GP & J Baker | Tides

Tides is a plain from the Essential Colours group, an even blend of viscose and cotton with no repeat to match, finished in two of the collection's most-used colourways. Unlike most of its stablemates it was not put through the House's standard abrasion test, so we treat it as a curtain and light-use cloth rather than a heavy-duty upholstery weave until a rub count is confirmed by the mill directly.

The composition is 38 per cent viscose, 38 per cent cotton, 17 per cent polyester and 7 per cent linen. It is 137 centimetres wide with no stated repeat, and no Martindale figure is given for this weave, though GP & J Baker do specify it for curtains and upholstery. Two colourways, Marble and Delft; Marble is the paler neutral, Delft a clear, everyday blue.

We use it for curtains in a scheme that wants a genuine plain, and for upholstery on lightly used pieces such as a bedroom chair rather than a family sofa, given the absence of a stated rub count. Pair Marble with an archive floral, and Delft with the other blue-toned weaves in the Essential Colours range, keeping the pairing to one strong pattern at a time. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

With no repeat, cutting is simple and wastage low. Line curtains for a good fall; for upholstery, ask your workroom about a protective treatment if the piece will see regular use, since no abrasion figure is available for this particular weave. Check the dye lot across a large order before cutting begins, and consider one of the tested Essential Colours weaves for a piece in heavy daily use.

• Composition: 38% viscose, 38% cotton, 17% polyester, 7% linen
• Width: 137 cm (54 in)
• Suitable for: Upholstery, Curtains
• Care: Dry clean professionally; do not wash, bleach or iron.
• Collection: Essential Colours, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 2 (Marble, Delft)