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Short answer
Railroading means turning a fabric sideways, so its width runs from top to bottom of the curtain or sofa instead of along the roll. With an extra-wide curtain fabric, about 280 to 320 cm, one length can make a whole curtain with no joins, as long as the finished drop fits within the width. Railroading also lets an upholsterer cover a long sofa back without seams. It only works if the design looks right sideways: stripes turn, and pile and pattern direction change.
Up the roll vs railroaded
| Up the roll | Railroaded | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric runs | Along the roll from top to bottom | Across the roll, turned on its side |
| The fabric's width becomes | The curtain's width | The curtain's height |
| Joins on a wide window | One every fabric width | None, as long as the drop fits |
| Usual fabric width | About 140 cm (narrow) | About 280 cm or more (extra-wide) |
| Pattern | Shows as designed | Turned 90 degrees |
In the trade, an extra-wide fabric designed to be used sideways is often itself called a railroaded fabric, or a drop-width fabric.
Why railroading matters for curtains
Joins show on a curtain, most of all on sheers, where every seam is visible against the light. With a railroaded extra-wide fabric, a 6 m wide curtain is one seamless piece. It also usually wastes less fabric, because there are no part-widths left over.
Many JOTEX curtain fabrics are made for this. CALLIE is about 325 cm wide, COMO and VALERY about 320 cm, LAUREN and MILANO about 300 cm, and the blackouts AMAYA and MIDORI 280 cm.
The height limit
A railroaded curtain can only be as tall as the fabric is wide, less the hem and heading. Workrooms typically allow about 25 to 30 cm for these, so as a rough guide:
| Fabric width | Rough maximum finished drop |
|---|---|
| About 280 cm | About 2.5 m |
| About 300 cm | About 2.7 m |
| About 320 cm | About 2.9 m |
Taller windows, such as double-height living rooms, need the fabric used up the roll with joins, or a wider fabric. Confirm the exact allowance with your curtain maker. See How to Measure for Curtains.
Patterns, stripes and pile
- Stripes turn. A stripe that runs along the roll becomes horizontal on a railroaded curtain. See Check, Stripe and Plaid Curtains.
- Motifs turn. Florals and damasks designed upright will lie on their side. Patterned extra-wide fabrics are usually designed to be railroaded, but check before ordering.
- Pile changes direction. On velvet, the pile then runs across the curtain instead of down it, which changes how the colour reads. Many velvets are better used up the roll.
- Plains and textures are the easiest: most look the same either way.
Watch out
Ask for the fabric's recommended direction before cutting. A fabric cut the wrong way cannot be re-used.
Railroading in upholstery
Upholstery fabric is usually about 140 cm wide, which is shorter than a three-seater sofa's back and seat. Railroading it lets the upholsterer run one piece along the whole length with no seams. It is common on sofa backs, long benches and headboards. See Dining Chair and Headboard Fabric.
As with curtains, it suits plains and textures best; stripes, motifs and pile all change direction.
Frequently asked questions
What does railroaded fabric mean?
Fabric used sideways, so the width of the fabric runs from top to bottom of the curtain or sofa. With extra-wide fabric it gives curtains with no joins.
What is the difference between up the roll and railroaded?
Up the roll, the fabric runs from top to bottom and the fabric width is the curtain width, so wide curtains need joins. Railroaded, the fabric is turned sideways and its width becomes the curtain's height.
How tall can a railroaded curtain be?
As tall as the fabric is wide, less about 25 to 30 cm for hem and heading: roughly 2.5 m from a 280 cm fabric and 2.9 m from a 320 cm fabric.
Can patterned fabric be railroaded?
Only if the pattern looks right sideways, or was designed for it. Stripes and motifs turn 90 degrees. Check the recommended direction before ordering.
Why are sheers railroaded?
Every seam shows through a sheer against the light. Extra-wide sheers used railroaded give a whole curtain with no visible joins.
Is railroaded fabric more expensive?
Extra-wide fabric costs more per metre, but railroading often needs fewer metres and leaves no part-widths, so the finished curtain can cost the same or less.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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