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Pattern Designs

Glossary of fabric pattern designs, fabric motifs and themes. Design of fabrics with information about each style of fabric. Click on the picture to browse fabrics similar to the design pattern.
Abstract
Abstract

Abstract fabrics typically feature designs and patterns that are indefinite and unrecognizable and cannot be described in any other way.
Animal Skin
Animal Skin

Animal skin fabrics are just that, fabric and not the real thing. These types of fabrics are typically made of polyester if it is a faux fur and a myriad of other fiber types if it is an animal pattern that is printed or woven.
Anthemion
Anthemion

The Anthemion design motif resembles the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree typically with as a half-palmette, bisected vertically that is very commonly found in plant-based scroll ornamentation. Originating in ancient Egypt and found on the architectural reliefs, frieze, borders and ceramics in relics and museums still found there today. Although Egypt is where the Anthemion pattern originated, the word is a derivation of a Greek word meaning flower.
Awning Stripe
Awning Stripe

Awning Stripes were originally made from heavy woven cotton duck or canvas fabric and had their stripes either painted on, printed or yarn dyed. Designed to cover windows from the sun they are today also used for apparel and as home decor fabrics. Usually brightly colored, awning stripes are wide, being at least 1 1/2 inches in width and much wider, as well as sometimes being accompanied by narrow stripes running alongside the wide stripe.
Bamboo Lattice
Bamboo Lattice

Bamboo Lattice is a pattern depicting bamboo made into an architectural structure with an open intersecting framework of interwoven, crisscrossed latticework.
Barcode Stripes
Barcode Stripes

Barcode stripe fabric is a striped fabric with a series of parallel lines of varying widths and spacings and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional and other than coloration looks very similar to the universal barcode found on product coding.
Basketweave
Basketweave

The Basketweave is a simple cross cross diagonal, horizontal or vertical pattern in a variety of checkered designs resembling that of woven baskets.
Batik
Batik

Of Indonesian origin, batik fabric is made using what is known as resist dyeing. This dyeing process uses wax that is spread onto the fabric where dye is not wanted with the unwaxed area taking on the dye color. A veined effect in the design is achieved with the cracking of the wax.
Birds Eye
Birds Eye

The Birds Eye is a weave forming small-scale geometric design, typically a diamond shape with a dot in the center of each suggestive of the eye of a bird. A slightly larger design of a similar style but with a somewhat bigger weave is sometimes referred to as pheasants eye.
Bohemian
Bohemian

Bohemian fabric lets your inner gypsy be a little dilettante or free of regard for conventional rules and practices as this style lets you mix and match whatever you want to complete the feel of your vagabond lifestyle. "
Botanicals
Botanicals

Botanicals have woven patterns and prints relating to plants and the study of plants including botanical gardens, along with patterns whose designs show a realistic illustrative representation of herbs, garden plants, and other botanical objects.
Boteh
Boteh

Boteh fabric is an ornamental design taken from a Persian word meaning bush, shrub or cluster of leaves. Today the paisley pattern is the most common design found in the Boteh fashion which features a teardrop shaped leaf with a curved end.
Brocatelle
Brocatelle

Brocatelle of French origin is a variant of Damask and was initially a coarse brocade used chiefly for Tapestry. Brocatelle, similar to Brocade is made on a Jacquard loom as a heavy crossed ribbed upholstery fabric or drapery fabric with padded effect images in high relief meant to simulate Italian hand tooled leather effects.
Broken Flamestitch
Broken Flamestitch

Reproducing aesthetics of Eastern and Middle-Eastern textiles entering Italy the Flamestitch pattern was influenced by the ikat. The Flamestitch pattern has traditionally been a broken needlepoint stitch produced in a zig-zag pattern that resembles the irregularities of burning flames of a fire. A Flamestich should not be confused with a Bargello which does have some of the same characteristics but whose patterns are different.
Bulls Eye
Bulls Eye

The Bulls Eye pattern consists of concentric circles sometimes creating optical effects, such as movement or pulsation or a simple small or large black dot at the center of circles similar to the center of a target used in target practice.
Calico Floral
Calico Floral

Originating in Calcutta, India the Calico Floral pattern is a small floral pattern (originally a Lotus) often made of inexpensive cotton fabrics with the floral design typically being made of a bright solid color on a white or contrasting background occasionally with up to 3 colors used.
Cartouche
Cartouche

The Cartouche pattern originating in Egypt is an oval or oblong design resembling a frame, shield, or scroll often with a rounded, convex surface that is sometimes used as a standalone element but usually surrounded with ornamental scrollwork for receiving a painted or low-relief decoration, bearing an inscription or emphasizing a design element. "
Celtic Knot
Celtic Knot

Celtic Knots sometimes called and Icovellavna or Triquetra a symmetrical triangular ornament of three interlaced arcs. In Celtic mythology, knots symbolize the sacred geometry of the universe and its interconnectedness with early Christian understanding viewing the symbols as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Chevron ZigZag
Chevron ZigZag

A Chevron pattern is similar in design to a zig zag with its inverted V-shaped design. The word is usually used in reference to a kind of fret in architecture, or to a badge or insignia used in uniforms. The difference between a Chevron and a Herringbone pattern is in the zig-zag joint. stripes meeting at an angle.
Chinoiserie
Chinoiserie

Chinoiserie is a style of patterns in Chinese motifs which may display intricate patterns of fretwork to pagodas, botanical floral designs and exotic Oriental scenes.
Clamshells
Clamshells

Clamshell patterns are a form in design resembling the shell of a clam, sometimes with scale patterns in overlapping arcs known for their symmetry and repetitive curves.
Contemporary Greek Key
Contemporary Greek Key

The Greek key pattern due to its continuous line can be formed in both left and right angles in vermicular type Contemporary Greek Key patterns in truly meandering continuous lines whose designs create modern and contemporary Greek Key styles.
Conversational Design
Conversational Design

A pattern that has a recognizable Motif. An example would be patterns with repeating animals or objects.
Coral
Coral

The Coral pattern can take on as many shapes as coral itself whether in its living form singularly or in colonies with its hard calcareous or horny skeletal deposit, flowing membranes and skeletons collectively forming reefs and coral islands often in bright reddish, deep pink.
Damask Frame
Damask Frame

Originating in Damascus, Syria in the Byzantine and Arabic weaving centers of the early Middle Ages, Damask Fabric is a reversible fabric made of linen, silk, cotton, or wool, traditionally woven with patterns of grand floral designs and heraldry, Damask is typically used for tapestry, table linen and upholstery.
Damask Medallion
Damask Medallion

The Damask Medallion pattern has the same characteristics of other damasks but with the Damask Medallion, you will find various sized circular and oval medallions whose inner designs encompass florals, heraldry, chinoisserie and any number of other exotic design characteristics.
Diamond Curve Ogee
Diamond Curve Ogee

Similar in design to a typical Ogee pattern, the Diamond Curve Ogee has a softer diamond-shaped pattern typically inside the onion design with the double continuous S-shaped curving concave and convex line that outlines the ogees onion and diamonds striped patterns still winding its way up the pattern.
Ditsie Leaf Sprigs
Ditsie Leaf Sprigs

A Ditsie (ditsy) Leaf Sprig pattern is an allover repeating pattern of very small leaves, sprigs, buds, florals, circles, fruits, foliage, and other very small cute designs.
Dogs Tooth
Dogs Tooth

Dogs Tooth fabric also known as houndstooth fabric features a medium sized broken check pattern typically of two contrasting color combinations.
Dots
Dots

The Dot pattern can be any number or perfectly circular patterns that are filled in with a solid color. Dot patterns traditionally were small round marks in an evenly distributed pattern or irregularly distributed designs, with today dots being of various sizes.
Embroidered Trailing Florals
Embroidered Trailing Florals

The Embroidered Trailing Floral pattern consists of climbing or following along no particular design vining floral patterns that have been embroidered as opposed to printed.
Ethnic
Ethnic

Ethnic patterns are typical of a specific nationality, culture, religion, language, or characteristic whose designs are based on folk art and designs originating from that group.
Ethnic Toile
Ethnic Toile

Toile is a French word meaning canvas or linen cloth. When using the word it could mean the fabric itself or a repeating pattern on the same piece of fabric. Ethnic toile is a repeated pattern on the same cloth with ethnic images.
Faux Animal Prints
Faux Animal Prints

While the word Print denotes that the pattern of an animals skin has been printed on textiles, this may not be the case as many fake or faux animal skin patterns are also woven and the term Faux Animal Prints is often used generically to mean one and the same.
Faux Bois
Faux Bois

Faux Bois pattern or fake wood incorporates a variety of wood grained looks including stumps and other woody elements into its design theme.
Feathery Medallions
Feathery Medallions

The Feathery Medallion pattern resembles an ornamental medal design but with Medallions resembling feathers.
Figurative Design
Figurative Design

This design is typically showing humans or animals in a heavenly display."
Fleur de Lis
Fleur de Lis

A stylized flower of the lily of three or four petal design, the Fleur de lis was originally a symbol of purity. Originating in France during the middle ages the fleur de lis also spelled fleur de lys has been used in heraldic ornamentation.
Floral Lattice
Floral Lattice

The Floral Lattice pattern typically consists of interlacing and crossed strips of wood or metal usually arranged in a diagonal pattern with open spaces between the cross-hatched strips, although latticework patterns may consist solely of floral and foliage.
Floral Ogee
Floral Ogee

Similar to a typical Ogee pattern, the Floral Ogee will also have a striped onion-shaped pattern but it will consist of a floral and its double continuous S-shaped curving concave and convex line may be more free-flowing and take on the shape of foliage and vines softening the more finite onion design.
Floral Paisley
Floral Paisley

Originally of Persian design, Paisley derived its name from Paisley, Scotland where it was widely adopted and woven with wool into scarves and shawls. The floral paisley pattern features a teardrop-shaped leaf with a curved upper end in combination with intertwining flowers.
Floral Stripes
Floral Stripes

Floral stripes patterns offer bouquets of floral choices in some of the most beautiful designs with flowers and leaves lining up in gorgeous bands in a variety of different modern to traditional striped fabric choices.
Floral Toile
Floral Toile

While Floral Toile has about 6 distinct definitions we shall deal with the most widely used and thought of one today. Since toile is the French word for fabric, this is in reference to floral fabric; however, typically printed on a base cloth in one color only which depicts a scene or in this case florals. Toile is sometimes referred to as toile du Jouy.
Foulard
Foulard

The Foulard pattern originated in France and is made up of small-scale patterns with a block repeat of plain or a twill weave with a printed design.
French Country Toile
French Country Toile

Original the French Country Toile pattern typically had a country scene printed in a single color on an ivory colored textile. Today you will find some lovely toile patterns with several colors added.
Fret Pattern
Fret Pattern

The Fret pattern often used as an ornamental border can take on many variations with geometric designs and interlocking motif with bands or lines that meet at right angles. These types of fret patterns are very similar is not sometimes identical to the Greek key pattern.
Fretwork
Fretwork

The Fretwork pattern is similar to lattice and decorative iron work but typically has a finer ornamental filigree design and today offers not only traditional but abundant modern adaptations as well.
Geometric Circles
Geometric Circles

Patterns consisting of Geometric Circles display simple curvilinear lines typically in oblong circular designs.
Geometric Dart
Geometric Dart

The Geometric Dart pattern comes in a variety of shapes and angles resembling or employing the regular simple rectilinear lines, shapes, or figures used in geometry whose designs depict abstract arrow or dart shaped patterns.
Geometric Fretwork
Geometric Fretwork

The Geometric Fretwork or Geometric Lattice pattern comes in a variety of shapes and angles resembling or employing the regular lines and shapes, simple rectilinear lines or figures used in geometry along with designs depicting abstract, nonrepresentational shapes such as lines, circles, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, and polygons."
Gingham Check
Gingham Check

The Gingham Check pattern is a checkered pattern typically of two colors in a smaller check. It has a checkered history as several countries lay claim to its origination.
Glen Check
Glen Check

The Glen Check pattern or Glenurquhart check features a woven twill design of small and large checks and like Herringbone somewhat resembles a saw-blade.
Global Moroccan
Global Moroccan

Inspired by Roman mosaics the Global Moroccan design features a circular mosaic tile effect pattern.
Graph Check
Graph Check

Checked pattern resembling graphing paper.
Greek Key
Greek Key

The Greek key pattern also present in Roman art is often called the Greek Fret or Meander and is used in decorative border and architectural design. The pattern is created by a continuous line forming right angles and patterns, similar to squared waves with the Greek key design symbolizing waves, the four compass points or four seasons, infinity or the eternal flow of life.
Harlequin Diamond
Harlequin Diamond

The Harlequin Diamond pattern is a classic geometrical diamond design typically in highly contrasting colors such as black and white.
Herati
Herati

The Herati pattern originated in Herat, Afghanistan. It is composed of a flower inside a quadrilateral figure having only its opposite sides and angles equal or a rosette in diamond surrounded with Acanthus leaves.
Herringbone
Herringbone

The Herringbone pattern also called chevron is a traditional woven twill weave or printed design of Vs that zigzag in a vertical slanting stripe layout.
Honeycomb
Honeycomb

The Honeycomb pattern was inspired by natures special insect the bee and features hexagonal patterns of various sizes.
Houndstooth
Houndstooth

Houndstooth fabric also known as dog tooth fabric features a medium sized broken check pattern of jagged checks typically of two contrasting color combinations.
Ikat
Ikat

Originating in Indonesia, Ikat fabrics are made using the resist dying effect with the yarns being dyed and typically repeatedly dyed into various color variations in which the patterns are created. In woven ikat fabrics both sides of the fabrics faces have patterns. Printed ikat fabrics will only exhibit a pattern on one side. Today ikat often resembles a flamestitch western design.
Interlocking
Interlocking

An interlocking pattern is a design that is created in such a way that it cannot be separated without changing the overall design.
Jacobean Floral
Jacobean Floral

Jacobean Floral patterns are considered an intensification of the Elizabethan era and as such tend to feature designs with large and very colorful florals.
Kilim
Kilim

The Kilim pattern originated from the Persian coarse-woven blanket
Latticework
Latticework

The Latticework pattern typically consists of interlacing and crossed strips of wood or metal usually arranged in a diagonal pattern with open spaces between the cross-hatched strips, although latticework patterns may consist solely of floral and foliage."
Leaves Diamond
Leaves Diamond

The Leaves Diamond pattern contains diamond designs with leaves.,
Madras
Madras

The Madras pattern originated in India and it is typically made from a light fabric of various weaves in multi-colored plaids as well as stripes.
Medallion
Medallion

The Medallion pattern resembles an ornamental medal but fabrics with the Medallion design resembling a variety of various objects.
Mille Fleurs
Mille Fleurs

The Mille Fleurs pattern is French for a thousand flowers.
Mini Check
Mini Check

The Mini Check pattern is similar in style to the gingham check but has a smaller scale of even sized checks usually of one color with white.
Modern Squares
Modern Squares

Modern Squares patterns include a wide variety of square and rectangular shaped designs in styles for todays modern lifestyle.
Mosaic
Mosaic

The Mosaic patterns design features small colored fragments similar to inlaid tile, stone or glass.
Ogee
Ogee

An Ogee, also called gula is an onion-shaped pattern that has a double continuous S-shaped curving concave and convex line that outlines the onion usually as a striped pattern that can appear as an S shaped profile or more onion-like depending upon color combinations.
Ogee with Scrolls
Ogee with Scrolls

An Ogee, also called gula is an onion-shaped pattern that has a double continuous S-shaped curving concave and convex line that outlines the onion usually as a striped pattern that can appear as an S-shaped profile or more onion-like depending upon color combination; however, an Ogee with Scrolls may have the ornamental scrollwork either inside or alongside the onion design.
Ombre
Ombre

The Ombre pattern means shaded in French and is the gradual blending of one color hue to another, usually by varying the color from light to dark.
Onion Ogee
Onion Ogee

The Onion Ogee pattern or Gula has an onion-shaped pattern with a double continuous S-shaped curving concave and convex line that outlines the onion usually as a striped pattern that can appear as an S shaped profile or more onion-like depending upon color combinations.
Optical Art
Optical Art

Optical Art patterns refer to modern designs which visually appear to have an artistic appearance.
Optical Diamonds
Optical Diamonds

If you like modern styled diamond designs then the Optical Diamonds patterns are what you are looking for.
Oriental Lattice
Oriental Lattice

The Oriental Lattice pattern is similar in design to wooden fretwork found in Chippendale style furniture.
Paisley
Paisley

Originally of Persian design, Paisley patterns feature a teardrop-shaped leaf with a curved upper end. Paisley derived its name from Paisley, Scotland where it was widely adopted and woven with wool into scarves and shawls.
Pencil Stripes
Pencil Stripes

The pattern called Pencil Stripes has lines that are as small as pencil drawn lines with spacing normally being wider than the lines themselves.
Persian Carpet
Persian Carpet

Global and ethnic
Pin Check
Pin Check

Pin check is a pattern created with pin sized stripes that cross in a vertical and horizontal design to form tiny checks that appear as dots from a distance. The Pin Check pattern generally consists of one color set against white.
PinStripes
PinStripes

Pinstripes are a pattern of very thin pin sized stripes of any color running in parallel lines.
Plaid
Plaid

The Plaid pattern also known as Tartan and check fabric consists of differently colored crossing bands and stripes at right angles.
Polka Dots
Polka Dots

The Polka Dot pattern consists of circles of various sizes and colors arranged at equal distances.
Quatrefoil
Quatrefoil

The Quatrefoil pattern meaning four leaves consists of a panel like ornament composed of four circles or lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center resembling a flower.
Regency Stripes
Regency Stripes

Regency Stripes are the same width and colors alternating between light and dark.
Roman Stripes
Roman Stripes

Roman Stripes patterns feature bright contrasting vertical stripes.
Scroll
Scroll

The scroll pattern offers designs in both modern and traditional designs offering rolls or compound curves with short bent curves with a spiral form.
Scrolling Lattice
Scrolling Lattice

The Scrolling Lattice pattern is a combination of the lattice design and the short curved spiraling rolls found in scrollwork.
Scrollwork
Scrollwork

Scrollwork patterns can be modern or traditional and offer designs that have a rolled or compound curve in the form of a scroll with short curves.
Scrollwork Leaves
Scrollwork Leaves

The Scrollwork Leaves patterns feature designs that feature leaves intertwined with a roll or compound curve.
Seashore Beach
Seashore Beach

This design has a motif of beach items such as shells, fish, sand, coral, sea birds, and other items you would find near the shore.
Serpentine Stripes
Serpentine Stripes

The Serpentine Stripes pattern has wavy lines giving the effect of flowing seaweed or reptilian movements.
Shepherds Check
Shepherds Check

The Shepherds Check has smaller sized houndstooth checks of two colors.
Snowflake Medallions
Snowflake Medallions

The Snowflake Medallion pattern resembles an ornamental medal but fabrics with the Snowflake Medallion design resembling various ice crystals. "
Sprig
Sprig

The Sprig pattern features a small spray of tossed twigs, flowers or leaves.
Stipple
Stipple

A stipple design is a pattern or image made up of tiny dots or spots.
Striae
Striae

Striae patterns are typically only found in upholstery fabrics as their horizontal stripes of varying sizes are made with thick fibers that form furrows and ridges.
Stripes
Stripes

Stripe patterns consist of parallel vertical lines of various widths and colors.
Sunburst
Sunburst

The Sunburst pattern also known as the Starburst features a burst of the suns rays radiating out in all directions.
Tapestry
Tapestry

Tapestry patterns offer pictorial designs in heavy weight upholstery fabric.
Tartan Plaid
Tartan Plaid

Tartan Plaid patterns are checkered or crossbarred with lines and narrow bands of bright colors so as to form a definite plaid pattern. Originating from the word tiritar which means to shiver, now primarily refers to patterns of Scottish origin.
Tattersall Check
Tattersall Check

The Tattersall Check is an open patterned check with regularly spaced thin lines of multiple colors on a light background.
Tone on Tone Checks
Tone on Tone Checks

The Tone on Tone Check pattern is made by the use of by vertical and horizontal stripes of the same color but in different colored hues that criss-cross each other to form a checkerboard design.
Trefoil
Trefoil

A Trefoil is a pattern of a three-petal flower, lobe or leaf divided by cusps radiating from a common center and originally looking like a 3 leaf clover. Architecture an ornament composed of three lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center. Trefoil is the general name for many common types of clover and in ancient Heraldry it is shown with a stem.
Trellis
Trellis

The Trellis pattern consists of cross-barred work or latticework which also referred to embroidery in the mid-1940s.
Tropical Leaves
Tropical Leaves

Tropical Leaves fabrics feature lush, pleasant refreshing summery tropical leaf patterns in fabrics that many times have the flowers of other tropical plants leaves showing. Fabrics with tropical leaves are a great way to make a theme room or home.
Two Tone Stripes
Two Tone Stripes

The Two Tone Stripe pattern consists of vertical lines of variable widths in two colors, most typically the same color family but in a different shade. "
Unbalanced Stripes
Unbalanced Stripes

Asymmetrical stripes with no clear center.
Undulating Stripes
Undulating Stripes

The Undulating Stripes pattern consists of wavy vertical lines or bands reminiscent of undulating seaweed in the ocean.
Vermicelli
Vermicelli

The Vermicelli pattern and spaghetti have a lot in common as they are both squiggly and wiggly as they worm their way around.
Vermicular
Vermicular

Vermicular is a pattern that is made of one continuous strand making a pattern similar to the movements of a worm.
Watercolor
Watercolor

The Watercolor pattern or design while typically executed by using the watercolor technique is often imitated in fabrics by the printing process which simulates the look of actual watercolors..
Windowpane Check
Windowpane Check

The Windowpane Check pattern got its name from its extra large checks resembling the size of traditional window panes.