A Novel Question
I’ve never asked y’all this before:
What fabric should I use?
In a recent post, I wrote about how Kyle wanted to reupholster the settee I purchased last March.
Not my dog!
Kyle recommended Fabric Guru. “I get lost on this site for hours and end up buying stuff that I have no immediate need for!”
I scrolled through the site and became quickly overwhelmed!
Right away, I ignored all the “grandma” fabrics. I never go for anything too serious or conservative.
The back of the settee will likely be tufted, so this has to be taken into consideration. A really stiff fabric would be a poor choice, or something with too bold a pattern.
I did spot one fabric which captured my special attention:
This is a 14 yard remnant for only $168! I like how the circles complement the circles on the back of the chair. So, too, I like that the fabric is rich looking, while not being too serious.
I like the color a lot. I’m sooooooooo not into “dusty” colors. Rather, I like the unexpected and jolting. I mean, you did see my parlor, right?
Interestingly, I did NOT choose any of the upholstery fabrics! All the pieces came as such.
I only need four yards, so the 14 yard piece would offer ten extra yards for something else. Table skirt? Duvet cover? Trampoline?
I liked this, too, although I would rather a different color. And I worry that the pattern will get confusing on the tufted back.
So, with a kazillion choices, does anything capture your fancy?
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Rich vermilion would be remarkable!!! The golden or one just above would be marvelous but a little understated compared to the beautiful deep red tones. I also think it would tie-in to other elements of the parlor….
Even though it is expensive, Horsehair. I would also suggest a William Morris Fabric. There is a playfulness in the patterns and they are stunning.
I love horsehair, Michael.
But I worry if it would tuft well.
I do know that tufted horsehair backs were not uncommon in the Victorian era. I found examples on Pinterest by searching “horsehair upholstery”. Clicking on one of the pictures led me to this.
It looks like an auction site. The page features what they describe as:
Furniture: Suite-Parlor; Victorian, Eastlake, Walnut, Horsehair Upholstery, 7 Pieces.
I did not search to see if they are already sold or will be in an upcoming sale.
Although the upholstery is old and the stuffing has shrunken and shifted, and the twine that makes the platform for the stuffing of the seat has broken in many places, (so the tufting doesn’t look so great), all seven pieces have tufted horsehair backs. It could be the original upholstery, but without inspecting in person, can’t tell.
*I would not venture to choose a fabric unless I knew where the settee would be used and any decorating decisions that you will be making for that room. I have bought so many pieces of fabric that I love that I can’t use because they just wouldn’t look good in the rooms in which I want the pieces they would go on. Many fabrics could look great on your sofa, but how many will work with your decorating choices?
I love the Beacon Hill Founder Belgian Cotton Velvet Upholstery Fabric in Bordeaux. Here.
Oh, that is luscious, Linda!
Can you find a use for this one.
Would love to see this in the Cross House.
That is lovely, too. It seems so right for the house!
Yes, It seems to be made for your house
7 Yards HV15813 Italian Made Velvet Upholstery Fabric in Antique Gold, this is really luscious and I think would look great as well
You could get away with this in your big rooms and with bold colors.
So many! Each time I think, no, this one is even better. This website is wicked.
I personally would not tuft that fabric – it would not suit either the fabric nor the settee. It would be better with a contrasting piping for a modern unexpected pop. Or just sew fun colored buttons in some of the circles?
The question then becomes what to dso with the seat. It is hard to tell the real color of your fabric choice on a computer screen so a close match of any red colors would be risky. Is it for your parlor? Funny, I am getting a vibe for something turquoise…Swathe in Nile Woven Upholstery Fabric by Mill Creek $6.95 per yard might be an option
Hi, Kim!
I have a very similar chair in the parlor, and it has a tufted back. I think it looks great. See here.
Kyle said that once she takes off the existing fabric on the settee, she might be able to ascertain how it was upholstered originally.
Oh, I thought you meant the back of the backrest. My mistake. I love the other chair’s upholstery job. I would use a solid fabric color if tufting – it looks cleaner and less fussy. Would you also tuft the arms ? That may be too much of a good thing , but they were usually tufted I believe.
4.5 Yards Robert Allen Silk Heirloom Silk Damask Decorator Fabric in Terracotta, just enough fabric. Would love to see this in real life. It seems to have a slight relief pattern in it. This could be totally timeless.
No idea how you are going to make a choice.
Ooh – I’m with you, Linda – I’d love to see this in real life! ☺
💜 Damask is timeless (IMO) and since this pattern doesn’t seem too specific or representative, it wouldn’t compete with nearby design elements.
I wouldn’t mind seeing this in a deep emerald green… or, eggplant or, turquoise or, red-hot magenta or … 😉
First decide color. Then go from there. The site is too over whelming.
I can’t decide. Color wise, the green family.
You need to go see and feel fabric. Some fabric stretches too much to get a neat upholstery job. It varies drastically as to thickness, and sheen. You want something that feels comfortable to the touch.
What is on it now, gives you a good guide as to pattern size, the arm pieces are quite small and it would need to look right.
The frame is a curious mix of both square and circle shapes. The current fabric, again, does a good job of having both.
If you are going to put this in the same room as the green tufted chair, then you also should be choosing fabric that goes with it. That chair looks as if it is done in a velvet sort of fabric.
If you decide to tuft the back you will need more of a plain or much smaller pattern.
In order to know how a material is likely to work for upholstery, you really need to see it, feel it, stretch it across, vertically and diagonally, fold it, bend it etc. None of these things can you do online. On the other hand, you may find some, with a name and pattern you like and then find a remnant online.
I always love mohair velvet, but Fabric Guru doesn’t have much of a selection (& maybe it qualifies as a “grandma fabric”).
How about a saturated stripe? 4.63 Yards Robert Allen Bartolini Italian Woven Decorator Fabric in Sangria.
One of the difficulties for an upholsterer with tufting is that each diamond or shape needs to have any pattern centered or carefully placed in such a way that it doesn’t look off center. At the same time, the appearance of the back must complement that of the seat. For example, It is considered to be very important that a striped fabric on the back and seat align. The pattern repeats of many fabrics that look great just wouldn’t work with tufts. I am not maligning upholsterers, it may not be possible to get a good look. It also takes more fabric for a tufted back than for a flat one, so you might want to get extra yardage to allow the upholsterer to experiment a bit.
Maybe go with a fabric that will be exciting nearly anywhere but also, won’t detract too much from the beautiful wood design elements – like a moiré. Moiré will tuft well if necessary, it has it’s own sheen, it’s fairly durable, and even in a light color, it can look quite lush – like a Tiffany blue. This settee is a lovely piece and you may want to move it around.
I’ll toss in my bid for some variation of turquoise or, purple… hot pink, maybe?
Obviously, color is going to be entirely up to you Ross but, I think we all have complete confidence in your impending momentous decision – no pressure. 😉
Go for a bold neutral fabric!
I just had a beautiful 1920s chair reuphoulstered and chose a moss green. Normally, I’d go for a vibrant pattern. BUT I also don’t want to have the dark thing re done every few years. I can, however, drape it in throws and pillows whenever I want.
Also, my chair, like your settee is a unique shape and has carved wood. The contours of my chair (and your settee) would obscure any pattern that you could still see while squinting your eyes (an old uphoulsterer’s trick).
Looking forward to the final result!!
Shopthethirdfloor.com is an outlet for Scalamandre closeouts and other high end fabric. Usually has a sale on holiday weekends. Can order samples of most fabrics.
Yes the Beacon Hill Modern Damask Italian is the one or horsehair.
Is there an app where you can try the material on the settee not very comp literate but iT would give a better idea.❤️ love youre first Choice
Wow! So many ideas and suggestions! Do you wish you hadn’t asked us,Ross? Lol! First off, I love tufted uphoulstery, and I love your green chair in your parlour. Of all the samples so far, I like Linda Brandt’s first choice the best( the Belgium cotton Bordeaux). But I also love William Morris patterns. I do like something fun and unexpected on a vintage piece too though What room is this piece going to end up in? Foyer? Upstairs hallway? Keep posting choices. This is fun!
Linda, I have no idea where the settee will eventually go. Likely in a bedroom.
I am looking for a matched set of 1890s seating for the round receiving room.
I’d love to see some of the interiors you did back when you had your design practice! That would be one hell of a post.
I too detest dusty colors. I remember seeing the before and afters for Grey Gardens – loved the house but hate how the decorated it back in the 80s when first restored.
How about something festive like this?
Perfect!!!!!!
Hi there i love reading about your restoration . these are fabrics i found in the UK so not sure you could buy them in the USA but i like them as they are towards the style of your couch .
https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/Antique-Eastlake-3-Piece-Upholstered-Settee-Cha_6EB45D0979
this one would look good
https://www.linwoodfabric.com/product/fabrics/padstow-lagoon/
https://www.linwoodfabric.com/product/fabrics/padstow-rose-mist/
https://www.loomefabrics.co.uk/shop/product/green-arts-and-crafts-w-morris-chenille-curtain-upholstery-fabric/william-morris-designs-little-willow-jacquard-weave-moss.html
https://www.loomefabrics.co.uk/shop/product/duck-egg-arts-and-crafts-w-morris-chenille-curtain-upholstery-fabric/william-morris-designs-little-willow-jacquard-weave-jade.html
https://www.loomefabrics.co.uk/shop/product/red-georgian-victorian-chenille-curtain-upholstery-fabric/victoriana-peacocks-eye-rhubarb.html
Hi there you have possibly chosen a fabric already and apologies if i am giving to many suggestions .Your sofa is lovely
I like the blue one, but also the red. Hmm.
Blue: https://www.fabricguru.com/velvet-2/hamilton-ashford-velvet-upholstery-fabric-lapis.html
Red: https://www.fabricguru.com/velvet-2/beacon-hill-cyrus-velvet-upholstery-fabric-clay.html
Or they might be too grandma for you, I dunno.