Piqué, Imperial Stitch or Marsella is a fractionated fabric, normally made with cotton yarn or mixed, characterized by its raised parallel cords, fine ribbing or bees nest.
Piqué was developed by the Lancashire cotton industry in the late 18th century as a mechanized technique of weaving double cloth with an enclosed heavy cording weft.
It was originally used to make imitations of the corded Provençal quilts made in Marseille. Today it is a very versatile textile which is used in curtains, bedding and even upholstery.