I admit to being a bit of a pattern-phobe. We've talked about this before and I know a lot of DA'ers are the same. My way of adding pattern I can enjoy is throw pillows. I usually make them myself and I've used everything from napkins from Crate & Barrel and vintage drapes as my fabric source.
I'm just finishing up sewing a batch of pillows and a reupholstery job on a hassock that complement my new digs here in Santa Fe. I wanted to pass on a new resource I've found. I hope P&A will let this slide as not advertising but the passing on of a resource for others.
I got a total of about 10 yards of upholstery fabric 2 that are Maharam and one that was Kravat. I paid a very good price per yard, amazing when I consider that one of the Maharam fabrics is 100% wool. The place offers only offcuts, remnants and discontinued textiles. Ther aren't a lot of choices in large yard lots, but if you want to redo a side chair or make pillows and such the selection is excellent!
nice, but...
A bunch of those fabrics are available regularly on Ebay for less, like under $10/yard last time I checked. It does take more time to look for them, though. I got Maharam Pebble Wool on Ebay for less but it doesn't come up very often.
I've posted this before, but it's always worth restating---if you're anywhere near Lancaster or LeMoyne in PA, check out the PA Fabric Outlet. They have lots of Knoll fabrics and some Maharam, Sina Pearson, Designtex, Unika Vaev, and others. Last time I was there, many were under $10/yd and very few were over $20/yd. They also have bins of 1-2 yd remnants for 99 cents a yard! I've gotten lots of Knoll fabrics for pillows and chair cushions there. They have a website and they do some mail order but it's very limited. You really have to go in person.
http://www.pafabric.com/
What about this place??
I've gotten that type of thing from them before
http://www.homespunfabrics.com/
Thanks, Olive--
but I'm looking for something beefier-- solid wool (or a blend) with a well-defined weave. I've always referred to the thing I'm looking for as "homespun"--but maybe I'm using the wrong terminology.
The below Ebay auction is close-- maybe I'll buy some.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150255451297&ssPageNa...
william
There's some Maharam Pebble wool on ebay now---4 yards for $172 plus shipping. It's in two or three pieces so you'd have to make sure you can get what you need out of that, but if it's for two cushions you should be able to do it. (The sides can be pieced, especially with this stuff because the texture hides seams well). Link below.
I have two chairs done in this fabric. Very touchable stuff, and it wears well and looks great.
Another online source is Miles at http://www.winterbeachmodern.com . I bought a bunch of fabrics from him when he sold on Ebay. He's a nice guy who puts customer service first.
Olive, I know what you mean about Ebay, but a lot of small businesses sell there too, so you're supporting them one way or the other. It does take more time to find what you want on Ebay, though. I'm currently looking (again!) for at least 14 yards of the perfect fabric for a sofa, but I am not in a rush.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maharam-Pebble-Wool-Multi-Slate-modern-4y_W0QQitemZ1...
oops, cross posted
william, I've gotten a lot of fabric from that particular seller on Ebay over the years. I would suggest getting a swatch first. I know she used to do that and maybe she still does. She will sometimes mistake synthetics for wool if there's no paperwork with the fabric, so it pays to take the time to get a swatch. I got one bolt of synthetic stuff but was able to return it.
I think she might also send swatches of stuff that isn't listed if you tell her the kind of thing you're looking for. I'm pretty sure she's the one who did that for me once or twice, but it may have been because I had already bought a bunch of stuff.
"Homespun" sounds about right for what you describe. Hopsak or hopsack works, too. Knoll makes a nice one that is all wool and comes in a ton of colors (link below). It's not even all that expensive though maybe that's the wholesale price, I dunno.
There's a jumbo scale hopsack type (for lack of a better term) made by one of the big companies but I can't for the life of me remember the name. It's woven of bulky un-plied wool yarns and is very soft and texturey. Really, really nice stuff. I've gotten 99 cent remnants of it at the PA Fabric Outlet. It's been in production since the 50s, I think. Comes in some bright, clear colors and probably neutrals, too. Very Danish. I'll probably think of the name after I post this.
http://www.knoll.com/products/textileproduct.jsp?prod_id=1206&flag=cat&c...
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