Paisley Fabric
Paisley is the teardrop that travelled the world, and on fabric it has a long and particular history: woven, printed and stitched, it carries the warmth of an old shawl into a modern room. Our paisley fabrics run from antique-looking weaves to bold printed velvets.
Zoffany are the specialists here. Their Rare Textiles collection includes Clyde Paisley, which pays homage to the Scottish tradition of paisley weaving in a merino wool and linen mix, and Caserta Paisley, made entirely from linen in the Lampas tradition and named after the historic silk-weaving region of southern Italy. Elswick Paisley, from the same book, captures the time-worn quality of the archive shawl that inspired it.
Elsewhere, Sanderson recreate a classic paisley in free-flowing crewel work in Curios, and Harlequin take the motif to a dramatic large scale with a foil overlay in Leonida Velvets. Thibaut weave theirs in the Savile collection, and Anna French blend stylised florals and paisleys on pure linen in Antilles. Lewis & Wood's Boho collection is a looser, more relaxed take.
Paisley sits happily with floral fabric, and the stitched and plush versions are gathered in embroidered fabric and velvet fabric. For the history of the motif and how to use it on a wall, read The Teardrop That Travelled the World on Decorating Notes.
