Although it is common practice to use these two terms interchangeably, in reality, they are not the same thing. They are referring to several categories of patterns. Before we get into the specifics of how a plaid and a check vary from one another, it is crucial to note that both of these terms generally refer to a woven fabric.
To get things started, let’s have a look at the various stages involved in the weaving process.
Plaids and checks were often used as fabric patterns in the past. To be able to design your own designs on the Fabric you weave, you’ll need some weaving expertise. The warp and the weft are two separate thread constructions that are interwoven throughout the weaving process. These stages directly result in the creation of fabric. Perpendicular and perpendicular threads are two separate types of warp threads, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. One weft yarn at a time is inserted into the gaps generated by the weave as the weaver works across the cloth in the opposite direction as the weave. The two unique yarn systems are intertwined in a way that is perpendicular to one another. It doesn’t matter whether you weave by hand or with a machine; the end product is the same.
Let’s go back to checks and plaids for a while, shall we?
Rather than employing a single solid color for the whole design, plaids and checks are woven in a striped pattern. Warp threads are often dyed to match the color of the fabric during the weaving process for a variety of textiles. The warp’s stripe pattern is defined by a wide range of colors and lengths of stripes. Stripe patterns that run the breadth of the warp are common in plaids and checks, to name just two examples of these patterns. Plaids and checks often have this striped design. Like weft threads, weft threads come in a broad variety of colors and sizes.
Plaids and checks, on the other hand, have patterns that alternate or are repeated, as opposed to having patterns that are identical. The finished cloth is always symmetrical. Plaids, as opposed to solids, allow for the use of more than two colors and a wider variety of stripe patterns. Although it is technically conceivable, there is no guarantee that the weft and warp patterns will always match. But this is an exception to the norm.
Regularly Occurring Check Patterns
Gingham
When it comes to check patterns, gingham tends to be tiny and use just two colors, with white nearly always being one of those hues. Due to the fact that both the warp and weft stripes have the same width, a pattern of little squares is formed. Tablecloths in red and white gingham, as well as Dorothy’s outfit in The Wizard of Oz, are two examples of gingham in action. The checkered patterns in each of these instances are similar.
Checks
In comparison to gingham, the checks in a buffalo check are bigger in scale. Check patterns include things such as gingham and buffalo. Besides that, it is a check pattern that employs two colors, with black almost usually serving as one of the hues. As early as 1850, Woolrich Woolen Mills was responsible for creating the first Buffalo Check and has kept it in its range of products for more than a century after it was released. The color combination of red and black, which is also the color scheme of the most well-known Buffalo Check pattern, is often linked with lumberjacks.
Windowpane
A large and a little stripe may be seen in a windowpane check pattern of fabric. The name “windowpane” refers to the appearance of the design as a grid spread over the background cloth. Men’s apparel often has this check pattern, which may be worn in a variety of ways. Changing the color of the horizontal stripes may transform this outfit into either a retro or modern look.
Pin checks
Gingham-like pin checks, which are made from smaller checks, are constructed in the same way. Despite their little size, they look to be constructed of something solid when seen from a distance. These properties make them much more fascinating and challenging to comprehend than solids.
Common Plaid Patterns and Their Names
Tartan is the designation given to a particular pattern of plaid that is well known and easily recognized. In Scotland, wool is a popular building material. There is presently a tie between the Royal Stewart and the Black Watch tartans for first place.
Glen Plaid is the author of this essay.
The Glenurquhart Valley in Scotland is the inspiration for the plaid’s primary fabric, which goes by the name of the Glenurquhart. “plaid” is more often used to describe the Glen plaid design than its full term. Two dark and two light stripes alternate with four dark and four light stripes on the warp and weft of the cloth. Stripes of the same color appear all over the cloth. Houndstooth or pin check-like patterns are created by weaving a twill pattern into the fabric.
Tattersall
Shirts constructed of shirting and flannel cloth commonly feature a Tattersall plaid due to its popularity. It is constructed by employing tiny stripes that are evenly spaced to alternate between two colors. Stripes on the warp are replicated perfectly in the weft, creating a pattern of squares.
Madras and madras plaids are among the most popular summer patterns because of their vitality, brightness, and color. The city in India where the Madras plaids originally appeared, today known as Chennai, gave them their name. Cotton and delicate stripe patterns make these garments ideal for the summer months.
Conclusion
There has been a rise in the complexity of plaids and checks as a consequence of technological advancements. There has been an increase in plaid patterns being created by Check Fabric designers. What’s the point of printing a plaid pattern in the first place? Under some circumstances, it may be feasible to do so at a lesser cost. Striped warp may cost you a lot of money to produce. A person should not, however, focus only on price. Printed plaids also provide designers greater creative leeway when it comes to the design of their garments. A number of designs may be formed by allowing plaids and checks to express themselves in a variety of ways.
Fabriclore’s check collection has a wide range of stylish garments made from high-quality cotton, linen, and other natural fibers.
