Those gorgeous fabrics you see in decorating magazines or design showrooms can cost hundreds of dollars per yard. But, with some hunting and creativity, you can use the same fabrics in your own home for little or no cost. Here’s how to find fabric bargains:
Fabric Samples
Custom upholstery makers discontinue fabrics several times per year. Their samples range from just big enough for a pillow to more than enough to reupholster a dining chair seat or small armchair. Furniture stores have to pull those samples from their displays, and they usually end up in the dumpster. Stop by a local store and ask if you can look through the discards.
Remnants
A remnant is the fabric remaining on a nearly empty bolt. Nearly empty might mean one yard, or 20. Dye lots are hard to match, so most shops won’t take the chance of using the end of one bolt with yardage from a new one. Pricing is often just pennies on the dollar. Check with:
- Reupholstery shops
- Retail fabric stores specializing upholstery and drapery fabrics
- Upholstery manufacturers in your area
- Craigslist and eBay
Used Clothing
Even if you don’t want to wear them, scan the clothing at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores. You won’t be able to reupholster the sofa, but you might cover all the dining chair seats with that funky, vintage caftan.
Repurposed Home Furnishings
While you’re bargain hunting, remember that you don’t have to use anything for its original purpose. Sometimes it’s far more interesting when you don’t. Here are a few ideas:
- Use a bedspread or quilt as a tablecloth
- Use a tablecloth as a bedspread or shower curtain
- Cover chair seats with the good sections of damaged rugs
- Make café curtains out of old, embroidered pillow cases
- Make pillows out of nearly anything
