Home Decor Sewing & Design Guides

If you're looking for that finishing touch for your pillow or upholstery project, piping is the way to go. Whether you're looking to make your own piping or buy it pre-made, you may have come across the terms "piping", "lip cord" and "cording". Essentially, cording is wrapped in fabric and becomes piping. Lip cord is a similar pre-made finish that isn't wrapped. There are a few kinds piping and cording you may come across.

There are so many drapery lining fabric choices, picking one can feel daunting. I'll break down the different options and features so you can pick the one that will work best for your window treatments.

Muslin is a lightweight cotton fabric with a lot of versatility. It's also old. Like, 13th century old. Yeah. It's uses range from apparel and theater projects to practical bandages and culinary purposes.

When it comes to making curtains, (or buying I suppose, but where's the fun in that? ), accurate measurements are paramount. But even if for some reason you know the measurements of your windows by heart, there are more factors to take into account when figuring out the size of your curtains. Let's go over some of the basics. Once you have your measurements, use our drapery yardage calculator to find out how much fabric to get.

If you've ever gone shopping for bed sheets or apparel, you've probably come across the term "thread count". So… what exactly does it mean? Some bed sheet and clothing manufacturers boast products with thread counts of up to 1000. This must mean that these are the softest, most luxurious and breathable products on the market, right? Not necessarily, there are other factors to take into consideration.

Dining room chairs are one of the most common pieces of furniture to reupholster. Many of us own that one chair, sofa, or bench seat that has been through it all, and needs a makeover. The first step is choosing an upholstery fabric and figuring out how much you need. The first time I reupholstered anything was a set of dining room chairs from the early 1900's. Talk about old, but honestly, it was easier than I thought and they came out great considering it was my first time.

As with all businesses and industries, there are many terms used in interior decorating that you may be unfamiliar with. One very common term you will see is "railroading". But what, exactly, does it mean?

All-purpose thread is fine for many upholstery projects, but when you want extra strength, we suggest bonded nylon thread. Coats & Clark Extra Strong Upholstery Thread is thicker and much more durable than the All-Purpose Polyester Thread. The 3-ply 100% nylon thread is weather, UV, abrasion, and mildew resistant, making it perfect for outdoor projects. A size 18 needle is recommended, although you could also use size 16 in a pinch. For best results, increase the stitch length.

Marine Vinyl and standard vinyl are really the same thing, except marine-grade vinyl has two extra features. It has additional UV protection to prevent the color from fading in sunlight. And it also has antibacterial and antifungal additives to make it mildew resistant. Marine vinyl is great for any outdoor application or anywhere else it would be exposed to direct sunlight or moisture. Uses include outdoor seating, awnings, and boat cushions, but you can also use it indoors.

We divide décor fabric into two main categories: drapery fabric and upholstery fabric. But that doesn't mean drapery fabric can't be used for upholstery and vice versa. And of course there are a whole lot of other uses for these fabrics, even beyond décor. In this article, we'll explain the differences between drapery and upholstery fabric, what you can use them for, and what double rubs means.

You may have wondered why 100% cotton décor fabric often says dry clean only or dry cleaning recommended. And if you do wash it…? We'll explain what may happen if you decide to machine wash your fabric. As long as you know the possible consequences, you can make your own decision. This article is specifically about 100% cotton home décor weight fabrics, but the same is often true for other natural fibers, like linen, or blends.

Are you overwhelmed with the seemingly endless array of upholstery fabric choices available for your furniture? Fear not, we're here to help you navigate the selection process with ease and confidence! Shop upholstery fabric See more articles

Understanding wallpaper pattern matches is an important step to take before even purchasing your wall covering. In some instances, it may affect the amount of paper you need to buy, so taking a minute to learn about what certain terms mean can save you time and money. In this article, we will cover all the different types of pattern matches we stock at OFS, so you can focus on picking out the right wallpaper for your home and not worry about figuring out cryptic industry terms and symbols. For additional information about wallpaper, take a look at our Wallpaper Guide. We also have a post about fabric repeat and scale but the same applies to wallpaper.

Purchasing wallpaper for the first time can be a little confusing. With so many industry terms being tossed around, how does the average person know what to purchase and what to expect when their package arrives? At OnlineFabricStore, we want you to be able to make the most informed decision possible. So, what does the term "double roll" actually mean? Wallpaper is typically packaged by the manufacturer in either single rolls or double rolls.

Weighted drapery tape is used in the hem of curtains to help them hang straight and not flair out at the bottom. This tape comes in different widths and has weights stitched into the fabric covering at regular increments. Wider tapes are primarily used for heavy curtains and stage curtains. Smaller tapes can be used for medium to heavy draperies. Weighted tape is easy to sew into the hem because it just needs to be secured at the ends instead of sewing in individual weights.