Decorating
Fabric Shopping: Where to Find the Best Materials for Your Needs
This practical guide will take you straight to the source for gorgeous and inspirational fabrics to transform your home
From couches to cushions and curtains, this quick guide will help make the process of buying the right fabric for the job that little bit easier. Let’s face it, it’s not every day we have to buy metres of material, and with so many options (and prices!) out there, it can be a tad overwhelming. Do you choose aesthetic over practicality? Do you just go with what you love, or do you want to make an investment purchase? Here’s what to consider when choosing your fabric, and where to find it.
For more of a luxury feel, why not look at short-pile velvets? They will require a little bit of maintenance and care, but it’s well worth it for the quality of the finish.
My top stops for browsing a good range of fabrics: Bargain Upholstery Fabrics in Seaforth, NSW; Warwick Fabrics; Gummerson Fabrics; and Emily Ziz Style Studio
My top stops for browsing a good range of fabrics: Bargain Upholstery Fabrics in Seaforth, NSW; Warwick Fabrics; Gummerson Fabrics; and Emily Ziz Style Studio
To make cushion covers
Cushions are a great and easy way to inject colour, texture and life into a room. For cushions that will need to withstand day-to-day wear and tear, opt for fabrics that have a great weight and firm weave. They are less likely to warp and will be strong and durable enough to be used on the floor (we all know they end up there eventually!). My picks would be similar to upholstery fabrics – linens, heavy cottons, damasks or canvases. Upholstery fabrics, with their wide widths, mean you also get more cushions per metre, so it can actually work out to be more cost effective as well. When looking for fabrics I go anywhere for cushions – from upholstery stores such as Warwick, to Spotlight and Lincraft, IKEA and dress fabric stores.
Here is a handy guide for making your own cushions
Cushions are a great and easy way to inject colour, texture and life into a room. For cushions that will need to withstand day-to-day wear and tear, opt for fabrics that have a great weight and firm weave. They are less likely to warp and will be strong and durable enough to be used on the floor (we all know they end up there eventually!). My picks would be similar to upholstery fabrics – linens, heavy cottons, damasks or canvases. Upholstery fabrics, with their wide widths, mean you also get more cushions per metre, so it can actually work out to be more cost effective as well. When looking for fabrics I go anywhere for cushions – from upholstery stores such as Warwick, to Spotlight and Lincraft, IKEA and dress fabric stores.
Here is a handy guide for making your own cushions
For special statement cushions, have fun with finding fabrics you love. Silks and velvets make for gorgeous accent cushions, as well as leathers, suedes and faux furs, for a statement look. Have fun mixing textures, colours and trims to bring the look together.
Tessutti is great for special fabrics and trims. I also love to find one-off fabrics at places including Remnant Warehouse and Bev’s Remnant House. For gorgeous suedes and leathers, Etsy is a great resource. For those not comfortable with a natural leather, why not shop around for a faux suede?
Tessutti is great for special fabrics and trims. I also love to find one-off fabrics at places including Remnant Warehouse and Bev’s Remnant House. For gorgeous suedes and leathers, Etsy is a great resource. For those not comfortable with a natural leather, why not shop around for a faux suede?
To work magic in the kitchen
When adding soft furnishings and coverings into the kitchen, the key is longevity, but also practicality. It’s best to look at fabrics that are stain-repellant (or Scotchgard sprayed) to make cleaning up disasters easier! Having a fabric that is spill-repellant is also a must for the kitchen – keep in mind, it doesn’t mean the fabric is waterproof, but will repel splashes and spills. If you’re keen to have surfaces water repellant, look at adding an underlayer of waterproof vinyl or marine fabric to your fabric of choice.
When adding soft furnishings and coverings into the kitchen, the key is longevity, but also practicality. It’s best to look at fabrics that are stain-repellant (or Scotchgard sprayed) to make cleaning up disasters easier! Having a fabric that is spill-repellant is also a must for the kitchen – keep in mind, it doesn’t mean the fabric is waterproof, but will repel splashes and spills. If you’re keen to have surfaces water repellant, look at adding an underlayer of waterproof vinyl or marine fabric to your fabric of choice.
You also want to look for something that can easily be laundered and spot-cleaned. With this in mind, shopping around for an outdoor fabric is the safest tip. Otherwise, a great fabric to consider is Mexican oilcloth. It’s durable, water repellant and can be used for anything from tabletops to chair cushions. I recommend having a look at Me Too Please, which is one of the main suppliers of oilcloth in Australia.
My top spots for shopping kitchen fabrics would be: Fab Outdoor Fabrics; Warwick Fabrics; and Spotlight
My top spots for shopping kitchen fabrics would be: Fab Outdoor Fabrics; Warwick Fabrics; and Spotlight
To make your own curtains
Curtains are a great way to add colour to a room, but also need to be functional in terms of privacy and keeping out light. Opt for fabrics that have a specially designed backing that is bonded to the fabric. This cuts out light and helps reduce UV rays from damaging other surfaces within your room. Try to steer clear of pure natural fibres as they will fade and discolour far more rapidly than fabrics that have been UV treated.
Curtains are a great way to add colour to a room, but also need to be functional in terms of privacy and keeping out light. Opt for fabrics that have a specially designed backing that is bonded to the fabric. This cuts out light and helps reduce UV rays from damaging other surfaces within your room. Try to steer clear of pure natural fibres as they will fade and discolour far more rapidly than fabrics that have been UV treated.
If heavy-duty bonded fabrics aren’t your style, try adding a double curtain – using a sheer or gauze fabric closest to the window and your fabric of choice on the outer. You can have fun with panelling colours and designs to customise the look for the room. Just ensure all fabrics have the same weight. You will want all layers to drape, or ‘fall’, in a similar way so the curtain looks more uniform.
Places such as Spotlight and IKEA are great for DIY curtaining on a budget. If you’re after something more specialised, try Warwick Fabrics, Ella And Sofia or Zepel Fabrics.
Places such as Spotlight and IKEA are great for DIY curtaining on a budget. If you’re after something more specialised, try Warwick Fabrics, Ella And Sofia or Zepel Fabrics.
To create a showstopper
For statement pieces, there are plenty of fabric suppliers you could look at for purchasing the perfect piece. From accent cushions and table runners to footstools or upholstery, the perfect fabric can make the absolute difference and add that special personal touch to your room.
For Florence Broadhurst fans, you can’t go past Signature Prints. For an injection of Nordic Style, Marimekko is undoubtedly a favourite.
For statement pieces, there are plenty of fabric suppliers you could look at for purchasing the perfect piece. From accent cushions and table runners to footstools or upholstery, the perfect fabric can make the absolute difference and add that special personal touch to your room.
For Florence Broadhurst fans, you can’t go past Signature Prints. For an injection of Nordic Style, Marimekko is undoubtedly a favourite.
For something more personal or budget friendly, I always look towards Etsy or eBay. Never underestimate these sites. There is a great range of fabric sellers specialising in anything from African waxed cottons to Japanese Echino design and authentic Ikat and Batik textiles. For fashion-forward and flamboyant designs, I always love to pop over to Chee Soon & Fitzgerald.
If you want to design your own
If you’re keen to design your own fabrics, then why not look at stencilling or screen-printing? These methods allow you complete design control and to get hands-on with your home decor. Block printing and stencilling can be done easily at home with fabric paints you can pick up from you local art store or Spotlight/Lincraft stores. Heat setting is as easy as using your iron for the directed amount of time.
For larger metreages, you can have your design professionally screen-printed at a number of places. Publisher Textiles is my top pick – it carries its own line and also can work with you to manufacture your own custom print.
If you’re keen to design your own fabrics, then why not look at stencilling or screen-printing? These methods allow you complete design control and to get hands-on with your home decor. Block printing and stencilling can be done easily at home with fabric paints you can pick up from you local art store or Spotlight/Lincraft stores. Heat setting is as easy as using your iron for the directed amount of time.
For larger metreages, you can have your design professionally screen-printed at a number of places. Publisher Textiles is my top pick – it carries its own line and also can work with you to manufacture your own custom print.
To soften up your outdoor seating
When it comes to the outdoors, the choice of fabric is vital. You want something that is specifically treated to be used in the elements – wind, water, sun and insects. With the right repellant treatment, your fabric will last longer, and look newer for longer.
My tip, no matter what the fabric has been treated for, is to try to bring your outdoor cushions and coverings inside as often as you can when not in use. Over time, outdoor fabrics will develop mould and fade, but reducing the amount of time they are exposed to these elements will help.
When it comes to the outdoors, the choice of fabric is vital. You want something that is specifically treated to be used in the elements – wind, water, sun and insects. With the right repellant treatment, your fabric will last longer, and look newer for longer.
My tip, no matter what the fabric has been treated for, is to try to bring your outdoor cushions and coverings inside as often as you can when not in use. Over time, outdoor fabrics will develop mould and fade, but reducing the amount of time they are exposed to these elements will help.
Outdoor fabrics usually come in the wider widths (ie. 150cm wide) so you can cover more for less. Places such as Warwick Fabrics, James Dunlop Fabrics and OutdoorFabrics.com offer a great range and are an excellent starting point.
To come up with a masterpiece
Fabric panels are a great and fun way to add an art-like quality to your room. Incorporating a fabric piece to the back of a glass or Perspex splashback can instantly customise your kitchen space, and allows freedom to express your style. The types of fabric for this are endless, just so long as it’s protected by the splashback.
Fabric panels are a great and fun way to add an art-like quality to your room. Incorporating a fabric piece to the back of a glass or Perspex splashback can instantly customise your kitchen space, and allows freedom to express your style. The types of fabric for this are endless, just so long as it’s protected by the splashback.
On a smaller scale, why not look at framing your favourite fabric in a series of frames, or in a singular framed piece? It’s cost effective, easy to do and, with the endless range of designs out there to choose from, it’s just like choosing an artwork. Try to look for bold statement designs or intricate woven textiles to make the most of the artwork. Searching through markets and online for vintage garments is also a great way to find one-off interesting and special pieces.
TELL US
What kinds of fabrics have you used around the house? Share your projects, and high-res photos, in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Fun with Fabric: 15 Simple DIY Projects Worthy of Display
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TELL US
What kinds of fabrics have you used around the house? Share your projects, and high-res photos, in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Fun with Fabric: 15 Simple DIY Projects Worthy of Display
Say It With Flowers: Give Yourself a Lift With a Little Floral Whimsy
15 Gorgeous Ways to Dress Up Your Windows
When it comes to upholstery, my main rule is longevity. This isn’t an area where you can scrimp too much, but you can still be savvy. The beauty of investing in specific upholstery fabric is the width – all upholstery fabrics are 150cm wide, which makes covering large areas easy and seamless. The fewer the seams, the better.
Opt for something that has a good weight (amount of body to the fabric). It can be linen- or cotton-based, and some form of a synthetic blend, with the natural fibres actually increasing the fabric’s longevity over time.
Find out how to reupholster a chair seat