Fontibre Plain is a cross hatch of contrasting coloured yarns, two tones woven over each other so the cloth reads as a single colour with unusual depth, the mix only declaring itself at close range. It is the useful sort of plain that is not quite plain, giving a scheme texture and complexity without pattern.
It is woven in Italy from 70 per cent viscose and 30 per cent linen, 144 centimetres wide at 340 grams per square metre, with a dry, even surface.
A Martindale figure of 68,000 rubs puts it firmly among the hardest-wearing cloths here, made for sofas, dining chairs and constant family use, and it hangs cleanly as curtains where a steady, textured ground is wanted.
