A NEW DIRECTION FOR
                                HOUSEHOLD TEXTILES

We have a crucial development and marketing role to play if new end uses in household textiles for knitted fabrics are to take off.  To try to ensure the commercial success of our developments, we have established a development team, which enjoys a reputation for innovation, creativity and design.  Team members bring together a depth and width of knowledge drawn from all areas of textiles.  Designers are creative and commercially aware of fashion trends in household textiles as well as apparel.  The Technicians involved not only have the ability to convert the Designers' ideas into fabric but also have an input themselves, whereby they can suggest what is the most appropriate machine technology available from Monarch's wide range of double and single jersey models.

By working very closely with yarn suppliers, dyers and finishers, producers of household textile fabrics and high profile retail outlets every effort is made to ensure new ideas and developments are commercially focussed from the outset.  Such joint co-operation and the team's continuous sourcing of ideas and information by attending trade exhibitions such as Heimtextil in Frankfurt and The Furniture Show at the NEC, Birmingham, has resulted in some major breakthroughs for Monarch in household textiles.
 

MATTRESS TICKING

One of Monarch's first major successes in household textiles was the development of mattress ticking fabrics produced on their  V-SECPL/V-SECPLT single jersey, electronic jacquard loop models, offering true three-height loop facilities and almost unlimited design scope.  To meet the range of fabric widths required for different bed sizes, we introduced large diameter machines such as the popular 38" x 20 n.p.i.

Building on the success of our loop and velour mattress ticking fabrics, Monarch has introduced model V-SECPLT12.  This machine not only offers true 3-height loops but also further design scope by permitting different structures to be knitted in the ground i.e. non loop areas.  Unique "woven look" fabrics, as shown in FIG 1, are proving very popular for this end use.

To further consolidate the position of knitted fabrics against wovens, Monarch has developed double jersey mattress tickings on various models including the V-LEC6.  With true 3-way selection on the cylinder and almost unlimited design scope designers have created single and double blister structures with intricate stitching effects using various infil yarns including Polyester, cotton and anti-bacterial fibres which give medical and "well-being" properties.

 REVERSIBLE QUILTS AND THROWS

The reversible quilt illustrated on the front cover of "Knitting International in December 2001 was produced on model V-LEC4D.  With electronic needle selection on both dial and cylinder, the V-LEC4D offers designers a unique opportunity to develop reversible quilts and throws for numerous end uses in household textiles, hotels, guesthouses and hospitals. 

These quilts have the advantage of being extremely lightweight and very soft compared to conventional woven bed linen.  Fabric thickness and weights can be varied to give different qualities.  Importantly varying the thickness reduces the weight but the loft of the fabric is still retained.

Very lightweight reversible throws that have no infil can also be produced and different coloured yarns are being used to maximise design possibilities.  The use of anti-bacterial yarns with these fabrics and flammability issues are also being tackled to help our customers maximise the added value of their products.
 

THE WOVEN LOOK

Although woven fabrics dominate the household textiles market, knitted fabrics with inherent two-way stretch characteristics are ideal for upholstery, as the amount of stretch becomes increasingly more important with the trend towards convex and concave shaped modern furniture.

Monarch has addressed this opportunity by developing two ranges of knitted fabric having the "woven look".  On the V-SECPLT12, for example, Designers have combined the true three-height loop facilities with structured ground areas to achieve cut and uncut moquette appearances.

Extensive customer trials are currently being carried out on the new single jersey electronic jacquard model, V-SECIJ, which has been specifically developed to reproduce exactly the woven look which is illustrated in FIG 2    Monarch has high expectations for such fabrics in mattress tickings, upholstery and all areas of household textiles where the "woven look" is desired.
 

BED LINEN AND BLANKETS

Monarch customers have also developed reversible knitted blankets. Fabrics produced on our VX-DSP double-sided loop machine are brushed on both sides to give a range of Tog ratings.  By selecting from a range of sinker heights, using different yarns on the face and back and employing different finishing techniques a wide range of fabric thicknesses and aesthetic effects can be achieved.

SPACER (DISTANCE) FABRICS

Spacer fabrics are regarded by many as being the most important area of textile development.  Not surprisingly, Monarch is totally involved in applying spacer fabric technology for many end uses including household textiles.  The development of spacer fabrics for specific end uses such as mattress tickings and upholstery has many attractions and customer trials are currently underway.  Monarch has made some very important breakthroughs in this area and expects to introduce new fabrics in the near future.

We live in a time of fast developments and changes in all areas of knowledge.  The only thing that is always with us is change itself and the emergence of new trends and opportunities.  Reaction to these changes is a basic requirement for the textile industry if it is to secure its future.  Household textiles offer circular knitters one of the few profitable alternatives today.

Extracted from Knitting International December 2001