Toile Design A French word meaning "linen cloth" or "canvas," toile is a type of canvas-like fabric that has been a popular decorating element since the mid-1700s. The term "toile" can have a few different meanings, including the canvas-like fabric itself, a repeated pattern on the fabric, or a test garment made from the fabric. For decorating purposes, however, "toile" refers to a pattern repeated on the...