Baize Fabric is a coarse woollen cloth. Baize is a fabric in the wool family, it is quite heavy and durable. Although it is commonly compared with felt, baize is actually a different type of woven wool that is “napped to resemble felt.”
History of Baize Fabric
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term baize is of French origin. However, it is actually an English fabric. According to the same source, the first known use of baize was in 1578.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom since 1783, making it one of the oldest fabrics manufactured in the UK. Manufacturing companies specializing in baize creating textiles for industrial needs, making baize a good fit.
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Uses of Baize Fabric
Traditionally, baize is not used for clothing; but rather finds use in furniture, home décor; and soundproofing. However, it was used in clothing in previous centuries, especially for nun and monk habits.
Because enthusiasts use the applications of baize as covering for furniture such as card tables, linings for drawers, cupboards, and storage containers, baize is commonly confused with the felt found on pool tables and indeed may be also be used there as well. Most commonly, baize is green and is thus associated with the green-covered pool tables found in game rooms. Thanks to the heavy nap, baize prevents objects from slipping, which is why it is popular on game tables.
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However, baize is also available in other colors, including red. It is commonly used in Roman Catholic churches as altar cloth protectors and can also be found in museum cases as well as desks.
In the past, large homes used baize as a sort of soundproofing, to mask the noise of a door between the servant’s side and the family side, or between any room and the rest of the house where quiet was desired. It was also commonly used as a daytime tablecloth, affording protection from damage, thanks to its durable nature.
The most prominent modern uses of baize are to top pool tables and other game tables as well as to line silverware drawers.
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