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Silk is so delicate that although it can be hand-washed it is best sent to the dry-cleaners. Polyester is a manufactured fiber that is resistant to stretching and shrinking. It is also quick drying, wrinkle resistant, and strong. Some aspects of choosing upholstery fabric might seem pretty obvious like selecting a color. Jacquard is a heavier fabric that tends to be multicolored and used for upholstery, as well as drapery. All leathers display a variety of unique natural markings and variations in color. Ideally, upholstery fabric should compliment your room’s decor and the furniture itself while also proving practical for your needs. Upholstery fabrics are designed to take more wear as they're usually a little more heavy and more durable than multi-purpose or drapery and curtain weight fabrics. There are natural fabrics such as mohair, wools and cashmeres, which are made from sheered and woven animal fur. Muslin is a plain woven fabric that comes in various weights. Chenille is French for “caterpillar,” chenille has a thick, soft pile and is one of today’s most popular fabrics. It was originally used in the 1800’s to block drafts at doors and windows. Velvet was originally made from silk for royalty. Rarely used alone, nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. Mohair is a very desirable fabric or yarn made from the long silky hair of the Angora goat. Mohair is characterized by its luster and exceptional strength. Velvet has one plush side and one plain woven side. Linen is a natural fiber obtained from the flax plant. Linen is durable and has a natural luster. Velveteen is made from thick woven cotton and is available with ridges known as corduroy. Rayon is a manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose which is processed from wood pulp. Rayon is characterized by it high absorbency, soft hand, and drapability. It can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton, or linen. The unifying element might be color, a type of print or a game of textures. Dye Lot is a batch of fabric or yarn that has been dyed at the same time. There may be some color variation from lot to lot. Acrylic is a manufactured fiber made with synthetic materials. Acrylic may have the look of wool, cotton, or other fabric blends. It is colorfast, moth resistant, quick drying, and retains shape. Developed as an imitation silk, linen, and cotton, rayon is durable, yet wrinkles easily. Recent developments have made high-quality rayon very practical. Your upholstery and drapery are what typically give your room that comfort factor that is sometimes hard to achieve. Fabrics are versatile and allow for quick and inexpensive reinventions. It may make more sense to avoid a very bold upholstery fabric color for a smaller room, especially if your furniture piece is also large. Upholstery fabric has so many choices, colors, textures. Wool is obtained from sheep fleece and the term "virgin wool" denotes new, not recycled wool. Acrylic resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. Vinyl (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is a manufactured thermoplastic fiber. Vinyl is noted for its strength and ability to resist weathering. A piece of furniture covered in chenille upholstery fabric will still look new in 10 years, depending on how well you take care of it. Olefin is a good choice for furniture that will receive heavy wear; however, it lacks the pliability and movement that natural fibers offer. Leather furniture can be rather expensive, although the same look can be achieved with the use of fake leather uphostery fabric. Acetate is not a good choice for furniture that will get tough everyday use. There are many different choices for upholstery fabric. Boucle can be identified by its curled or looped surface, this material is heavier than many other upholstery fabrics. Determine where your upholstered pieces will be used in the home before buying your upholstery fabric. Cotton is the most used fabric in the world. It can breathe. Upholstery fabrics can be used for arts and crafts. Upholstery fabrics are usually a little heavier and more durable than multi-purpose or drapery-weight fabrics. Some fabrics appear casual, while others might look more formal. Consider the syle of the piece when choosing. Also consider the style of your interior decor. As spring and summer bloom, linen and cotton in bright, happy tones suit the mood. Acrylic is a synthetic fiber and was developed as imitation wool. While Chenille upholstery fabric is extremely cozy, it's also excellent at hiding dirt. Chenille is a yarn with a fuzzy pile protruding from all sides. Tapestry is a heavy, flat-woven fabric features elaborate designs appropriate for various uses throughout the home. Cotton is a fabric or yarn made from cotton fibers that have been obtained from the seed pod of the cotton plant. It is soft, breathable, and the most widely used natural fiber. What type of upholstery fabric should you choose? Damask is a sophisticated, floral-patterned fabric, damask has reversed colors on opposing sides. Trevira is a manufactured fiber belonging to the polyester group of fibers. Trevira fabrics are durable, lightfast, and drape well. A special type of Trevira, Trevira CS, is inherently and permanently flame retardant. The nap (or hand) of chenille lasts forever. Chenille uphostery fabric is a soft tufted cord of silk, cotton, or worsted used in embroidery or for fringing. Toile is a cotton or linen fabric with a printed design depicting figures or landscapes in a single color. For the ultimate in spill and stain resistance, however, synthetic fibers such as vinyl are used extensively for uphostery fabric. Upholstery fabrics are sometimes light enough for window treatments and slipcovers. Wool is a natural fiber obtained from the fleece of sheep, lamb, Angora goat, or Cashmere goat. Specialty wool fibers are obtained from the camel, alpaca, llama, or vicuna. Wools are characterized by their fine, soft, wavy appearance. Polyurethane is a manmade organic polymer with high elongation and strength. Polyurethane is often used in elastic and plastic or vinyl like textiles. If you’re considering purchasing designer upholstery fabric for your furniture, do some research and consider the following to make sure you decide on the right upholstery fabric. The natural fabrics are cotton, linen and silk. Surface treatments and blending with other fibers often atone for these weaknesses. Woven fabric patterns hold up longer than printed ones. This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling. It is less resistant to soil, wrinkling, and fire.