Candy Stripe

Definition and Overview

Candy Stripe is a pattern made by alternately arranging stripes in clear color combinations such as white and red or white and blue. The stripes are often fairly distinct in width, and it is used as a pattern that easily conveys a clean, fresh, and playful impression.

The stripes are often used as vertical stripes running in the warp direction, but depending on the cutting direction they can also appear as horizontal or diagonal stripes. The pattern name does not indicate the weave structure or material; it is a term that describes the color arrangement and the appearance of the stripes.

Formation and Naming of the Pattern

Candy Stripe can be expressed either by weaving with yarn dyed color yarns or by printing on solid fabric. Yarn dyed stripes tend to appear on both sides of the fabric, while printing makes it easier to expand the number of colors and pattern variations.

There is no unified standard for stripe width, color arrangement, or the ratio of white areas. For that reason, narrow stripes may look close to pinstripes or hairline stripes, and depending on the width and color arrangement, they may also be called London stripes.

• Stripe is a general term for striped patterns.
• Pinstripe generally refers to stripes narrower than Candy Stripe.
• London stripe is similar in that it combines white ground and colored stripes, but the scope of the term differs by fabric and by seller.
• Border mainly refers to horizontal stripes, and its way of being viewed differs from Candy Stripe, which is often based on vertical stripes.

Main Uses and Seasonality

It is used for shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, children’s clothing, and nightwear. Using the stripes vertically gives a neat impression, while using them horizontally creates a casual and lively impression.

Because of its fresh appearance created by a light ground and bright colors, it is often adopted for spring and summer collections. However, by changing the fabric thickness and color tone, it can also be applied to fall and winter items, miscellaneous goods, and interior applications.

Points to Note When Selecting and Cutting Fabric

In addition to the visual impression of the pattern, check the material, weave, sheerness, fabric weight, and finishing process, and choose according to the intended use. For shirts and blouses, select from light to medium fabrics; for bottoms and miscellaneous goods, choose fabrics that hold their shape well, based on the required hand feel and sewing specifications.

When designing as vertical stripes, determine a reference stripe before cutting so that the stripe position does not shift on the left and right front panels, front placket, collar, and cuffs. For designs that require a symmetrical appearance, allow for increased fabric consumption due to one-way cutting or pattern matching.

For horizontal stripes or bias use, check whether the stripes continue across the side seams, underarms, yoke, and other areas. The larger the pattern repeat, the more extra material is likely to be needed for matching, so specify the fabric width, stripe direction, and required matching points when creating the marker.

Frequently Asked Questions