Antique Finnish and Swedish Ticking Fabric
Our Nordic mattress fabrics come from ancient bolsters, used as a mattress or even as a duvet. We also have old down-filled cushions.
Elin Liljefors syr på ett bolster, Svartbäcksgatan 37, kvarteret Edda, Svartbäcken, Uppsala 1900 - 1901 Source: Europeana
History
Bolstervar or Patjapussi. Names to refer to mattress covers. They were simple bags, or kind of sacks, they were closed on three sides and open on one, through which they were filled. The filling depends not only on the time, but above all on the social position and the use that is going to be given to it. A variety of fillings were used, from straw, hay or even seaweed to the most delicate down. Going through the fillings of sheep wool or curly horsehair.
The first bolsters are simple sacks. Later seams are made forming transverse areas that are filled independently. The word bolster designates both the straw bag that serves as the base and the down bag that is used on top of the straw bag to lie on it or also to keep warm.
What Makes Them Special
The material used in these bolsters is cotton linen and hemp and even plain weave wool (older) or twill or sateen. Although the oldest ones are of a single color, it is usual to find them in striped fabrics of very varied colors. Longitudinal or transverse stripes following the plot.
The shape of the bolster is normally simple, without the shape of a box, which makes the fabric more usable. Some have reinforcing leather details on the corners or pompom-type wool details.
Uses and Inspiration
Bolster fabrics are very dense fabrics to contain the down filling. This makes them suitable for upholstery projects. The cushions already made as they are will bring a bit of history and a lot of color and comfort to our sofa or armchair, or another place in the house.
