10 things you need to know when choosing fabric
1. All fabrics are assessed for a Martindale Rub Test, which simulates wear, and is an indicator of how hard wearing the fabric will be. For general domestic use, the recommendation is 20,000 rubs or more.
2. Sofas can have a fixed cover or a removable cover. A fixed cover can be (and usually is) made of a synthetic fabric and then treated or back coated to make it fire resistant, to meet UK FR standards. Removable covers must be made out of a minimum 75% natural fibre, and are then placed over a FR barrier lining.
3. Some fabrics are labelled as ‘washable’. This will mean that when washed, these fabrics will not shrink significantly, and will still fit. Beware of using stripes or other pattern matched fabric if you are going to wash your covers, as the fabric may move slightly when washed, and may not match perfectly.
4. Cotton is the most commonly used upholstery fabric. It is strong, soft and comfortable and absorbs and releases moisture quickly, thus making it ‘breathable’. It also takes dye very easily. It can be woven in many different ways making it the most versatile of yarns.
5. Linen is a strong fibre, which also absorbs and releases moisture quickly. Remember that pure linens can crease easily, and is therefore often mixed with other yarns to prevent this. It is often used in its’ natural colour or is used as a base for a coloured print. Works brilliantly on slip covers.
6. Wool gives a sense of warmth and comfort unmatched by other fabrics.. Wool absorbs sound which can be quite useful, but some weaves can feel prickly, so make sure you like the feel of it before choosing a pure wool fabric for your sofa.
7. Silks and embroidery are beautiful, and you will see it on occasional furniture items. However, neither is robust enough to cope with the rigours of a modern day family. Silk can however, add a wonderful touch of glamour as scatter cushions. For a more hardwearing alternative, try a velvet, which has a similar vibrancy of colour.
8. The sofa is the biggest, most obvious thing in your living room, so choosing the right colour is critical. If your walls and curtains are plain, then a sofa can take a print, check or stripe with a bright or even multiple colours. If however you want to use patterned wallpaper, or have large windows with printed curtains, a neutral colour will be better. A neutral room allows you to change accessories frequently to refresh the look. Charcoals, linens and browns are most popular.
9. Patterned and striped fabrics add character to a room, and tonal patterns and stripes are a great middle ground between neutrals and prints. Our fabrics are graded into random cut and pattern matched which will be discussed with you in store.
10. To get the best wear out of your sofa, consider having a protective coating on it. Note that some fabrics may not be suitable for a protective coating, as the coating can damage appearance. We will let you know if this is the case.