Upholstery & Slipcover Fabric Buying Guide

Yes. Fabric by the yard can be used for upholstery projects, cushion covers, pillows, slipcovers, window seats, benches, crafts, repairs, and coordinating home décor projects.

If you are planning to make a slipcover or cushion cover yourself, make sure to order enough fabric for seams, pattern direction, mistakes, and matching repeats if the fabric has a pattern.

Yes. Many of our fabrics by the yard are the same upholstery-grade fabrics used for our custom slipcovers, cushion covers, ottoman covers, pillows, daybed covers, dining chair covers, and other made-to-order products.

That makes fabric by the yard helpful if you want to coordinate a DIY project with a cover made by our team.

Yes. We strongly recommend ordering swatches before buying fabric by the yard.

Fabric can look different in your home than it does on a screen because of lighting, wall color, flooring, nearby furniture, and screen settings. Swatches let you compare color, texture, weight, softness, and durability before committing to yardage.

Yardage depends on the type of project, the size of the furniture, the number of pieces, the fabric width, the pattern repeat, and whether you need extra fabric for seams, skirts, piping, mistakes, or future repairs.

If you are unsure, contact us with photos and measurements before ordering. We can help you think through the estimate, but it is always safest to order a little extra for custom or DIY work.

Fabric width is the usable width of the fabric from side to side, usually measured across the roll. Many upholstery fabrics are wider than standard craft fabrics.

Width matters because it affects how many yards you need and how pattern pieces can be arranged.

A fabric repeat is the distance before a pattern starts again. Large floral, damask, geometric, stripe, and patterned fabrics may require extra yardage so the pattern can be centered or matched across pieces.

If you are using a patterned fabric, plan for extra fabric. Matching patterns often takes more yardage than a solid fabric.

For slipcovers, we usually recommend upholstery-grade fabrics with enough structure and durability to hold their shape. Performance twills, heavyweight twills, canvas, heavyweight weaves, textured weaves, chenille, and pet-friendly fabrics are often good choices.

Very thin, delicate, slippery, or unstable fabrics may not work well for fitted covers.

For cushion covers, choose fabric based on how the cushion will be used. Everyday seat cushions usually need durable fabrics like performance twill, performance weave, heavyweight canvas, heavyweight twill, durable ripstop, or pet-friendly fabrics.

Decorative cushions or low-use spaces can use softer or more decorative textures.

For pets, choose tightly woven, pet-friendly, scratch-resistant, or high-durability fabrics. These tend to resist snagging and wear better than loose weaves or delicate decorative textures.

If your pet scratches, digs, or jumps on furniture, avoid open weaves, large loops, and fragile raised patterns.

For kids, look for durable, forgiving, easy-care fabrics. Performance fabrics, textured weaves, darker colors, and subtle patterns can help hide everyday messes and wear. Spill-proof fabrics are especially helpful, so feel free to look at our outdoor options (most look and feel just like indoor canvas, especially the Sunreal line of fabrics). 

For playrooms, family rooms, dining chairs, and breakfast nooks, durability and cleanability should come first.

For outdoor projects, choose indoor/outdoor performance fabrics or outdoor-rated fabrics designed to handle tougher conditions than standard indoor decorative fabrics.

If the fabric will be exposed to direct sun, rain, pool areas, or heavy moisture, contact us before ordering so we can help point you toward the best options.

The most durable choices are usually high-durability fabrics, performance weaves, performance twills, durable ripstop, heavyweight canvas, heavyweight twill, and tightly woven pet-friendly fabrics.

The best choice depends on the project, how often it will be used, whether you have pets or kids, and whether the fabric needs to feel soft, crisp, structured, or decorative.

Chenille, soft velour, SuedeTouch, and some textured weaves tend to feel softer and cozier than crisp canvas, twill, or heavy structured fabrics.

If softness is important, order swatches first so you can feel the fabric in person.

Medium-to-heavy fabrics with good structure usually create the cleanest tailored look. Twill, canvas, heavyweight weave, performance weave, and similar upholstery fabrics often hold shape well. Stretchy FlexFit fabrics have a form-fitting look that works on any size or shape of furniture. 

100% cotton can be a beautiful, breathable, natural option, especially for a casual look. It may wrinkle or shrink more than some synthetic performance fabrics, so care matters.

If you choose cotton for a fitted cover, follow care instructions carefully and avoid heat unless the fabric specifically allows it. We do have a few "pre-shrunk" cotton canvas fabrics in Organic Natural and White, that are more resistant to shrinking, but dry cleaning or spot cleaning is always recommended. 

Chenille can be a comfortable, soft, textured upholstery fabric and works well for many cozy living spaces. Our tight weave construction is also highly durable. 

Yes. Canvas is often a strong choice for slipcovers and cushion covers because it has structure, durability, and a casual look.

Heavyweight canvas is especially useful for high-use furniture, family rooms, benches, daybeds, and cushions that need to hold up to everyday life. Lightweight canvas in 100% cotton is a little more airy and breathable (heavyweight sometimes needs a little time to break in). 

Performance fabric is designed for more demanding everyday use than many decorative fabrics. Depending on the fabric, it may offer better durability, easier cleaning, tighter weave, stain resistance, or indoor/outdoor usability.

Performance fabrics are often a smart choice for family rooms, pets, kids, dining areas, rentals, and high-traffic spaces.

Yes. Fabric by the yard is a great choice for throw pillows, bolster pillows, lumbar pillows, pillow shams, and coordinating decorative accents.

Using the same fabric across pillows, cushion covers, and slipcovers can help a room feel more coordinated.

Often, yes. If the fabric is still available, you can order additional yardage to coordinate with an existing slipcover, cushion cover, daybed cover, ottoman cover, or pillow order.

Because fabric dye lots can vary over time, exact matches are easiest when ordering everything together or close in time.

Fabric color can vary slightly between dye lots. If you need multiple pieces to match as closely as possible, it is best to order the full amount of fabric or all related products at the same time.

If you are trying to match a past order, contact us before ordering and we’ll help you check the best option.

Fabric by the yard is cut specifically for your order, so it is not returnable like a standard ready-made item.

That’s why we strongly recommend ordering swatches first and confirming yardage before placing your order.

Yes. Some fabrics can shrink, especially natural fibers like cotton if washed or dried with heat.

Always check the fabric care instructions before washing or cutting. If you are making a fitted item, shrinkage can affect the final fit.

Care instructions depend on the specific fabric. Some fabrics may be machine washable, while others should be spot cleaned or dry cleaned.

Always check the care details before washing. When in doubt, spot cleaning or professional cleaning is often the safest option.

Yes. We work with designers, hotels, restaurants, offices, property managers, event spaces, rental properties, and other trade or business customers.

For commercial spaces, we usually recommend durable, performance-oriented fabrics that can handle frequent use.

Yes. If you are ordering fabric for a larger project, repeat order, hospitality property, designer project, office, restaurant, or business, contact us before ordering.

We can help with fabric recommendations, yardage planning, pricing, and project coordination.

Send us photos of your furniture, room, or project and tell us what matters most: durability, softness, color, texture, pets, kids, outdoor use, cleanability, budget, or style.

We’ll help point you toward the best fabric options for your project.