and silks, both for internal and international markets.

The fabric particularly came to light during the reign of Suleyman I or Suleyman “The Magnificent.”  During this era, stylized floral motifs became popular and aided the development of the Ottoman style.

However, Istanbul’s loss of central authority in the 17th century led to a reduction in the number of royal enterprises and commissions. 

Ottomans that were once exclusively made for the court and safeguarded by sumptuary restrictions now became available for purchase by anybody with the financial means. Hence, the fabric that was considered a luxury became available to all.

Properties of Ottoman Fabric

• It has a ribbed structure
• It is slightly stretchable
• The fabric is durable and thick
• It is lightweight 

How is Ottoman Fabric Made?

You can either weave the material or make it out of cotton or silk cloth. The fabric can also be composed of synthetic fibers like rayon or polyester. 

The fabric usually has a plain crosswise rib structure. The width of the ridges is variable. This woven  Ottoman fabric has a particularly rigid drape and thick ribbed construction. 

It tends to slide at the edges like other corded textiles, where the weft and the warp are irregularly matched in length to produce a stiffened impression. However, the weaving technique is essential for forming the cloth and its robustness.

Where is Ottoman Fabric Made?

Most of the Ottoman fabric is produced in Turkey, where the fabric originated. Apart from the country of origin, the fabric is also produced by Asian countries, including China. China is the market leader in textiles in the world, and most raw goods are sent there to be made into finished products.

Common uses of Ottoman Fabric

Ottoman fabric is used for various garments along with different products.

Daily wear

Ottoman fabric is used in women’s apparel to make evening dresses, gowns, and legal dresses. Men’s wear is used to make formal coats and formal attire. Silk ottoman is also used for heavy-duty outwear. 

Home décor

It can be used as a decorative accessory in your dining room. Other uses include using it as a footstool, coffee table, sofa bed, and table. Decor, chairs, scarves, coats, and other pieces of apparel and ceremonial garb all incorporate Ottoman design elements. 

Spa and washrooms

The tiles in restrooms, spas, and other wellness centers commonly feature Ottoman design elements. When it comes to the primary hues, you’re likely to see aqua, aquamarine, and sky blue shades.

Sewing with Ottoman fabric

Ottoman fabric is a versatile fabric that needs to be sewn with care. The stretchable fabric can be easily cut using a rotary cutter and sewed. One should use the correct sewing accessories and sewing notions and supplies for a perfect result.

When sewing patterns and designs on the fabric, ensure your seams are well-trimmed. The sewing threads used can be All-purpose or cotton, depending on the composition of the fabric. You should use the best sewing machines available like the Brother SE600 for the best results.

Keeping these little tips and tricks in mind, you can easily sew your Ottoman fabric according to your taste and preference.

Dyeing with Ottoman fabric

Even though dyeing Ottoman fabrics may seem unheard of, it can be done. Designers and customers with unique tastes and preferences can benefit from the process.

The fabric can be dyed depending on the composition of the fabric. If made using cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers, the Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye can be used as the best fabric dye available.

How to care for Ottoman Fabric?

Ottoman fabrics aren’t so hard to care for and can easily be washed and ironed without a hassle.

Washing

• When it comes to cleaning ottomans, nothing beats a good old-fashioned hand wash.
• Two capfuls of Delicate Wash or a spritz in cool water will suffice.
•  To ensure that the soap is dispersed uniformly throughout the water, place the object in the water and swirl the water with your hands in light and slow motion.
• Up to 20-30 minutes can be spent soaking the fabric in the tub of water.
• If you want to machine wash, set the machine to a delicate cycle and the spin to low.
• You can add gentle fabric softeners if you want to the textile.
• The fabric can be dried by air-drying it on a flat exterior.

Ironing

• Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric on the wrong side.
• Use a low heat setting and a press cloth. 
• Use pins to ensure the fabric stays in place.

Where to buy Ottoman Fabric?

Ottoman fabric can be acquired from fabric and garment retailers. Clients can also acquire Ottoman fabric from online retailers and websites like https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB and Amazon, which have the best Ottoman fabric available, like the unique Sunbrella Dimensions or the colorful ArtCo Novelty Home Décor.

It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;

• By yard
• By Inches
• Can be cut to order

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Ottoman is a fairly versatile, woven fabric that, depending on the weight, can be used for both home décor projects, or also for sewing apparel items and garments. Ottoman fabrics usually feature some sort of texture- usually a ribbed pattern in the fabric that can be more pronounced, or sometimes hardly discernible. Ottoman fabric can range from lightweight to very heavyweight and can be made from both natural and synthetic fibers.

Best Ottoman Fabrics

Here are our ottoman fabric reviews.

1. ArtCo Novelty Home Décor

This line of Ottoman fabric is available in almost sixty different prints! The fabric is finely woven and has a slight texture. Ottoman is often used for household décor items and this fabric would be a good choice for different kinds of window treatments, bedding, accents like toss cushions, and even for some upholstery projects.

• Machine wash, tumble dry on low heat
• This fabric is a poly/cotton blend made from 75% cotton and 25% polyester
• Fabric is lightweight

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

2. Laura & Kiran Running Stitch Woven White on Black

This ottoman fabric is medium to heavy weight and is woven with yarn-dyed cotton fibers. Ottoman fabrics usually have some texture and this fabric features a slightly ribbed feel. Ottoman fabric can be used for all sorts of home decor projects. It is a great choice for many different kinds of window treatments, some upholstery projects, and for accents like pillows.

• Available in 54” widths
• Made from 100% cotton
• Fabric is dry clean only

3. Sunbrella Dimensions

Sunbrella fabrics are quite unique, as they can often be used for both indoor and outdoor projects. Sunbrella fabrics also come with many great properties that are designed to help them last longer outdoors. This ottoman fabric is fade-resistant, pill-resistant, and very soft. The fabric actually has 41,000 double rubs and is easy to clean.

• Fabric can be machine washed
• Fabric is heavyweight and is available in 54” widths
• Made from 100% Sunbrella Acrylic

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

4. Trend Style: 1528

Like many other ottoman fabrics, this fabric has a slight ribbed feel. Ottoman fabric is popularly used to sew different projects for the home. This fabric would be a good choice for window treatments, some upholstery, bedding, accessories, and more.

• Fabric is a blend of 51% cotton and 49% polyester
• Dry clean only
• Fabric is medium to heavyweight and is available in 55” widths

5. Fabricut Style: Highlight Velvet

This very heavyweight fabric is soft and luxurious like velvet, but ribbed with the signature ottoman ribs. Because this fabric is so heavyweight, it could be a good choice for different upholstery projects, but could also be used to make matching accents like toss cushions and pillows. This line of fabric comes in over twenty different colors.

• Fabric is a blend of 82% viscose, 11% cotton, and 7% polyester
• Fabric is dry clean only
• Comes in 58” widths

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

Ottoman Fabric Buying Guide

There are many different lines of Ottoman fabric. Each fabric line is unique in weight, composition, and care instructions. Some lines of ottoman fabric are quite versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors, while most lines can be used indoors for many different home-related projects. Ottoman fabric comes in both solid colors and many different kinds of prints as well.

Caring for and Laundering Ottoman Fabric

Every line of fabric will have its own care instructions. Ottoman fabric can be made up of different fibers, so the care for the fabric will largely depend on what it is made of and any special properties the fabric might have. Some ottoman fabrics are dry clean only, while others can be washed in the washer and placed in the dryer on low heat. Others can be washed in the washer only. Be sure to check the care requirements for each fabric so that you can properly care for completed projects, and also so that the right type of fabric is purchased for each project.

Budgeting for Ottoman

Some of the more budget-friendly ottoman fabric lines range around the fifteen dollars per yard mark, while others are going to cost around thirty dollars per yard. Some luxury fabrics might cost as much as around ninety dollars per yard. Getting the right type and weight of ottoman fabric for your project is key. Since ottoman is usually a heavier-weight fabric, it can sometimes carry a higher price point. That said, the more budget-friendly lines do have many different colors and prints available for purchase as well.

Recommended Reading:

• Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
• Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
• Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
• Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
• Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

Conclusion

The Ottoman fabric has been around since the early 1500s and has played a vital role in being used for various accessories and products worldwide. 

Sources

• Sewing channel style
• Wikipedia
• Hunker
• metmuseum
• Brosa