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Good Questions: Upholstery Fabric Resources?

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Hi AT Readers! I recently inherited a beautiful danish modern chair from my great-aunt. It's in wonderful shape but no cushions came with it. I have contacted an upholsterer with reasonable rates that I found through Craigslist but I'd like to buy the fabric myself. I live in Philadelphia and although there's a "fabric row" area with a bunch of fabric stores, none of them seem to have any truly modern fabrics. I've found some beautiful fabrics that I like online from sites such as purlsoho and reprodepot but they all seem to be 100% cotton fabrics suitable for quilting and sewing clothing. Can anyone help me with a source (either online or in Philadelphia) for inexpensive modern upholstery-weight fabric? If anyone has any specific fabric recommendations, that would also be appreciated. I love bright colors and patterns. Thanks! Tracey

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

 
 

What a lovely chair! (we're totally jealous!) While this is an older post and many of these sales are long over, this Patterned Upholstery Fabrics post from AT: Chicago has some great resources in the links.

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Good Questions, upholstery, Philadelphia

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Comments (37)

I would check out Ikea's fabric first because if you like something there, it's guaranteed to be cheaper than most of your other options.

posted by margrietta on March 17th 2009 at 8:33am
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I can't help you with the fabric sources but I wanted to say I LOVE your chair. Please post after pics when you're all done with the cushions.

posted by Monica on March 17th 2009 at 8:36am
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Check out jandofabric.com I just picked up some cool barkcloth that was at least drapery weight. Most of its reproduction stuff but its great quality and they have some more mid-century modern stuff than most of the places I checked out.

posted by DebH on March 17th 2009 at 8:47am
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I have upholstered a few chairs myself. Just my two cents, do not buy a fabric on line based only on looks. You need a strong, thick fabrick for a chair. Like a damask thickness. The pattern could change. I know Marimekko has heavier fabrics. Remember, you will sit on it, so it will thin out pretty quick if you get a superthin one

posted by Anusha73 on March 17th 2009 at 8:51am
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I also live in Philadelphia and I have found that JoAnn Fabrics has a really great selection. The actual store has a better selection than online. Also www.jcarolinecreative.com is an awesome website that has tons and they are separated by fabric type.

posted by crzybckyf on March 17th 2009 at 8:52am
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Ebay has a number of sellers selling Knoll, Herman Miller, DesignTex, etc. on bolts. It's not super-cheap, but much cheaper than buying it the traditional way (to the trade). You can be sure that these fabrics are upholstery weight, and the quality is superb. Great modern designs, too.

posted by farmhousemoderne on March 17th 2009 at 8:56am
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I've used Lewis and Sheron textile (lsfabrics.com) before and have been very happy with the prices and service. Good mix of traditional and modern and I think they only carry upholstery weight fabric. Tonic Living (tonicliving.com) has cute home decor fabric too. Good luck!!

posted by giggit on March 17th 2009 at 9:00am
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I live in Grand Rapids, MI and there are quite a few furniture companies in the greater Grand Rapids area like Herman Miller and Haworth. I found that they both have outlets where they sell their bolt ends and overstocks. You could do a little research into Philadelphia furniture companies for the same types of stores. I've bought over 50 yards of super high quality upholstery fabric for less than $50 bucks now! Good luck in your searches and I love your chair too!

posted by LisaWe on March 17th 2009 at 9:03am
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fabric.com
they have an amazing return policy and always have discount codes if you google. They also have a great modern selection.

http://www.fabric.com/home-decor-fabric-retro-fabric-cool-fabric.aspx?Source=LeftNav

posted by amandadom on March 17th 2009 at 9:15am
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You might want to check out Spool which is on South in the Grad Hospital area. I am not sure that they carry upholstery weights, but they do have a great selection of modern fabrics (hard to find near me on fabric row!). Maybe you can call first?
SpoolSewing.com

I was also hoping you could share your upholstery resource with us, I have been looking to recover a chair as well.

Your chair is beautiful, good luck!

posted by RedRedOrange on March 17th 2009 at 9:15am
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I bought some great retro fabric on Ebay. It looks like you don't need a whole bolt. I'm also looking for some retro fabric for my danish modern chairs, but I have a cat who loves to sit on these chairs! I need a strong, fur-resistant (or easily cleaned) fabric for my cushions. Any ideas?

posted by Ad-O-Matic on March 17th 2009 at 9:27am
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thanks everyone for your suggestions! i now feel like i have some good resources. it might take me a while to choose a fabric but I will definitely post photos of the end result.

RedRedOrange, my upholsterer's name is Tiffany. her website is here- http://misspatch13.tripod.com/.

posted by traceymariel on March 17th 2009 at 9:27am
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I recently went to Knoll Textiles on line, and I could not be happier! Prices were suprisingly competitive and the quality is fantastic! I would highly recommend this resource. The selection is vast, so ask for swatches before you finally come to your decision.
Love your chair! Good Luck!

posted by ri0tgirrl on March 17th 2009 at 9:27am
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Check out JoMar's in North Philly, but stop in regularly on the same day over a couple of weeks -- they often have a really good selection of upholstery-weight fabrics, but it depends on what their suppliers send them.

posted by weezy2 on March 17th 2009 at 9:36am
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Also do the Chinatown bus to Manhattan and check out Zarin's at Allen and Grand Streets (at the northern end of Chinatown.)

posted by weezy2 on March 17th 2009 at 9:36am
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Ad-O-Matic - you could try Crypton fabrics which are supposed to be very pet friendly. It is pricey, but for a small fee you can get fabric samples and then maybe scout around on-line for someone selling either an amount you need or a sale. I looked at this for my couch but for a big amount of yardage it was just going to cost too much - I decided to get my retro couch cleaned and leave it as-is since the fabric is still in good shape.

posted by Tobermory on March 17th 2009 at 9:46am
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Thanks! I found Michael Miller Laminated Cotton fabrics at several of the online stores. It seems to be similar to oil cloth. I'm thinking of "Lolli Dot" pattern that I found on craftersvision.com

posted by Ad-O-Matic on March 17th 2009 at 9:51am
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Mood in Midtown
Circle Fabrics downtown I think.

posted by gross on March 17th 2009 at 10:00am
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I second the recommendation that you check out Spool; I'm pretty sure I've seen these prints from J Caroline Creative. in the store. http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=1018a

Alas, I have to concur about Fabric Row - pretty traditional stuff. The only suggestion I have on that score is to check out PA Fabric Outlet (bet. Fitzwater and Catharine on the west side of Fabric Row). Lots of upholstery-weight fabric, their selection is ever-changing, their prices are great, and sometimes they have a few modern prints in the mix. And the staff is much friendlier and less pushy than other Fabric Row stores (at least in my opinion).

posted by creativeneurosis on March 17th 2009 at 10:01am
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Studiobon.net has tons of great, modern fabric that would look great on your chair. Check it out.

posted by shescrafty75 on March 17th 2009 at 10:05am
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http://www.winterbeachmodern.com/index.html

I got some fabric swatches from them and they looked good. They have some mid-century fabrics, and sometimes some good deals.

posted by Kindleke on March 17th 2009 at 10:09am
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I have purchased marimekko fabrics from this site to reupholster an armchair.

http://store.txtlart.com

Their prices are really competitive and they seem to have quite a good range.

Also - you may want to try Ikea's fabric department - they are definitely modern and really really affordable.

posted by wingchee on March 17th 2009 at 10:10am
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My mother had a very similar chair and I loved it. The original cushions were covered in a lovely olive, gold and orange raw silk stripe! After she passed away I didn't have a place for it so I gifted it to some dear friends who had been very kind to me and mom during her illness. Their home is fabulously warm and utilizes classic modern pieces. Mom's chair was also missing the cushions so my friends had new ones made and covered them in a beautiful tangerine and cream geometric Knoll fabric. It turned out great. This chair is all about the cushions so I wouldn't skimp on them. Also, consider a thinner cushion versus a thicker one. I've seen these done with thick...but mom's original cushions were thinner and it was a very elegant look.

posted by illycat on March 17th 2009 at 10:13am
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I don't know of anyone to do the work, but I came across this photo of a similar chair and thought the fabric was very nice with the wood: http://www.1stdibs.com/archivesB/upload/1stdibsC/111508_sb/PaulDonzellaNY/5/IMG_2326.jpg

posted by Torgny on March 17th 2009 at 10:45am
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Definitely try Knoll textiles: http://www.knoll.com/products/productline_12.jsp

Not only will you find a textile that is appropriate for upholstery (wear wise) but they have a great selection at what I think is not too expensive, considering you will hopefully have this great chair a very long time!

Check on the site if they have a retailer near you to be able to look at the samples in person.

Good luck!

posted by melissaw76 on March 17th 2009 at 10:55am
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I have ordered upholstery fabric from Modern Fabrics and have been very satisfied with both their customer service and the textiles themselves:
http://modern-fabrics.com/

The prices are very reasonable, and they stock several lines of high-end fabric that would be very well suited to your chair (Maharam, Knoll, Kravet, etc.).

posted by Anna at D16 on March 17th 2009 at 10:57am
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I just got wonderful amy butler fabric here in philly at
spool at 19th and south. They have a great selection.

http://www.spoolsewing.com/

posted by robinp on March 17th 2009 at 11:01am
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I have at some success with the high-end fabric stores in the Design Center in Philadelphia. If you only need a small amount of fabric, they will sometimes give you a good rate. If not, you can at least see and feel the fabric in person, and then find it cheaper online.

posted by vbp on March 17th 2009 at 11:46am
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Definitely see if you can get fabric from one of the big furniture companies as already mentioned. I also live in Grand Rapids MI and the Herman Miller factory store is a really great place to get that sort of thing.

posted by peshue on March 17th 2009 at 1:15pm
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definitely try tonic living, based in toronto. i've worked with them in the past and they're great - plus they have awesome retro and modern fabrics.

http://tonicliving.com

posted by darling on March 17th 2009 at 1:20pm
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Thank you Tracey for the plug! I see that chair looking really really beautiful!

posted by Tiffany Lee on March 17th 2009 at 2:53pm
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Ad-o-matic, you probably want to avoid laminated cotton. It's like plastic. Not so comfy. Michael Miller fabrics are really quilting fabrics. They are very light cotton and designs are printed, not woven, and prone to fading. That chair deserves serious fabric that you will love years from now. If you're investing in pro upholstery go all the way!

Have ordered from winterbeachmodern twice through Ebay and had great experiences both times.

posted by farmhousemoderne on March 17th 2009 at 3:46pm
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Anyone have more info on the Herman Miller & Knoll outlet stores referred to above? I didn't find an address or phone number through a web search.

posted by dmh on March 17th 2009 at 4:41pm
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http://www.mainecottage.com/

posted by aptrxholic on March 17th 2009 at 7:32pm
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thanks again for all of the great suggestions. i have found a few top contenders online and i'm going to check out ikea and spool before i buy anything. unfortunately my favorite at the moment is from maine cottage and it's $60 a yard and i need 3. i wasn't planning on spending $180. boo.

posted by traceymariel on March 18th 2009 at 2:55pm
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My folks had chairs like this when I was a kid, a LONG time ago. They had olive green and orange and gold striped cushions, with cording. I think the cording is important to the crispness of the look, but your fabric choice can be more interesting than stripes, of course.

posted by SherryBinNH on March 19th 2009 at 11:00am
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Hi Tracey

We have made custom upholstery for more that 25 years. So if you have any questions about just visit us at

Visit us

it will be a good resource for you.

thank you

posted by JMupholsteryinc on November 2nd 2009 at 4:17pm
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