Thoughtful upholstery for treasured furniture, from family heirlooms to iconic vintage pieces.
How to choose the perfect fabric for your upholstery project
With so much choice available, selecting the right fabric for your project can be daunting. I can help you decide which fabric will work best for you, making sure it’s suitable for your furniture and compliant with fire regulations.
Here are some things to think about when making your choice.
Durability
Durability. Durability of upholstery fabric is measured using the martindale scale and all upholstery fabrics should have a rating. The martindale “rub test” records the amount of times discs can oscillate a standard abrasive surface across a fabric before it starts to show distress. A martindale rating of 30,000 is considered suitable for everyday use on furniture in the home. The higher the number, the more durable the fabric is considered to be. But it is important to bear in mind that actual performance of a fabric is determined by many factors, including how the furniture is used and cleaned, furniture design, pet claws and exposure to sunlight.
Colour
Consider what will work well with your decor. Are you looking to match it or to make a contrast? Lighter colours may make your room feel bigger whereas darker colours will hide stains and marks better. Fading of lighter colours may also be less noticeable than with stronger colours.
Patterns or plains
Plain fabrics give the impression of space and may make a room feel bigger. If you are considering a patterned fabric, it’s important for the scale of any pattern to suit the scale of the furniture being covered. Small patterns tend to work better on small pieces of furniture or when being used as accents, with larger patterns being more suited to larger pieces.
Texture
Texture. If you are considering a plain fabric, it can be nice to introduce some texture. Textured fabric can bring a feeling of depth and luxury to your furniture. It can also be better at hiding small stains and blemishes than a flat, plain fabric.
Pets
Loose weaves, silk, chenille or heavily textured fabrics can be easily snagged if you have pets. Performance fabrics that better resist claws, stains and fur may be a better choice.
Natural or synthetic
Natural fibres are more sustainable than synthetic – they are renewable and biodegradable, and most plant based (e.g. linen and cotton) and animal (e.g. silk and wool) based fibres are strong. However, synthetic fibres can be less expensive and resist stains better.
Regulatory compliance
All fabrics used on furniture manufactured after 1950 must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. There are three ways which fabrics can fall within the scope of these regulations. Firstly, a fabric may be inherently fire retardant. Secondly, if a fabric is made from at least 75% natural fibres, it can be used with an interliner underneath to bring it in line with regulations. Thirdly, most fabrics can be back coated with a chemical treatment to bring them within fire regulations, but this may change the look and feel of the fabric.
After care
Before deciding on a fabric, it is worth checking that you are happy to take care of the fabric in the recommended way (e.g. machine wash and dry clean).
Price
Decent upholstery fabric starts at around £25 per metre. When thinking about costs for a project, budgeting £50 or £60 per metre would give you access to a good choice of fabrics.
In my workshop, I stock a wide range of plain and textured samples. If you’re considering using a pattern on your furniture, I will talk to you about your requirements and order some samples specific to your needs.
As well as choosing the fabric for your project, you may need to decide on a decorative finish. This could be single or double piping (which can be made in your chosen fabric), braid or gimp, or decorative nails.
Inspiration
For fabric inspiration, Jane Clayton is a good place to start. You can filter fabrics by usage (choose “upholstery”) and then by the look, pattern, colour, price, etc. of your choice. I have accounts with many reputable fabric suppliers, including:
For decorative finishes, a good selection of upholstery braid and gimp can be found at JA Milton Upholstery. Decorative nails can be found at Heico Direct.