Most older coaches still have perfectly good bases but their aesthetic may be undermined by worn or faded fabric. So save some money – while protecting the environment – by reupholstering a sofa rather than throwing it out.
Of course, the thought of selecting a fabric can seem intimidating. You may feel comfortable choosing a sofa when it’s sitting in front of you. But selecting a piece of cloth and then visualising that fabric on a sofa is something else entirely. How do you choose a fabric? How do you know it will look good? Will your newly reupholstered sofa fit in with the rest of your living room?
Everyone feels like this before selecting an upholstery fabric. The best way to address these concerns is to learn the fundamentals of fabric selection.

Sofa Upholstery: The Basics

Durability

Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first. When selecting a fabric we immediately think about colour. However, durability is equally important. A sitting room sofa needs to be robust enough to stand up to the day-to-day demands of a family home.
In general, woven patterns are usually sturdier than printed patterns, therefore we recommend selecting woven patterns with the highest thread count and the tightest weave possible.
If pets and young children will be using the couch, we recommend choosing leather or microfiber fabric.

Style

A major consideration when selecting a fabric is choosing the right style to suit your personal taste. The fabric should also compliment the sofa it's covering. For example, if you have a traditional style sofa, choose a traditional style fabric, a modern sofa base should be covered with a modern fabric.
Some fabrics are casual and some are formal. So think about your sitting room. Is your living room casual or formal? Relaxed or elegant? Whether the atmosphere in your sitting room, choose a fabric that reflects this ambience.
When considering patterns be aware of how the size of your sitting room will impact your selection. Large attention-grabbing fabric patterns usually suit larger spaces, while a more muted, simple pattern will work better in a cosier space.

Fabric Color

Colour is probably the first thing considered when choosing a fabric. Fabric colour can make or break a re-upholstery project.
Therefore you should take your time and select a colour you know you will be happy with for years to come. With a view to the future, it's best to avoid bold shades for smaller rooms. Vivid colours can overpower the rest of the space. Neutral colours tend to be the better choice as they age better than the myriad of on-trend colour-of-the-moments that come and go every session.
Avoid delicate colours or pastel colours if you have pets or children. Unfortunately, stains can undermine even the most beautiful fabric.
One tip when considering colours is to gauge the mood temperature of your sitting room. Warm colours like red, yellow and orange give a space a distinctive cosy ambience. Cold colours like blues, greens & violets can give a room a light, airy atmosphere.

Conclusion

The above is an introduction to some of the considerations of selecting a re-upholstery fabric. If you still have questions or would like to see our range of Sofa Upholstery Wexford fabrics, please get in contact with our fabric store today.

While most people spend time considering colours, patterns and curtain styles they can sometimes neglect considering fabrics.

There are a variety of curtain fabrics available. Different fabrics are suitable for different styles and rooms within the home. This blog outlines the various curtain fabrics available from Curtain Creations.

Curtain Fabrics

• Cotton

This extremely versatile fabric has been the curtain material of choice for 100s of years. Cotton offers a clean and crisp feel that is particularly suited to modern, minimalist interiors. The overall lightness of cotton means cotton curtains need to be lined.

• Silk

Probably the most luxurious of all the materials, silk may not be as functional as some of the other fabrics available but it is quite beautiful when used correctly. As a heavy material, silk tends to drape well. We recommend using silk curtains in bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Be warned, however, silk is a dry-clean only material meaning it can be costly to maintain. Silk is also susceptible to sun damage so it shouldn’t be used on windows that get a lot of sunlight.

• Polyester

Polyester is the most popular material choice for curtains. Its relatively low cost, durability and the fact it doesn’t easily shrink, wrinkle or stretch make it great for almost every room in the house. However, polyester is flammable and absorbs odours so it isn’t suitable for kitchens.

• Linen

A light, airy material, Linen curtains create a relaxed, ambient atmosphere in a room. Linen elegantly pools on a floor making them attractive in carpeted rooms. Linen is too light to block out sunlight. Therefore, linen should be considered an aesthetic choice rather than a functional choice.

• Velvet

Velvet can be made from natural or synthetic materials. Velvet curtains connote luxury and glamour. The heaviness of velvet makes this material great as an insulating curtain. Velvet also effectively blocks out sunlight and sound. Velvet curtains are an attractive choice for sitting rooms and bedrooms.

• Acrylic

Acrylic is a lightweight material that is similar to wool in texture. Acrylic drapes beautifully and despite its lightweight, it offers a high level of insulation. Acrylic disperses moisture, is hypoallergenic and is resistant to mildew and mould. Acrylic is, therefore, suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Rayon

Rayon is created by weaving a combination of natural fabrics together. Rayon is suitable for use throughout the home. However, rayon is dry clean only, so you should avoid hanging this curtain in areas susceptible to staining.

• Brocade

If you’re looking for regal, old-world charm then look no further than brocade curtains. Elaborately woven and elegant brocade style curtains are popular in manor houses and listed buildings.

• Lace

This romantic and traditional curtain material is great for both privacy and diffusing natural light. Lace is often available in neutral shades and is therefore easy to coordinate with different room colours. Some types of lace are dry clean only, while others are washing machine safe. Always check before attempting to machine wash lace curtains.

• Voile

This open weave fabric is often used for window sheers. Vole helps create a light, refreshing atmosphere and is also thick enough to offer complete privacy.

The above examples are just a quick introduction to the different curtain fabrics available from Curtain Creations. If you’re still not sure what made to measure fabric is right for your curtains, please give us a call today.