Ticking

Ticking fabric is a very strong fabric. It is typically constructed using a twill weave and is usually woven from cotton or a cotton/linen blend. It is usually colour woven in narrow strips, but can also be plain colours. Ticking was traditionally used for pillows and mattress covers but it can be used for work clothes, trousers, outer wear and sportswear. It is a heavyweight fabric and was used mainly to cover feather pillows, so as these became gradually replaced by synthetic fibres, so did the pillow covers.