When you sit on a sofa, you’re sitting on top of stuffing, webbing and springs. But that’s not actually what you’re sitting on, is it?
Without upholstery fabric, sitting on a sofa wouldn’t be a very pleasant experience. You’d be nestled in between springs and buttons. And even on a couch with no springs, you’d find yourself sinking into some very bland and rough stuffing.
But what is upholstery fabric, and where does it come from? Let us tell you…
Upholstery Fabric – What Is It?
When we talk about upholstery, we talk about the stuffing, webbing and springs used to make chairs, sofas and ottomans. Mattresses, too!
When we talk about upholstery fabric, that’s slightly different. Upholstery fabric is the (often padded) material that covers the aforementioned furniture. As well as holding all the stuffing in, the fabric adds to the comfort of the furniture and plays a huge role in the style and overall appearance of the piece.
That’s what upholstery fabric is, but what is it not? It’s really important to note that blankets, throws and cushion covers are NOT upholstery fabric.
Upholstery fabric is a vital part of a furniture piece and is not something that can be ‘thrown’ on later or easily removed. Upholstering and re-upholstering a chair or sofa takes great care and can generally only be done by a master craftsman.
Different Types of Upholstery Fabric
Thankfully, times have moved on since straw and animal hair was being used to upholster furniture. Today, customers have a huge amount of choice as to how their furniture feels and looks.
Upholstery fabric in modern times is made up of fibres that are woven or knitted into a textile, which is then backed with some kind of latex or glue. This adds strength and durability to the fabric. The different types of fibre in use today are:
- Wool – A classic, natural fibre with an iconic texture, but little stain resistance
- Cotton – Another natural fibre that is cheap and breathable, but also liable to staining
- Linen – Also natural but a little classier, ideal for printed patterns
- Silk – Natural and very classy, very soft but also hugely expensive
- Nylon – Increasingly popular, synthetic, very durable
- Polyester – Another synthetic fibre known for being easy to clean
Get In Touch
Looking for a new piece of upholstered furniture? Or perhaps you’ve got a piece that you want to re-upholster. Either way, we can help! Give us a call on 01892 725305, drop us an email at jerome@jeromeshorter.co.uk or just fill out the contact form on our website, and let our experienced staff make your décor dreams come true.
Posted by