Ever felt the sleek, resilient finish on high-performance activewear or the delicate strength of luxury lingerie and wondered what gives it that magic touch? The secret is often tricot fabric.
So, what is tricot fabric, exactly? It’s a unique warp-knit textile. Forget simple woven rows. Tricot’s loops interlock vertically in a zigzag pattern. This clever construction creates a fabric that’s both wonderfully stable and elegantly flexible.
The Designer’s Secret to Structure and Drape
Think of tricot as the engineered cousin to a standard knit. This special structure gives it incredible stability and makes it run-resistant—a quality discerning Atlanta designers truly value.
Step inside our Buckhead showroom and you’ll understand. We’re not just a fabric store; we’re a resource for Atlanta’s design elite. Tricot’s unique blend of durability and fluid drape makes it a quiet hero in high-end textiles. While its fame comes from apparel, its properties translate beautifully into the luxury furniture you see in homes across Buckhead, Milton, and Alpharetta.
It's a textile that performs as beautifully as it looks. And its popularity is soaring. The global tricot fabric market was valued at US$ 85.7 million in 2024 and is projected to hit US$ 130 million by 2031. Demand is on the rise for a reason.
Key Characteristics of Tricot
At our Atlanta fabric showroom, we geek out on the details. We love showing designers how a fabric’s construction dictates its final application. Here’s what sets tricot apart:
- Run-Resistant: The interlocking warp-knit structure is its superpower. It prevents unraveling, unlike other knits that can run if a single thread is snagged.
- Excellent Drape: It hangs beautifully without being clingy, making it an ideal choice for elegant linings where flow is key.
- Smooth Surface: One side has fine, lengthwise ribs; the other has crosswise ribs. This creates a smooth, often lustrous face that feels incredible.
This technical mastery connects directly to the quality you find in custom upholstery for brands like Verellen or Wesley Hall. It’s a textile that performs. For another example of a fabric defined by its weave, explore our guide on what makes seersucker fabric so distinctive. Understanding these details is what separates good design from exquisite design.
Tricot vs Jersey: A Quick Comparison
To really get tricot, let’s put it head-to-head with a familiar knit: jersey. Think t-shirts. While both are knits, their construction creates wildly different results. This chart is a go-to for designers choosing the perfect material.
| Characteristic | Tricot Fabric (Warp-Knit) | Common Jersey Knit (Weft-Knit) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Loops interlock vertically in columns. | A single yarn creates continuous, horizontal rows. |
| Stretch | Moderate stretch, often 2-way. More stable. | Typically has significant 4-way stretch. |
| Durability | Excellent. Run-resistant and holds its shape well. | Good, but can snag, run, and lose shape over time. |
| Drape | Fluid and smooth; drapes elegantly. | Soft and casual; can be clingy. |
| Common Uses | Lingerie, swimwear, linings, activewear, displays. | T-shirts, casual dresses, bedding, leggings. |
| Edge Finish | Edges do not curl when cut. | Edges tend to curl, requiring finishing. |
See the difference? Tricot's warp-knit structure provides a level of stability that weft knits like jersey can't touch. This makes it an invaluable tool for designers who need the flexibility of a knit with the reliable structure of a woven.
How Tricot Fabric Is Made
To really understand tricot, you have to look at the process. This isn’t your grandma’s knitting. It's a complex, high-speed operation that gives the fabric its unique personality. Forget the single strand of yarn looping back and forth. Tricot is a warp knit, built differently from the ground up.
Think of it like braiding, but on a massive, industrial scale. Hundreds of individual yarns are lined up parallel and looped together simultaneously in that signature zigzag pattern. This interlocking structure is the secret sauce. It’s why the fabric won't easily run or unravel—a huge advantage over other knits.
This precision creates a fabric with a smooth, ribbed face and a more textured back. It's this built-in strength that makes tricot a reliable choice for everything from delicate apparel to the durable linings our clients in Buckhead expect in high-end furniture from Verellen or Wesley Hall.
This quick infographic shows how those parallel yarns come together.
You can see how this organized, all-at-once knitting process is the key to tricot's unwavering structure.
The Technology Behind the Texture
The machines that create tricot are engineering marvels. These sophisticated, high-speed machines manage thousands of threads at once with perfect timing. The quality of the machine directly impacts the finished fabric.
The global tricot machine market hit USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 2.1 billion by 2032. This isn't just industry jargon; it shows the real demand for the precision needed to produce consistent, high-quality designer fabrics. See more about the market trends for tricot machinery on dataintelo.com.
This investment in technology is what allows us to source the kind of fine fabrics Alpharetta designers trust. When a designer from Roswell or Marietta specifies a fabric for a demanding project, they’re putting their faith in this masterful crafting process.
From Knit Structure to Flawless Finish
Once knitted, the fabric goes through a series of finishing steps. This is where it gets its color, patterns, or special properties like moisture-wicking. This last stage turns a well-made textile into a beautiful material ready for custom upholstery or fine apparel.
The result is a fabric with two distinct sides—a tell-tale sign of a tricot knit:
- The Face: Very fine, vertical ribs, giving it a smooth and often slightly shiny appearance.
- The Back: Crosswise loops, often called "floats," which give it a different, slightly rougher texture.
This unique two-sided nature is a hallmark of tricot. It’s this combination of smart engineering and thoughtful finishing that elevates a fabric from merely functional to something truly special—the kind of quality we’re proud to feature in our Atlanta fabric showroom.
The Signature Qualities of Tricot Fabric
So, what makes an interior designer in Roswell or Milton ask for a textile by name? High-performance properties that solve a specific design puzzle. When it comes to tricot, the qualities are so distinct that once you get a feel for them, you’ll start seeing opportunities for it everywhere.
Think about the sleek, hidden lining inside a custom Wesley Hall sofa or the fluid movement of a specialty drapery in a Buckhead high-rise. It all comes back to the fabric’s DNA.
Unmatched Durability and Stability
The first thing designers notice is tricot’s impressive stability. Its warp-knit construction—where threads interlock vertically—makes the fabric inherently strong and run-resistant. Unlike other knits that unravel from a single snag, tricot holds its ground.
This means it won't sag, stretch, or lose its shape over time. For high-end furniture and demanding custom applications, that’s a non-negotiable trait. It’s the reliability that protects your design investment.
An Elegant Drape and Smooth Feel
Tricot is famous for its gorgeous drape. It hangs fluidly and cleanly without clinging, creating those graceful lines we all love.
Its surface is another huge selling point. The face side is incredibly smooth, often with a subtle, luxurious sheen. This slick surface not only feels exquisite but also helps it glide frictionlessly against other fabrics. That’s what makes it the perfect lining.
The secret to a perfectly tailored piece often lies in what you can't see. Tricot acts as the perfect foundation, ensuring the outer fabric—the star of the show—looks its absolute best. It’s the kind of detail that elevates a project from simply finished to truly masterful.
Resilience and Easy Care
Designers working on busy Atlanta households, from Marietta to East Cobb, need materials that perform. Tricot, typically made from hardworking nylon or polyester, is a true workhorse. It’s naturally wrinkle-resistant, which means less fuss and a consistently polished look.
This blend of elegance and performance is what makes tricot one of the most versatile designer fabrics in our showroom. And for the designers in our trade furniture program, knowing a material is both beautiful and resilient is a major win.
Using Tricot In High-End Interior Design
While tricot is a star in activewear, its role in luxury interiors is more of a secret weapon—one that Atlanta’s top designers rely on. Tricot isn't the fabric you see; it's the perfect supporting actor, providing the hidden structure and flawless finish that elevates a project from "good" to breathtaking. When you see a perfectly tailored sofa in a luxury furniture Atlanta home, tricot is probably working its magic behind the scenes.
Think of it as the ultimate problem-solver. For designers tackling projects from Buckhead mansions to sprawling Forsyth County estates, tricot is often the key to achieving that clean, crisp, high-end look their clients demand.
The Ideal Fabric For Linings And Backings
Where tricot truly shines is in its supportive roles.
- Premium Drapery Lining: Tricot adds a beautiful body and a luxurious hand to custom draperies. Its slick surface allows the primary fabric to glide effortlessly, creating elegant, uniform folds without clinging or bunching.
- Upholstery Backing: For delicate or open-weave designer fabrics, tricot is a game-changer. When applied as a backing to upholstery on a Lee Industries chair or an Ambella settee, it prevents stretching and sagging, ensuring the piece maintains its crisp silhouette for years.
The demand for specialized textiles like tricot in high-end applications is growing everywhere, a key part of a global knitted fabric market valued at USD 30.26 billion in 2024.
Inspiring Creative Design Solutions
More than just practical, tricot encourages designers to think outside the box. Because it provides such reliable stability, it opens the door to using more adventurous face fabrics—like fine silks or lightweight linens—that might otherwise be too fragile for upholstery.
Tricot is the silent partner in luxury design. It's the invisible detail that ensures a custom piece from Wesley Hall or Verellen not only looks perfect in our showroom but continues to perform beautifully in a client's home.
To bring this level of detail into your home, it helps to partner with top high-end interior design firms who get it. At our Atlanta fabric showroom, we work closely with designers every day, offering resources through our trade furniture program to help them specify the perfect materials—seen and unseen—for every exquisite project.
Sourcing Exquisite Tricot in Atlanta
Finding the right tricot isn’t just about picking a color. It’s about understanding the subtle differences in fiber, weight, and finish to bring your vision to life. For our clients creating luxury furniture across Atlanta, from Buckhead to Roswell, this is where craftsmanship begins.
Walking into our Atlanta fabric showroom is an experience. We guide designers and homeowners through our curated collections, explaining why a lightweight tricot is ideal for lining draperies, while a more robust blend is perfect for stabilizing custom upholstery.
This is where true quality begins—with the materials that ensure a piece endures for years to come.
A Partnership for Atlanta’s Design Community
We’re more than a fabric supplier. We’re a partner to the vibrant Atlanta interior design community. We understand the demands of projects in East Cobb, Alpharetta, and Milton, where quality and performance are non-negotiable.
This is why our trade furniture program is so valued by local designers. It provides direct access to our team's expertise and an extensive library of designer fabrics. We can help you navigate the options, ensuring the tricot you choose has the right stability for a Wesley Hall sofa or the perfect fluid drape for a custom piece from Verellen.
Choosing a fabric at Lewis and Sheron is a collaborative process. We help you connect the technical properties of a textile like tricot to the tangible, luxurious result your client will experience every day. It's about making informed choices that elevate your design.
Making the Right Selection for Your Project
Choosing the right textile is about matching the fabric's capabilities to its intended job. A tricot backing for a set of Lee Industries chairs will have different requirements than one used in a high-traffic commercial setting.
We’ll help you think through every factor:
- Fiber Content: Will classic nylon give you the necessary slickness, or does a recycled polyester better align with your project's sustainability goals?
- Weight and Structure: Does the design call for sheer, invisible support, or a heavier tricot to provide substantial body?
- Finish and Feel: Is a matte finish needed, or will a slight luster enhance the final look?
These details make all the difference. For a deeper dive into fabric selection, our guide on how to choose upholstery fabric offers valuable insights. Let's find the perfect material for your next masterpiece.
Got Questions About Tricot? We Have Answers.
Even experienced designers have questions about unique textiles like tricot. Here in our showroom, we’ve heard them all. Answering your questions is what we do best—giving you the confidence to choose the perfect material for a home in Buckhead or a commercial space in Forsyth County.
Here are a few questions our design partners ask most.
Can I Use Tricot Fabric for Upholstery?
While tricot is rarely the star of the show, its role in high-end upholstery is absolutely critical. Think of it as the ultimate support system.
For the kind of luxury furniture Atlanta clients expect from brands like Wesley Hall or Verellen, a tricot backing is often used to stabilize more delicate face fabrics. This interlining is a game-changer—it prevents sagging, adds durability, and ensures the piece holds its crisp, tailored shape for years. For certain contemporary pieces, a heavyweight tricot might be a creative option, but we always suggest a consultation first. Drop by our Atlanta fabric showroom to chat about your custom upholstery project.
How Is Tricot Different from Jersey Knit?
Great question. It gets right to the heart of what makes tricot special. The difference is how they’re made.
- Tricot (Warp-Knit): Picture a maypole dance where threads interlock vertically at the same time. This creates an incredibly stable, run-resistant fabric.
- Jersey (Weft-Knit): This is like traditional hand-knitting. A single thread creates horizontal rows of loops. It’s wonderfully stretchy but can easily run if snagged.
Think of tricot as having an engineered, architectural structure. Jersey is softer and more casual. That built-in stability is why tricot is such a trusted resource for Atlanta’s top interior designers.
What’s the Best Way to Care for Tricot?
One of tricot’s biggest advantages is its resilience. Since it’s typically made from nylon or polyester, care is refreshingly simple—a feature our clients from Marietta to Milton appreciate.
We recommend a machine wash on a gentle cycle with cold water. Skip the bleach and fabric softeners. You can tumble dry on low, but for best results, just hang it. It dries remarkably fast and naturally resists wrinkling, so you can usually put the iron away.
Is Tricot Fabric a Sustainable Choice?
The conversation around sustainability is one we’re passionate about. Traditionally, tricot is made from petroleum-based fibers like nylon and polyester. The good news? The industry is making huge strides.
Many of our mill partners now produce high-quality tricot from recycled materials, like rPET made from plastic bottles. We are committed to expanding our collection of eco-conscious designer fabrics. We always encourage designers in our Trade Program to bring their sustainability goals to us. We’ll help you find exquisite textiles that align with your values without compromising on performance or luxury.
At Lewis and Sheron Textiles, our commitment goes beyond just selling fabric. We offer a true partnership built on decades of expertise and an unmatched collection of textiles and furniture. We understand what Atlanta’s design community needs to create timeless, beautiful spaces. Visit our Buckhead showroom or explore our collections online to see the difference quality makes. Discover our full range of fine fabrics and custom services at lsfabrics.com.