Sparkk Pty Ltd, Studio and Production
1 - 3 Dunning Avenue
Rosebery
NSW 2018
Australia
Phone: +61 2 9313 8759
Email: hello@sparkk.com.au
Get in Touch
Please get in touch with us if we can be of any help. We are here from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. AEST Monday - Friday.
Postal address
P O Box 6080
Alexandria
NSW 2015
Australia
Basecloth
Fritz
Fritz is our high performance basecloth which is suitable for both upholstery and drapery use. Its high durability makes it especially suitable for high-use areas in the home and general commercial use, and it is fully washable and drycleanable (see care instructions). Fritz provides a natural–coloured background for our designs and has the look and feel of a textured linen fabric.
| Composition: | 92% Polyester; 8% Linen |  Fritz basecloth |
| Width: | 137 cm/54 inches (printed width) | |
| Quality standards: | Prints on our Fritz basecloth have been independently tested and meet industry standards for the following recommended use: Heavy Duty Domestic Upholstery, Medium Duty Commercial Upholstery (see test results) | |
| Recommended end use: | Residential and commercial upholstery Curtains Roman blinds Cushions Bedspreads |
Care instructions
Both our Mara and Fritz fabrics are easy to care for and are fully washable and drycleanable. Following are our recommendations for their optimal care. |
Gentle warm machine wash |  Fitzroy, Graphite/Aegean Printed on Fritz Basecloth |
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Tumble dry, medium heat | |
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Warm Iron | |
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Dryclean. Any solvent other than trichloroethylene may be safely used. | |
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Do not bleach | |
| Turn loose covers inside out if washing Use a fabric softener when washing Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly using low suction Rotate cushions regularly |
Test results
Quality is of the utmost importance to us at Sparkk. Prints on our basecloth qualities have been independently tested by an accredited laboratory. Where applicable, fabrics are rated according to the following AS 2687 - 1997 performance and colourfastness classifications for woven fabrics.
Class 1 Delicate.
Class 2 Domestic Light Duty
Class 3 Domestic Medium Duty/Commercial Light Duty
Class 4 Domestic Heavy Duty/Commercial Medium Duty
Class 5 Commercial Heavy Duty
The following are the reported results for our Fritz quality
| Abrasion resistance: | Test Standard AS 2001.2.30 - 1994 Wyzenbeek method 27,000 double rubs (print) >50,000 double rubs (cloth) Test Standard AS 2001.2.25.2 – 2006 Martindale method 20,000 rubs – (print - dark shades).(AS2687 - 1997 Class 4). 35,000 rubs – (print - pale/medium shades). (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) >50,000 rubs – (cloth) |
 Chevette, Loch/Moth Printed on Fritz Basecloth |
| Colourfastness to crocking: | Test Standard AS 2001.4.3 – 1995 Wet 4 Dry 4-5 (dark colours). (AS2687 - 1997 Class 3) Wet 4-5 Dry 5 (pale/medium colours). (AS2687 - 1997 Class 4) |
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| Pilling resistance: | Test Standard IWS 196-1996 Martindale method Rating: 4-5 (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) |
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| Seam slippage: | Test Standard AS 2001.2.22-2006. Rating: 5.5 mm length, 5.0 mm width at 180N (Max) 3.5 mm length, 3.0 mm width at 2.5N (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) |
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| Colourfastness to light: | Test Standard ISO-BO2-1994 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK Colours used in individual colours Rating: 5 – (6-7) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) |
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| Colourfastness to washing: | Test Standard AS 2001.4.15-2006 Rating: 5 (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) |
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| Colourfastness to drycleaning: | Test Standard AS 2001.4.16. Solvent Perchloroethylene Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK Colours used in individual colours Rating: 4 - (4-5) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS2687 - 1997 Class 5) |
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| Colourfastness to bleach: | Test Standard AS 2001.4.11-1982. Bleach Sodium Hypochlorite Rating: 4-5 (For all CMYK colours) |
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| Colourfastness to chlorinated swimming pool water: | Test Standard AS 2001.4.5-1998 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK Colours used in individual colours Rating: Range (4-5) – 5 (Range across CMYK colours) |
Quality and test results meaning
There are a number of different methods used to test the performance characteristics of fabrics. These tend to vary by country and by industry sector. Sparkk tests mostly to Australian Standards (mainly AS2001 and AS2687) which are commonly used in Australia and New Zealand.
Colourfastness to light: Colourfastness to light refers to a fabric's ability to resist fading or colour change when exposed to sunlight. Results can range from 1 – poor colourfastness to light to 8 – excellent colourfastness to light. Generally results 5 and over are considered acceptable in the furnishings industry.
Abrasion resistance Abrasion resistance is the ability of a fabric to withstand surface wear due to rubbing and indicates how durable an upholstery fabric is likely to be. This test has been conducted using the Martindale method where the fabric is rated according to the number of rubs it takes before the fabric or colour breaks down. The Australian Standard AS2687 classifies fabrics according to suitable end use and ranges from 10,000 Martindale rubs (Domestic light duty) to 30,000 Martindale rubs (Commercial heavy duty).
Colourfastness to rubbing This test identifies the tendency of dye to rub off the fabric and to stain other (dry or wet) fabrics it comes into contact with. Crocking can be the result of lack of penetration of the dyeing agent, the use of incorrect dyes or dyeing procedures, or the lack of proper washing procedures and finishing treatments after the dyeing process. Grades range from 1 (considerable change in colour/staining) to 5 (no change in colour/staining). Ratings of 3 and 4 or better for wet and dry rubbing respectively are regarded as acceptable.
Pilling resistance The pilling test uses the Martindale method to assess a fabric's tendency to fuzz or form small unsightly balls of loose fibres. Standards range from Grade 1 - excessive pilling to Grade 5 = no pilling. A minimum grade of 3-4 is regarded as satisfactory.
Seam slippage This test measures how much a seam sewn in the test fabric will pull apart when a maximum and minimum force is applied. This provides an indication of how well seams will stand up to pulling pressure and weight the fabric is subjected to (as in seating). A maximum 6mm opening at 180N force is regarded as acceptable.
Colourfastness to washing The colourfastness to washing test measures the fabric's ability to withstand colour change and staining of undyed cloths in the same wash in a variety of washing conditions. This identifies suitability for washing. Grades range from 1 (considerable change in colour/staining) to 5 (no change in colour/staining). Ratings of 3 and 3-4 or better for staining and colour change respectively are usually regarded as acceptable.
Colourfastness to solvents Colourfastness to solvents (in this case perchloroethylene) measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when exposed to drycleaning solvents. This indicates the suitablity of a fabric for drycleaning. Results can range from 1 - poor colourfastness to solvents to 5 - excellent colourfastness to solvents with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change.
Colourfastness to bleach. This test measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when it is laundered with bleach (in this case sodium hypochlorite). Results can range from 1 poor colourfastness to bleach - 5 excellent colourfastness to bleach with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change. Although test results indicate suitability for bleaching, we do not generally recommend bleaching of our fabrics. If a customer desires to use bleach, we recommend testing the appropriately diluted bleach solution on a hidden section of the fabric.
Colourfastness to chlorinated swimming pool water This test measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when in contact with chlorinated swimming pool water. This test is particularly relevant for outdoor fabrics which may be located in the vicinity of a pool. Results can range from 1 poor colourfastness - 5 excellent colourfastness with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change.