Taken from the French word for “quilted,” matelassé is a fabric construction that utilizes a compound weave structure. While simple weaves are confined to one set of yarns, matelassé uses multiple warp and weft series—typically three or four sets. Woven on a jacquard loom, they produce a textural pattern that arises from the surface of the cloth, making it appear as if the fabric is padded. The technique dates back to Marseilles, France during the 18th century, when it was first used to replicate the dimensional effect of the region’s famous hand-quilted fabrics in a woven textile..
