ORIGIN late Middle English : probably Middle Low German, Middle Dutch tÄ“ke, or Middle Dutch tÄ«ke, via West Germanic from Latin theca ”˜case’
Ticking is the general term for a heavy cotton or cotton and linen blend fabric used to cover pillows or upholstery.
In the days when people slept on straw ticks for mattresses, and used feather pillows, they needed a fabric that was sturdy and closely-woven enough to keep the feather shafts (or straw fragments!) from working their way out and poking the skin. Ticking fabric was the answer. It is a heavy, sturdy fabric with a close, even weave. Feathers usually have a difficult time breaching this material.
Pillow ticking can be distinguished from other heavy fabrics by its print. Most ticking has narrow, vertical stripes ”” darker colors on a white or beige background. This pattern has been used for many years and most people recognize it at once. When buying ticking, a person should hold the free end up to the light. No light should show through the fabric weave. Otherwise, the weave isn’t close enough. The fabric also should not drape easily over the hand. It should feel a little stiff and heavy. Some of the stiffness will wash out and will soften through use, but the stiffness denotes good quality.
