You're aware if they're selling fabric, that their labor price will go up if you do COM. Part of the reason it's pricey is they're doing the work for you so you won't be "overwhelmed". They also take complete responsibility if something doesn't work right because of the fabric choice.

FYI. If you have children or pets or expect to use this sofa a lot I would consider one or a combination of the “Crypton” fabrics. These fabrics are especially constructed to repel stains,dirt, etc. and are easy to clean up and wear like iron. There is a huge variety of choices—tweeds, linens, even prints—and the pricing starts around $15 per yard. I first heard about it on Laurel Bern’s decorating blog—the Westchester County interior designer—and she raves about it. (You can google her name and her blog will turn up). I found my Crypton “daria stone” fabric on the “Sailrite“ fabric website for $18/yard. They are also available at JoAnn’s fabric and Calico Corners (at higher price points for the same fabric). You can send away to Sailrite for small samples. You can also find nice Crypton fabrics on ebay at very good prices. BTW, the other hard wearing fabric maker that is often overlooked is Sunbrella. They are coming out with some wonderful indoor/outdoor everyday fabrics (at good price points on Ebay). I was surprised at how comfortable and “natural” Crypton seemed. Looking at it it would be hard to tell it was not some real linen weave. I reupholstered our old sofa with it for the basement. Then we liked it so much we used other colorways on upstairs furniture. Crypton is a fabric innovation that somehow is impregnated into the strands to produce really durable fabrics. You can find it marketed under the Crypton name, but it is also available through the top end designer fabric makers like Schumacher and Clarence House (Of course at much higher price points). Good luck!

Thanks ladies. I want to re-upholster a chair to match one I have that is upholstered in EA Ruba Onyx. I had purchased through Ethan Allen, then they advised me there was an error and they no longer had the fabric I needed. They were as helpful as they could be, but gone is gone:). So, I thought I'd try to find it elsewhere. I don't think EA manufactures their own fabrics so I have also reached out to someone who looks for discontinued product. Thank you again for responding:) Karen

Barb, I think you are being given the wrong information. Being an interior designer for over four decades (Yikes!) in NY, the term used in upholstery is off roll or railroad. Off roll indicates the way all fabric is weaved from selvage to selvage and is upholstered top to bottom so the nap urns down. Railroad is not a type of fabric, the term is used when (you are correct) you don't want seams on the back or front face and the fabric is turned left to right. I would be curious as to what fabric people are saying as to no warranty on the fabric. The only concern I would have is if a fabric has a high pile, like a velvet or mohair. But a flat performance fabric won't have any problems with wear and the warranty is for spills and stains. Did you actually read the warranty everyone is talking about? In all my years of design, there was only one issue with railroading a fabric and that was because of a print match. Pick a performance fabric and make sure your upholsterer runs it the same way on all parts and cushions and you will be fine with no problems whatsoever, for many many years. Your dilemma is news to me.