Pattern Match

A pattern match is a measurement that repeats within a determined measurement size. The focal point will be the same manufactured focal point throughout the design at the correct predetermined measurement. 

The designs can be scaled anywhere from large scale wall designs or small-scale repeatable designs, and can be manufactured on a variety of substrates. The designs can be evenly produced or have a variety of shapes, lines, circles that can be set up to create a pattern match within a specific area. 

Directional or Non-directional

When a pattern is inverted 180 degrees and appears to look the same when rotated it is classified as a non-directional pattern. If the pattern appears upside down, then the design is a directional pattern. 

When wallcovering installers are installing materials, it is important to determine if the materials are a random repeat (non-directional) and to invert every other strip to ensure the non-directional pattern does not produce a shading issue when installing. If the design is a pattern match, but non-directional, the panels still require inverting and also matching the design to the previous panel. Think of it as a faux finish design vs a polka dot design. The polka dot design would need to be hung to match the previous panels, while the faux finish design could be reverse hung and not be required to match a pattern.

Choosing the Right Scale

When designing a pattern, consider the scale and size that the finished product requires. Are you using it for a full-scale window design 5’ x 12’ or a pillow sized 12”x12”? Based on the size of your interior concept, you need to design the scale of your pattern to fit the space needed. While it would be simple to manufacture pattern-matched fabric for some products, others, like drapery with multiple darts and shaping, may require additional time when the work room is manufacturing the drapery.

Purchasing Extra Fabrics

When matching a pattern, it is important to purchase extra materials in order to ensure matching the pattern design. The larger the scale, the more yardage will be needed due to the design repeat. It is always better to order more than needed in the event you have not calculated the correct yardage due to the pattern scale. While you can always order more, you may not receive the same dye lot of material creating a color mismatch, so the best practice is to order more than you think you might need the first time.