Fabric by the Yard

Fabric by the yard opens the door to custom upholstery, drapery, and decorative projects — the ability to recover a chair, make custom curtains, or upholster a headboard in a fabric that is exactly right rather than approximately right. At Lulu and Georgia, the fabric by the yard collection brings together upholstery-weight and drapery-weight fabrics in linen, velvet, performance, and decorative weaves — each available in full-yard increments and selected for the visual and tactile quality that justifies the work of a custom project.

What fabric by the yard does Lulu and Georgia carry?

The collection includes linen and linen-blend fabrics in solid and textured weaves, velvet upholstery fabric in jewel tones and neutrals, performance and stain-resistant fabrics suitable for upholstery, drapery-weight fabrics in sheer and semi-opaque constructions, and decorative fabrics in printed and embroidered designs. Most fabrics are 54-60 inches wide; yardage requirements for common projects are noted on each product page.

How much fabric do I need for a custom upholstery project?

A standard armchair requires approximately 6-8 yards of upholstery fabric; a loveseat 10-14 yards; a three-seat sofa 14-18 yards. Patterned fabric requires additional yardage for pattern matching — add 1-2 yards for fabrics with a repeat under 12 inches; add 3-4 yards for large repeats over 12 inches. For drapery, a standard pair of 84-inch panels for a 48-inch window requires approximately 8-10 yards of 54-inch-wide fabric. When in doubt, order 10-15% extra — fabric dye lots can vary between orders.

Can I use drapery fabric for upholstery?

Not all drapery fabrics are suitable for upholstery — drapery fabric is typically lighter weight and not engineered for the abrasion of seating. For upholstery use, look for fabrics with a rub count (Wyzenbeek or Martindale) of at least 15,000 double rubs for light use and 30,000 for heavy use furniture. Upholstery-weight fabrics noted as such in the collection are appropriate for furniture applications; drapery-weight fabrics are best reserved for window treatments and decorative pillow applications.

Also explore: Curtains, Throw Pillows, Bedding, Rugs, Decorative Objects.