Good Questions: Online Upholstery Fabric Suggestions?

Erin is looking for some suggestions: I got Target's Milano Espresso and Mocha chair (shown here) from a thrift store brand new for $25.00, so I couldn't pass it up. But lately I've been wanting to spruce them up by making new cushion covers and recovering the back and sides- the way this chair is put together it should be simple. I don't have many good fabric stores in my area so can anyone offer suggestions on upholstery-grade fabric I can purchase online that would look good on these chairs?

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Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
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I'm up for patterns or solids in any range of colors- we don't have a set color scheme or anything yet. We will be moving and this will be among the first of our decorating projects, so i'd like to get my fabric selections then decorate from there.

Please share your suggestions for specific fabrics available online, color suggestions or any good online sources for upholstery fabric that Erin can browse through...thanks!

Comments (21)

check into the natural fabrics at greensage.

http://www.greensage.com/12051-fabricnatural.html

posted by sharon_e on August 5th 2008 at 1:26pm
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http://www.jcarolinecreative.com

posted by Gigi818 on August 5th 2008 at 1:39pm
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Elizabeth also re-upholstered some chairs with Ikea curtain fabric a while ago. If not Ikea, maybe look for other sturdy curtains or drapes.

posted by Ironsides on August 5th 2008 at 1:40pm
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I just bought some fabric online (from fabricguru.com). At $75 for 11 yards, t was a good price, but when it arrived, it was clearly not durable enough for my project (sofa) and it had a gold glitter that couldn't be captured in photos. It cost $35 to send it back. I don't think it's unfair for me to pay return shipping, just saying, be very sure you know what you're getting. Color and texture might not be exactly as you imagine. Fabric guru does send swatches for $1 for many of their fabrics.

posted by erica on August 5th 2008 at 1:45pm
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http://www.modern-fabrics.com/ has some great reclaimed fabrics. Good prices on some upper-end fabrics. I only ask that you don't buy the one that I've been eyeing. :-)

posted by girlandadog on August 5th 2008 at 2:08pm
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After an exhaustive search for just the right pattern and color, I found my fabric here: http://www.mainecottage.com/

posted by aptrxholic on August 5th 2008 at 3:17pm
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check out Knolltextiles - they are commercial grade fabrics and they sell to the public without a designer. They'll even send memo samples if you call your local showroom.

http://www.knoll.com/products/productline_12.jsp

if you go to "refine your search" you can even look by color.

posted by karotts on August 5th 2008 at 4:12pm
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I have purchased upholstery fabric on Ebay. I recently purchased a very fashionable Sunbrella fabric to use on an interior chair. $100 for 12 yards (54" bolt). It was discounted because they consider it a remnant.

posted by firstfriday on August 5th 2008 at 4:18pm
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I'd suggest Ebay or Craiglist. What about the Discount Fabric USA that was listed on here the other day? Anybody have experience with them?

posted by madampince on August 5th 2008 at 4:56pm
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Anna Maria Horner, Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler, and Denyse Schmidt all have really bold graphic home decor weight fabric lines out right now.

Also, fabriclist.com has links and descriptions of just about every fabric store on the web. And if there's an IKEA near you they sell fabric off the bolt too, but I don't think they sell it in their online store.

Always check return policy (and remember fabric is heavy!) before you buy and consider getting a swatch if it's not something in limited supply.

posted by lzhets on August 5th 2008 at 5:04pm
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i really like the E-Bay seller Peace By Piece Fabrics. Even more fabulous (and fabulously expensive) is Restoration Fabrics and Trims, also on E-Bay.

posted by mrs yow on August 5th 2008 at 5:18pm
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I've done two pieces in fabric from http://www.iluvfabrix.com/

Horrible name, but nice fabrics. And the remnant section is very nice. Fabriclist.com likes them too.

posted by jrochest on August 5th 2008 at 11:19pm
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I had the same problem with fabricguru.com -- the fabric I got was described as upholstery weight, but wasn't sturdy enough for the chair I wanted it for. It was cheap enough that it wasn't worth sending back, but frustrating.

posted by Cheryl on August 6th 2008 at 1:09am
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sewmamasew.com

reprodepot.com

Not all are upholstery weight fabrics but they have some lovely options!

posted by suziegoombs on August 6th 2008 at 5:22am
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Crypton "Super Fabrics" has a great online shopping site. You can order swatches before committing to anything. Not exactly "cheap" but very durable and stain/mildew/odor/etc-resistant so if it will last much longer, even with pets/kids.

posted by DGen on August 6th 2008 at 5:59am
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Chicago - you guys are all missing the treasure trove in your backyard. Textile Discount Outlet in Pilsen - 2121 W 21st St. Although they don't have the most modern or trendy selection, but you can definitely find some amazing things. Best of all, they have a humongous room of upholstery fabrics that are ALL $6.50 a yard. Unheard of! This warehouse is definitely more of a treasure hunt type place than your normal fabric store. Everything is a mess, sometimes you have to dig, and notions are just all over the place in the basement. They also give student discounts, or just regular good customer discounts. Get to know the manager.

Please go there - since leaving Chicago this is the number one place that I miss. I BEG all of you to go there!

posted by kiddo katsu on August 6th 2008 at 7:46am
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Hello Arin & Janel,

This is a great post with very good comments.

We specialize in extremely durable, designer interior fabrics rescued from furniture factories throughout the Southeast.

Check out our selections listed by manufacturer, yardage, and pattern description. We always recommend you request fabric sample swatches before making a purchase, and we gladly mail fabric samples free of charge!

Also check out Apartment Therapy's recent feature about our company and online fabric store.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/fabric-textiles/modern-fabrics-company-reclaimed-designer-fabrics-for-the-publicboston-054621

Good luck with your anticipated move and we hope we can help you with all of your fabric projects.

Please reply with any questions or comments!

Thank you from Modern Fabrics!

James Ewa Powell (owners)
http://www.modern-fabrics.com
704-740-9675

posted by Modern Fabrics on August 6th 2008 at 8:22am
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I've just registered with AT so that I could recommend Lewis and Sheron in Atlanta http://www.lsfabrics.com/

Their selection is fantastic and their prices, in my experience, are great. Just bought 40 yards of curtain fabric from them after finding the very same stuff at a local place, known for good values, for almost 3 x the price. In addition to the regular selections, they've got a vast archive section -- there's a 25 yd minimum there, but if you've got a big project it's definitely worth looking. I don't think there's a minimum with their regular stock.

They don't give you much info online about fabric weight and content and that sort of thing, though you can sometimes deduce by the category they've put it in. You have to pay for samples but it's worth it. And the people on the phone are very helpful.

posted by ljhchi on August 6th 2008 at 10:19am
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thanks everyone for the suggestions! i never knew about most of these online stores and i'm finding lots of great fabrics! now i just have to narrow it down!

posted by eribear12 on August 11th 2008 at 6:40pm
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Please also check out my store in Bucktown - we carry the hottest designers and have a ton of upholstery weights.
http://www.theneedleshop.net/fabrics

posted by theneedleshop on November 16th 2008 at 3:13am
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My personal favorite is
http://www.restorationfabricsandtrims.com

Scalamandre, Brunschwig & Fils, Clarence House, Lee Jofa, Kravet, and just about every other top line of fabrics you can only get through an interior decorator at less than a decorator would charge you. Don't know how they do it - fantastic fabric and very low prices on hundreds of upholstery and drapery fabrics.

posted by chip on January 17th 2009 at 2:38pm
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