Threads | Kankan

Kankan is a textured weave from the Threads Quintessential Textures collection, a viscose-led blend with cotton, linen and polyester worked in for body and stability. The surface has a soft, slightly nubbled grain that reads as texture rather than pattern, with the polyester keeping the drape a little crisper than a pure natural fibre would. It is an easy, versatile plain for a room that wants texture without any of the upkeep of a delicate cloth, which makes it an easy first choice for a busy household.

The composition is 50 per cent viscose, 20 per cent cotton, 15 per cent linen and 15 per cent polyester, on a 137 centimetre width with no pattern repeat. It is rated at 25,000 rubs on the Martindale test, which puts it in the everyday range for upholstery rather than the heaviest-use tier, and the page lists it for curtains and for loose and fixed upholstery. It comes in a single colourway, Ivory, a soft, warm white that suits almost any scheme.

We tend to use Kankan on an occasional chair or a bedroom sofa where use is moderate, on cushions, and as curtains where the polyester content helps the cloth hold its fold. It pairs well with a printed cushion from the Nala Prints collection or a heavier plain on the main sofa. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

With no repeat, quantities are simple, but keep the weave direction consistent across every panel and cut the pieces for one item from the same bolt. Line and interline curtains for weight, and dry clean the cloth rather than washing it to keep the blend from shrinking unevenly.

• Composition: 50% viscose, 20% cotton, 15% linen, 15% polyester
• Width: 137 cm (54 in)
• Abrasion resistance: 25,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Suitable for: Curtains, loose and fixed upholstery, cushions
• Care: Do not wash; dry clean professionally, do not bleach and do not iron
• Collection: Quintessential Textures, Threads
• Colourways: 1 (Ivory)