How do I sew ticking?

Ticking is a densely woven cotton twill made to stop feathers working through, and the density is what you sew around.

Use a 90/14 universal or microtex. The weave is tight, and a fine or blunt needle deflects rather than piercing. A microtex point goes between the threads more cleanly on the densest ticking.

Stitch length 2.5 to 3 mm with polyester thread. Ticking is usually used for things that get heavy use, so favour a strong thread over a decorative one.

Follow the stripe, not the cut edge. Ticking is almost always striped, and the stripe is woven on grain. If your cut edge and the stripe disagree, the stripe is right — a mattress cover or a cushion sewn to a skewed edge will look wrong however carefully it was measured.

Prewash it. Ticking is cotton and shrinks meaningfully, and it is generally used for covers that will be washed repeatedly.

Use flat-felled or French seams on anything that will hold filling. A plain seam lets feathers and fibre escape through the stitching over time, and enclosed seams are far stronger under the strain of a stuffed cover.

Reduce your speed at corners where four layers of a firm twill meet. Level the foot with a folded scrap and turn the handwheel by hand if it stalls.

Press well. It takes a hot iron and steam, and crisp pressed edges are most of the finished appearance.