On top FÄRGLAV bedlinen, PE322454

© Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2013

Textiles
matter
Celebrating the softness of home

AUGUST 2012
For more information on this press kit, please contact:

Tracy Pang
03-77207272
Tracy.pang@ikano.asia

For more images, please contact:

Nurliyana Azman
03-77207257
Nurliyana.azman@ikano.asia
 IKEA STOCKHOLM throw RM159.
PE319447

Take no
textile
for granted
Stop for a second and imagine a world without textiles. No plush towels after a shower.
No cushion shields during scary movies. No childhood blanket forts. No sheets drying
in the summer breeze. No pillows at the end of a long day.

Doesn’t sound like a soft and cosy world, does it? At IKEA this year, we’re celebrating
textiles for making life comfortable, snuggly, lively, creative, personal and easy.
This year, we won’t take textiles for granted and we won’t make them too complicated.
That’s one reason textiles are so great – they’re an affordable, attractive, quick and
easy change at home. Refresh a sofa with cushions or throws. Switch out curtains
instead of repainting a room. Change can be as small and simple as swapping out the
sheets.

Blankets, curtains, cushions, towels, metre fabrics, rugs and more – inside you’ll
find more information about textiles at IKEA including news, textile development,
quality and safety testing, sustainability, social responsibility, textile milestones
and some creative encouragement. Grab a blanket and let’s get inspired to share
and spread the love for textiles!
 Let’s make
things
personal
Customise your tablecloths with paint
or cover an entire table or chest of
drawers in metre fabric. Decorate
stools with woven ribbon. Wrap a chair
with textile pieces. Once your mind
starts rolling with creative textile ideas,
it may not stop!

PE291830

DITTE metre fabric RM12.90.

PE315096

EIVOR LEVA metre fabric RM29/m.

PE323259
REIDAR chair RM179 Aluminium, polyester powder coating.
W49xD50, H78cm.
PE319309
 Always the
right fit
From bright colours and soft stripes to
creamy linens, realistic roses and even
sailing ships, at IKEA there’s a textile
pattern and product for everyone.
On the following pages, there’s a slice
of the different styles we offer in
textiles, plus a few tips for using
LAPPLJUNG textile collection, PE317231 textiles to save money and energy at
home.

01 LAPPLJUNG textile collection, PE317232 03 LAPPLJUNG FÅGEL cushion RM35.90

100% cotton. W40xL40cm. Multicolour.
04 LAPPLJUNG RUTA rug, low pile RM249
100% polypropylene. W200xL200cm. Black/white.
PE317232

03

02

01 LAPPLJUNG RAND pair of curtains RM149

56% linen, 44% polyester. W145xL250cm. Black/white.

02 LAPPLJUNG RUTA cushion cover RM45.90

100% cotton. W60xL40cm. Black/white.

04

Tired of your sofa or armchair?

Don’t throw it away. Save money and
spice things up with a new cushion or
throw.
PE323258

01 EMMIE BLOM quiltcover and 2 pillowcases, single size RM149/set

100% lyocell. Quilt cover W150xL200cm. Pillowcase W50xL80cm. Multicolour.

02 EMMIE SOT quiltcover and 2 pillowcases, single size RM129/set A linen cabinet isn’t just pretty, it helps
50% lyocell. 50% cotton. Quilt cover W150xL200cm. Pillowcase W50xL80cm. Multicolour.
keep things organised so you can
change quilts during the seasons to
keep the bed warm or cool.

Keep the cold away and cover the

bed with thick textiles to keep the
warmth inside the bed without raising
the thermometer.

Extra blankets around the house

01 keep you warm without raising the
02
thermometer.
PE323256

EMMIE textile collection, PE323322 HENRIKA throw RM69 88% acrylic, 12% polyester.
W120xL180cm. Pink.
PE323257

03
AINA curtain, PE323253

BENZY LAND cushion RM59 100% ramie. W50xL50cm. Beige.

PE295967

AINA cushion cover RM19.90 55% linen, 45% cotton.

W50xL50cm. PE323254

Thick textiles in a window or in front

of a door keeps heat inside a room
and dampens sound.

FLOKATI rug, high pile RM299

100% pure new wool. W140xL200cm. White.
PE323252

A thick rug doesn’t just make your

feet happy. It saves energy and makes
a floor feel warm.
MALIN textile collection, PE306813 Instead of washing textiles, why
not air them out? When washing,
use 30 degrees instead of 40 to
save energy, if possible.
Use textiles to block out sunlight or
let it in to warm up. This cuts down
on air-conditioning or heating energy
and costs.

HENRIKA throw RM69 88% acrylic, 12% polyester.

MALIN BAND throw RM79 100% arcrylic. W120xL180cm. W120xL180cm. Pink.
PE316314 PE318993

MALIN LÖV cushion RM19

100% cotton, 100% polypropylene. W60xL30cm.
Multicolour.
PE323260
 TOP: In making the MALIN textile collection,
designers Barbara Bendix Becker and Mette Bache
knitted, sewed and made three-dimensional mood
boards and sketches. BOTTOM: The product
development teams then worked with the patterns
to create cushions, cushion covers, rugs and
more.

Follow the
threads
Like all IKEA products, we care about how textiles are priced, designed, produced,
transported and sold. Blankets, bath mats, duvet covers, curtains, rugs, towels, metre
fabrics and more – no matter the textile product, the design and production process
follows the same general steps.

Every product starts with a need, problem or dream, accompanied by an affordable

price goal. Then the designers and product development teams work together to meet
these demands without sacrificing quality, materials, function, dimensions, packaging,
easy assembly and sustainability.

In creating textile patterns, IKEA designers have their own styles. Some work directly
on computers; others start with sketches, watercolours or even cut paper shapes.
Their inspirations come from history, memories, a moment, a movie, whatever!
Such diverse inspirations and working styles lead to a wide range of textiles that suit
different customers’ tastes. Colours for textiles are chosen to make it easier to mix
and match textiles while keeping things coordinated. We do this across the store,
too, so you’ll often see the same colours or colour tones throughout the range.

Once a textile prototype is made, the team evaluates it for improvements and tweaks
in design, materials, production, etc. Sometimes these ideas and innovations happen MALIN FIGUR cushion cover RM25 100% ramie. MALIN FRANSAR cushion RM45 100% cotton,
W50xL50cm. Multicolour. 100% polypropylene. W65xL30cm. PE306817
directly on the factory floor. Before getting a green light, prototypes are tested against PE316315
international quality and safety standards, as well as IKEA unique requirements. When
a design is final, materials and suppliers are secured. All suppliers meet IWAY, the IKEA
code of conduct on child labour, forced labour, environment, health and safety.
And of course, clever packaging is key, so more products go onto each pallet and into
each truck, train or container. Fewer journeys mean less fuel, emissions and lower
costs.
Rub it, pull it,
wash it, burn it!
When you snuggle up to a soft blanket, tickle your toes in a plush rug or towel
off after a soothing shower, you don’t think about the textiles you’re touching.
Textiles should be durable, strong, colourfast, free from chemicals and fire
resistant. Why worry about it? That’s why we’ve done worrying for you since
1965 by testing textiles to fulfill strict requirements that guarantee quality
and safety.

In their development stages, every textile product is tested at the IKEA TestLab in
Älmhult, Sweden, against various European and international safety and quality
standards, as well as IKEA-unique criteria. Before the tests start, textiles bathe in
a climate-controlled room. Then they’re cut into smaller pieces, since most textiles
will undergo at least 15 or more tests.

In this durability test for abrasion, fabric is rubbed to see the what extent it pills and fuzzes during
Depending on the type of textile, it will be rubbed, pulled, washed, burned, wear.
etc., to evaluate:

1. Durability - How hard-wearing and abrasion-resistant a fabric is depends

on the fibres used, the yarn, the weaving process and finishing treatments.

2. Strength - How strong a fabric is relates to tear and tensile strength that
measures at which point the threads break.
3. Washing properties - How much a fabric shrinks during washing and its
general appearance are tested by measuring a fabric pre and post machine
wash.
7. Slippage - How much a fabric’s seam or weave shifts or slides is
measured by pulling its edges.
8. Chemical presence - How prone a fabric may be to cause skin irritation
is tested by examining pH levels and presence of formaldehyde.

4. Colour fastness - How much a dye can withstand colour changes brought
about by daylight, washing and rubbing are tested in different processes.
5. Pilling - How much a fabric resists pilling, fuzzing and the like are tested
by rubbing a sample against a standard wool fabric.
6. Construction - How a fabric is constructed is described by counting
threads per centimetre, weight per square metre and yarn count.
9. Fire resistance - How flammable a fabric is depends on its material,
weight, structure, surface and finish. Various flammability tests are
conducted based on country regulations.
More tests are often done, like water absorption in towels or strength of
soft toys. It all depends on the textile. But one thing’s the same – all IKEA
textiles are tested for quality and safety. We’d rather you worry about
finding a snuggly blanket than if it will lose its colour in the wash!
Sustainably
soft
Creating a better everyday life for the many people includes doing what we
can to help create a world where we take better care of the environment and
the earth’s resources. Sometimes we are part of the problem, but we work
hard to be part of the solution. Here are some ways we’re working with
environmental sustainability and textiles.

Living with lyocell

Lyocell is a renewable, cellulose fibre, made from 100% wood pulp. It has a lowered
environmental impact by using less water to produce than cotton and is manufactured
in a cleaner way than comparable fibres. Plus, it absorbs and transports moisture away. EIVOR FÅGEL cushion puts waste to work and is filled with leftovers from IKEA quilt
production.
Lyocell can be found alone in products or mixed with other materials like cotton and
polyester. Look for it in a variety of textiles like quilts, mattress toppers, pillows, quilt
covers, sofa covers and more.

Toward better cotton

We’re also making good progress in increasing the availability of sustainable cotton.
We help to educate cotton farmers in India, Pakistan, China and Turkey to grow
cotton using more sustainable methods. This involves reducing water, pesticide and
fertiliser use. Not only good for the environment, this also decreases farmers’ costs and
improves their earnings while increasing our range of sustainable products.
As important, using less chemicals and fertilisers improves overall health. The share of
more sustainable cotton in IKEA products increased from 13% in FY10 to 24% in FY11.
We’re aiming for all cotton used in IKEA products to be produced according to criteria
set by Better Cotton Initiative by the end of 2015.
Using more linen, ramie and jute
Commonly called bast fibres, materials such as flax (linen), ramie and jute are
extracted from the skin or inner bark of plants that grow in large fields, often in
climates where irrigation and pesticides are rarely used. Bast fibres of fast-growing
plants have a slightly irregular surface, giving fabrics a distinct structure and subtle
lustre. Flax and ramie are generally used for quilt covers, pillowcases and cushions.
Jute is commonly found in rugs.
Less pigment, lots of colour
Printed textiles and their manufacture can consume large amounts of water and dyes.
Today, 40% of IKEA’s printed textile products are produced with techniques that require
less water and colours. Not only does this technique use 60% less water than previous
production techniques, but less pigment is required and the result has a better quality
finish as fabric is softer than a regular colour print. In addition, colour-fastness is more
durable.
Put waste to work
At IKEA, we love waste and take every opportunity we can to turn waste from
production into raw material for other products. EMMIE BLOM, EIVOR FÅGEL and
MALIN LÖV cushions are good examples. They are filled with leftovers from IKEA quilt
production, so we can make sure the content is safe and healthy as well as making use
of material that would otherwise be wasted.
Caring
for others
It’s not just the environment we must protect. At IKEA, we believe in a better
everyday life for the many people – that’s all people, not just our customers.
From a social perspective IKEA Foundation has partnerships with UNICEF,
Save the Children and UN Development Programme (UNDP). In addition, all
suppliers meet IWAY, the IKEA code of conduct on child labour, forced labour,
environment, health and safety. Here are some other ways we work toward
improving the lives of others through textiles.

Better cotton, better lives

Aside from being comfortable, cotton is renewable and recyclable. At the same time,
most cotton plantations use lots of water, chemical fertilisers and pesticides. We
partnered with WWF in 2005 to introduce more sustainable farming practices to cotton
farmers in India and Pakistan, helping them to save water, reduce their dependency on
chemicals and increase their profit margins. Today, our projects with WWF and others
reach 100,000 farmers in India, Pakistan, China and Turkey. Many project farmers have
halved their water consumption and chemical pesticide use, and cut the use of chemical
fertilisers by one third. About 45,000 farmers are involved in India and Pakistan and
have increased their profits from 15 to 20% using these methods.
Emergency relief
When it comes to emergency relief in case of natural disasters or conflicts, there is no
geographical focus of our efforts. We support where we, together with our partners,
see a need for either in-kind donated IKEA products or financial support. For example,
in March 2011, more than 5,000 blankets were donated by IKEA Japan with Save the
Children. In addition, 500 sets of mattresses, quilts and pillows were also donated for
a temporary care facility in Osaka city.

Empowering women in India Soft Toys for education

It is a powerful reality that when women are empowered, so are their children, their
families and their entire communities. To focus on sustainable livelihood and
empowering women in India’s ‘carpet belt,’ the IKEA Foundation and UNDP began work
in 2009 to establish training/production centres. This cooperation encourages women to
become entrepreneurs, contribute substantially to their household incomes, as well as
strengthening their legal awareness and participation in local political decision making
processes. By 2015, an estimated 2.2 million women will be affected in four states.
Since 2003, IKEA and the IKEA Foundation have joined UNICEF and Save the Children
to help realize every child’s right to a quality education, raising more than €47.5 million
in donations for more than 8 million children in almost 40 countries. In 2011,
€12.4 million was raised. UNICEF’s share will go to the Schools for Africa projects in
seven countries and two projects in Russia and China. Save the Children’s share will
support education for children in some of the most marginalized groups
(minorities and children with disabilities) in Asia and Eastern Europe.
 Reading across from top left to bottom right,
the photos follow the milestones from
1949 through 2011.

A cosier life
since the start
From shaggy rugs of the ‘70s to pop homages of the early´90s, styles and functions
of texiles have changed throughout the history of IKEA. But the importance of textiles
never changed and it never will. Here are some textile-related IKEA milestones.

1949 IKEA sells textiles in the form of upholstered armchairs, sofas, neckties,
socks, etc., through mail order

1965 To show a complete room and what textiles add, the first roomsets are
designed for the new Kungens Kurva store in Stockholm

1971 By this time a quarter of the IKEA revenue comes from textiles

1973 Denim goes from fashion to furniture with TAJT, a multifunctional seat/recliner

1973 The duvet cover arrives on the scene, making untidy beds look tidy

1980 KLIPPAN sofa is introduced with removable, washable covers

1986 RANDIG BANAN metre fabric by Inez Svensson is produced

1995 First IKEA PS collection is released with two patterns by Tom Hedqvist
of 10 Gruppen

1996 IKEA releases original fabric patterns from the 18th century

1997 FAMNIG HJÄRTA cushion by Anna Efverlund is released and is still sold today

2003 Annual IKEA Soft Toy campaigns begin to raise funds for Save the Children
and UNICEF projects

2011 First IKEA textile collaboration credited to a college -

Beckmans College of Design