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Cotton is best ironed when the fabric is damp. The nap (or hand) of chenille lasts forever. Dry Cleanable is a fabric that is dry cleanable, can be cleaned with chemical solvents instead of water. Nylon doesn’t readily soil or wrinkle, but it does tend to fade and pill. 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. Leather is a very popular choice as an upholstery fabric, as it is delightfully soft yet resistant to spills and stains. Railroaded is a fabric that is railroaded is applied to furniture at a 90 degree angle from the way it appears on the roll. Acetate offers only fair resistance to soil and tends to wear, wrinkle, and fade in the sun. Developed as imitation silk, acetate can withstand mildew, pilling, and shrinking. Microfiber upholstery fabric, which has increased in popularity over the years, is a blend of polyester and polyamide. Chenille is also used for bedspreads and garments. Boucle can be identified by its curled or looped surface, this material is heavier than many other upholstery fabrics. Linen is a very strong and sturdy fabric, even more so than cotton. A large bold upholstery fabric pattern might work better in a larger room, while a smaller pattern might be a happier choice for a smaller space. 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. Consider higher thread counts when purchasing a designer upholstery fabric. Rarely used alone in upholstery, polyester is blended with other fibers to add wrinkle resistance, eliminate crushing of napped fabrics, and reduce fading. Silk is derived from silk worms and has been a symbol of luxury since forever. Vinyl (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is a manufactured thermoplastic fiber. Vinyl is noted for its strength and ability to resist weathering. Leather furniture can be rather expensive, although the same look can be achieved with the use of fake leather uphostery fabric. Damask is a sophisticated, floral-patterned fabric, damask has reversed colors on opposing sides. Rarely used alone, nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. Viscose is a manufactured fiber belonging to the rayon family, composed of regenerated cellulose. Viscose is characterized by its soft hand and drapability. 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. To set the mood, take the color temperature into consideration. Since warm and cool colors affect the mood of the room, try choosing the right upholstery fabric for the right mood. 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. Upholstery fabrics can be used for arts and crafts. Spandex is a manufactured fiber known for its high elasticity. Linen is a natural fiber obtained from the flax plant. Linen is durable and has a natural luster. Cotton can also be washed. Chenille is soft to the touch and very popular as an upholstery fabric for sofas and chairs. Chenille tends to be a family favorite upholstery fabric. Polyester is a manufactured fiber that is resistant to stretching and shrinking. It is also quick drying, wrinkle resistant, and strong. Silks are manufactured by worms. Some aspects of choosing upholstery fabric might seem pretty obvious like selecting a color. Velvet was originally made from silk for royalty. Marine furniture requires a significant amount of heat and water resistance, resulting in heavy uses of vinyl and polyester. There are natural fabrics such as mohair, wools and cashmeres, which are made from sheered and woven animal fur. When purchasing an upholstered piece or upholstery fabric, be aware that the higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the fabric is, and the better it will wear. Muslin is a plain woven fabric that comes in various weights. Upholstery fabrics are sometimes light enough for window treatments and slipcovers. 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. Surface treatments and blending with other fibers often atone for these weaknesses. The practice of upholstery originated in Europe, particularly London, in the 18th century. Before that, many chairs featuwred either bare seats or fabric coverings without padding or springs inside for cushioning. Boucle is a fabric or yarn with a looped surface. Upholstering for specific uses, such as in automobiles and boats, generally has a narrower set of upholstery fabric options. Wool blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary. Depending on the weave, cotton blends can be sturdy, family-friendly fabrics. A stain-resistant finish should be applied for everyday use. Damask is characterized by elaborate floral motifs that are usually monochromatic or a maximum of two colors in matte and polished weave combinations. Washable is a fabric that is washable resists fading and shrinking during the laundering process, using cold water or dry cleaning method. Up the Bolt is a fabric that is up the bolt is applied to furniture exactly the way it is made on the roll. This is often necessary to keep designs in the proper direction. Up the bolt fabrics may result in seams on some styles. The right upholstery can completely transform the look and feel of your furniture. Consider the size of the pattern on the piece of upholstery fabric. Consider whether it is appropriate for the size of the furniture it is covering, as well as the room size. Upholstery fabrics are designed to take more wear. Upholstery is the art of providing furniture with padding and covering generally in the form of upholstery fabric. All leathers display a variety of unique natural markings and variations in color. Polyurethane is a manmade organic polymer with high elongation and strength. Polyurethane is often used in elastic and plastic or vinyl like textiles. Acrylic resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. Ideally, upholstery fabric should compliment your room’s decor and the furniture itself while also proving practical for your needs.