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Reupholstering sofa, questions about fabric

16 years ago

Hi all!

I'm reupholstering my sofa and think I'll go with a solid this time. The pics below are the fabric I'm considering. It's 73 percent rayon/27 percent polyester.

I can only describe it as soft, kind of like a corduroy, but with a grid pattern instead of stripes.

Do you think this will wear well? We use the sofa all the time. Do you think rayon & poly are a good combination? I'm thinking the use of the sofa may make areas go bald.

Thanks for any help.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (8)

annie1971
16 years ago
Why would use of the sofa make an area go bald? Polyester and Rayon vary all over the place. If it's a well-made fabric, regardless of the poly-rayon combination, I don't see why it shouldn't wear well.
We are VERY HEAVY sofa users (well, we use the sofa and our Labrador Retriever uses the sofa)! My sofa's have become stained, but never have they worn away because of use.
One thing that does cause a problem with upholstery fabric is denim. It will stain and abrade the fabric, any fabric (except possibly leather or vinyl). Some manufacturers will not guarantee their fabric or fabric protection treatment against denim damage.
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socks
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I was thinking that because it has a bit of a nap, areas where we sit a lot, getting up and down frequently, might show wear compared to the rest of the sofa.
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I usually just lurk here but I'm attaching a link to an upholstery class in Chicago. I don't know of it's close to you but they might be able to steer you to someone closer to you if they don't work out. I have never upholstered myself but I think it would be in your best interest to practice on a piece first, especially if you are going to be doing antique furniture. It can be easy to split the wood if you don't know what you are doing. As for your tools, does it take staples? When ever I buy staples there are always those marked for upholstery so I assume they get used. Is your fabric specifically for upholstery? If so, then all cotton is great as long as it's rated for high usage (a lot of rubs). You might want to rethink using regular fabric. It won't wear well and won't look as nice on the furniture. I think a hands on class will help to answer a lot of your questions. Here is a link that might be useful: upholstery class in chicago
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annie1971
16 years ago
No, I don't think you should need to worry about that. I think if there is a bit of a nap, you will have marks where people have sat; hand prints, brush prints, etc. It should not wear unevenly however, in my opinion. You should be fine.
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oceanna
16 years ago
My sofa fabric has nap (as did my last one) and doesn't show where people sat. It all depends on the fabric.
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socks
Original Author
16 years ago
I took the samples back to the store today, and they told me the fabric is a "chenille." I haven't bought it yet. DH wants to go to the store with me to look at what else they have.
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daisyadair
16 years ago
That is the exact fabric we have on a set of living room furniture. Only mine is cobalt blue. The furniture - sofa, love seat, two chairs and an ottoman - has held up remarkably well. It still looks new. The fabric cleans up with just a damp towel. We've had it for around ten years, most of that with little kids eating and spilling on it, without a problem.
I have put all of that furniture in my kids video game room. When we bought a sectional to have in the downstairs living room, I went with Chenille again. About the only thing that cleans up easier is leather.
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sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
We have a mossy green chenille and when we first got it, it was very obvious where people were sitting. Also showed water marks terribly. House "arrest" caused by a problem pregnancy really broke that puppy in! LOL. Now it all kind of blends together.
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mildredpots
16 years ago
Chenile is a fairly common upholstery fabric, and generally holds up well. I have heard some pet owners complain about pet hair with it, but can't speak from personal experience.
Years ago I reupholstered a couch with upholstery fabric that was washable. I washed and dried it before doing the reupholstery, and then was able to pull off the seat cushions and launder as needed over the years (white couch...enough said). If the fabric you end up choosing is washable, you may want to consider this.
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