Fabrics That Are Similar to Kelly Wearstler's "Sea Urchin"? Good Questions

Q: I am in love with Kelly Wearstler's Sea Urchin fabric (larger photo below). I have been trying to find something more affordable to recover my dining room chairs with, but haven't found anything similar. (I've thought about forking over the $96 a yard, but I just can't do it) I love the cream-grey vibe and the non-structural pattern. Any suggestions?

Sent by Liz

Editor: Please share your fabric suggestions with Liz in the comments below - thanks!

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Comments (12)

That's such a simple design that I'd be tempted to buy plain fabric and use a fabric marker to draw a design on it.

How big are the urchins? You can buy some decent plain linen from ebay for around $10/yd then get a large potato and some x-acto blades and make a stamp. Print the urchins on your fabric using some paint made especially for fabric. There's a great book on simple printing by Lotta Jansdotter, "Lotta Prints". Her esthetic is similar to these urchins. Ms. Jansdotter has spot on Etsy too.

Alternatively you could buy some $9/yd fabric by Amy Butler. While most of her prints are busy, she has a few that are more sparse, again, a similar esthetic. Amy has a website: http://amybutlerdesign.com
I'm thinking her "Optic Blossom" or "Modern Floating Buds"

ikea have one just like it, a wihte on black, or black on grey i think. saw it (in the uk) two weeks ago. hope that helps!

Take a look at Australian Aboriginal prints - the simplicity and structure are similar.

Either printing (potato or Gocco if you have one) or have you thought about buying some embroidery thread and trying it that way?

How many yards do you need? If it is just for seats, save up and do it.

I would highly recommend physically visiting some fabric stores. There are millions of prints available, and you might find something similar for much less.
If you are covering dining chair seat, I personally would avoid linen....although beautiful, linen would make great drapes...but not chair seats. Linen wrinkles and creases terribly, as well as stretches out. It would look great until you sat on it...(regardless how tight it was pulled)
I would instead, make sure to get a good "upholstery" grade fabric, that is made to wear well for this such purpose.

You might also want to check for cotton drapes or sheets with a similar pattern...the panel or sheet could be used as your "fabric". (just don't get anything "sateen"...it will pill in no time).

*If* you can't find anything...I agree with geckotoes1...
it really is a very simple pattern for a DIY. You could probably even find a stencil for it...or one very similar.
You could go the route of commissioning a hand printed fabric, but I don't know that it would end up being much less than the original fabric....though it could be worth checking out.

Best of luck....it is a beautiful print.
Hope to see the finished product.

You can print fabrics at Spoonflower, but check ebay--very often, designer fabrics are sold there.

Thanks for suggestions and advice! I never thought about printing my own fabric...I didn't think I would get good results, but all the tips are very encouraging!!! time to tackle the chairs ~ Liz

I have seen this very fabric for sale on eBay - just set up a search for "Groundworks" or "Urchin fabric."