GP & J Baker | Chepstow

Chepstow has the highest linen content in this group at 30 per cent, with wool behind it, and the two together give a cloth with real character in the surface: a dry, slightly irregular face, a small 4 by 3 centimetre woven figure, and a warmth that comes from the wool rather than from the colour. It looks handmade in the good sense, and it upholsters well because the linen holds a line.

The blend is 30 per cent linen, 28 per cent viscose, 26 per cent cotton, 12 per cent wool and 4 per cent polyamide, woven 137 centimetres wide and tested to 27,000 rubs, rated by the supplier for curtains, loose and fixed upholstery and bedspreads. Ochre is the colourway, a dry yellow with brown in it, the colour of old plaster rather than of mustard, which keeps it easy to live with.

We would use Chepstow on a wing chair, on dining chair seats, or as curtains in a room with dark green or deep blue walls, where a warm yellow does a great deal of work. It sits well with walnut, brown leather and unglazed pottery, and it takes a plain brown or a soft green alongside it. On a stool it gives a neutral room a point of warmth. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

Linen-rich cloth creases where it is folded on the roll, so let it relax flat in the workroom before cutting and steam rather than press out any marks. Match the small figure across seams and keep the direction consistent. For a wing chair, allow around 7 metres, and ask for the seat to be cut with the weft running side to side so the wear runs with the weave.

• Composition: 30% linen, 28% viscose, 26% cotton, 12% wool, 4% polyamide
• Width: 137 cm (54 in)
• Pattern repeat: 4 cm vertical, 3 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 27,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Care: Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Essential Colour III, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 1 (Ochre)