1. In the making of anything really, the pattern refers to the template, the form and the directions to follow in order to achieve a completed project. In our world it is the template or the instruction for cutting and then fitting individual pieces of fabric together. The pattern can be your own or one created by others.
2. The pattern might be the model, the bespoke template to be used to make a series in exactly the same size, dimension with the same method, e.g: chair seats, set of cushions, or chair covers.
3. Pattern also refers to a printed or woven design: the arrangement of repeated or corresponding motifs create a pattern. The simplest formats are the repeated motifs of hand blocked printing, which are effectively stamped onto the base cloth, or a dobby weave which raises the weave to create a repeated pattern of ‘dots’.
* Smaller weaves and the weaving techniques themselves create pattern simply by the necessity of repeat if nothing else. The three basic weaves – plain ( tabby), twill and satin, all create their own pattern, which can be more or less dominant, or visible. A twill weave, for example can be woven thinner or wider, to be more or less chunky. A plain weave in very fine silk, for example, will show virtually no pattern – this weave is about purity of form and colour. In a rougher, country silk the same weave produces a very different fabric, with unevenness,varied colour and even bits of the cocoon. The two are so different that they would rarely, if ever, be interchangeable. Same weave, same essential pattern, different result.
* How these three basic weave are combined together to make other patterns is the basis of all textile creation. Weaves such as herringbone, basket, oxford, corduroy, broderie anglais, lace, mesh and all others are made by repeated pattern of one of the basic types.
* Traditional upholstery patterns feature bouquets, vases or circles, with definite design and pattern repeats that match between or half way through the pattern. These were originally woven, for large scale houses, and the damask weaves and designs that we use freely for curtains and covers in cotton, wool and linen and in silk for curtains and wall coverings are the contemporary versions, often in smaller scale, of the originals.
* Pattern can be applied, woven, stamped, even acid etched into the surface by many means.
See also : applique, weaves, devore, acid etching, stencilling, toile to jouy, satin, twill, plain weave, damask, jacquard, lisere , brocade, hand blocked printing, screen printing, roller printing, gaufrage.. etc.