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Home / THE RETAILER'S QUICK GUIDE TO TICKING STRIPES

The Retailer’s Quick Guide To Ticking Stripes

Ticking Stripes are to farmhouse, country and cottage decorating what oxygen is to astronauts or boots are to cowboys: absolutely, positively essential to the whole plan.

Generally speaking, people are opinionated about ticking stripes. A common reaction within the ticking stripe tribe is “I LOVE TICKING STRIPES!” A ticking stripe enthusiast is all in. These traditional, bygone days, more-innocent-times, thin lines always look at home on pillows, on beds, on windows, on tables…Wherever goodness, decency, and good old American values can find their footing, the ticking stripes are right alongside them. Ticking stripes are comfortably nestled into the home textile lexicon the way iced tea graces a Southern table – it’s there, and you’d miss it sorely if it were not.


The eternal question: Is a ticking stripe ONLY the thin line version, a very matter-of-fact but narrow definition (like Champagne is only from France, otherwise it’s “sparkling wine” etc.). Or, is a ticking stripe ANY generally acceptable vintage-looking narrow stripe that could have also be seen on a mattress cover?? Is it a single stripe – more like a cabana stripe in small scale – or is it the thin-thick-thin version that we use more often than not at VHC? Is it all small stripes? How many variations are there? Is there a secret book we can look at in some old mill for mattresses in New Jersey? If it was in New Jersey, would we go? (JK to any retailer or buyer from NJ!) The answers are not clear; it’s more like pushing fog, subject to interpretation and perspective.


Every product development round, we find ourselves saying things like “What about a ticking stripe?” in the same way an 8-year-old asks for ice cream for the 100th time in a summer – it just seems like a great idea, totally fresh, and always right, but still classic.


We have several variations of ticking stripes we have used as either accent or focal-point fabrics in many of our ongoing programs. Below are a few product or ensemble honorable mentions for VHC home textile enthusiasts to ponder:


Sawyer Mill

One of our most popular collections, Sawyer Mill , freely uses the ticking stipe as a reoccurring pattern in almost every piece. Expressing itself in different ways as well as coming in various colors, the ticking stripes in this iconic look bring a farmhouse, vintage feel in blue, red, and charcoal, appearing with one wider stripe between two narrow stripes.


Sawyer Mill Charcoal brings a subtle grey and cream stripe, while its blue and red collections each contrast with a soft white shade to make a gorgeous ticking stripe statement that adds warmth or serenity to any space. Choose between Sawyer Mill Red, Sawyer Mill Blue, and Sawyer Mill Charcoal for a refreshing update in this classic, farmhouse motif.

Prairie Winds

For a sage and tan ticking stripe, try our Prairie Winds bedding ensemble with its timeless feel and meadow-like color scheme. These earthy ticking stripes keep the traditional design with two narrow stripes framing a slightly wider one. Used as the base fabric of our decorative “Blessed” and “Home” pillows, the soft stripe makes a wonderful accent to your farmhouse or country-style home.


The patchwork, of our Prairie Winds quilts and shams, uses the sage and tan ticking fabric to great effect, allowing for the pillowcases, one of the euro shams, and our dust ruffle to be completely patterned with the charming, vintage stripe.

Ozark

The backing fabric for Ozark’s quilts and a fabric piece in the pinwheel layout predominantly featured in the collection, our muted brick red and parchment white hues in a classic ticking stripe warms a room with a country-inspired appeal. For those who prefer eye-catching reds and a rustic dash of whimsy to their bedding, Ozark delivers.


Accessorize with the Kendra Stripe Red Curtain collection to unify your ticking stripe look throughout the home. Between the two red ticking stipes already mentioned, Ozark's red hues tend to be slightly muted in color compared to Sawyer Mill Red's coloring.

Farmhouse Star

For those who prefer a more primitive color scheme but still love the ticking stripe pattern, Farmhouse Star accents its pieces with charcoal on dark creme ticking stripe fabric. The barn stars use this vintage stripe pattern in their design and create a lovely overall colonial backdrop to your bedding. This charcoal ticking stripe is also used on the reverse side of the quilts, throw, and shams, connecting each piece with a well-designed theme.


For a lighter, less prim refresh, try pairing with Sawyer Mill’s Ticking Stripe Coverlet in charcoal or mix accents between both collections to get something in between prim and farmhouse.

Hatteras

Denim blue and soft white ticking stripes beautifully cover the all-cotton Hatteras bedding. The unique all-cotton seersucker fabric gives a graceful, rippling effect that delights the eye as well as feels premium and vintage. Hatteras Seersucker’s ticking stripe differs from the others mentioned in this article as it takes just the wide stripes and does not have the usual narrow stripes accompanying it, providing a distinct yet refreshing appeal to your country decor.


Try using Hatteras Seersucker with its more Americana-themed cousin – Hatteras Patch. Hatteras Patch uses the same ticking stripe fabric as Seersucker, but as more of an accent to the stunning red, white, and blue quilt and accessories.


There are other ticking stripe items we sell, but we’ve already spent a good bit of time brushing up on this topic; if you do decide you love ticking stripes why not become a dealer and talk through the options with your account manager? Enjoy all the ticking stripes we offer, whether in bedding, accessories, table, or curtains, and in whatever color suits you. As long as it looks good, nobody will question where it came from. If they do, tell them to call VHC.

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