How to Find Designer Fabrics
Candace Olson fabrics for Kravet
Are you frustrated because you see beautiful ads in magazines for designer fabrics from Kravet and DuraLee that say “Available exclusively through architects and interior designers?” Well, you should be! As a designer, I have access to all these companies but what are YOU supposed to do? Here’s the answer…
I started My Design Secrets to help people who are decorating their own homes and want to do it well! My Secret Database helps you shop and My Articles help you execute. I add new vendors to the Database when I find a company that will be super useful for you. If you are looking for fabric there are a number of companies that are now offering designer fabrics to the public and they break down into three categories:
1. Discontinued Fabrics- These companies are purchasing discontinued fabrics from high-end fabric houses and you may get a great deal. There is nothing wrong with discontinued fabric; the company may just be introducing some new patterns or their relationship with that mill may have changed. The fabric is usually in stock and ready to ship. This is your chance to get fabrics like Brunschwig and Fils, Thibaut and Kravet at a deep discount, sometimes even below wholesale.
2. Special Order- This is a little controversial among designers but this is where a company will order a fabric for you using their trade account. Some feel that designers should not sell these exclusive fabrics to the public if they are not officially a “client.” I think it’s fine because the lines have blurred with the advent of the Internet. After all, the fabric companies are giving everyone access to their website! These fabrics may or may not be in stock. If they are not, you will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit to order. You can expect to pay a markup from about 25% above wholesale all the way up to retail.
Discount Designer Fabrics Online Etc.
You need to know the item name/number of the fabric you want. Here are some manufacturers’ websites that allow you to browse without pricing.
Thibaut Fabric
3. Smaller, Independent Companies – This is where you are going to see a lot of imagination and sometimes get an excellent deal. Independent textile designers are getting out there and starting their own lines that they sell themselves or through a retailer. The Internet has opened the playing field because in the old days a fabric line did not have prayer if it was not represented in a designer showroom. I love what these companies have to offer and some even have wonderful custom options.
And here’s a cool website where you can design your own fabric using Photoshop!
Custom fabrics from Spoonflower
Before ordering your fabric, a few words to the wise:
- Do not order anything without asking for a sample of the fabric. It is the only way to get a true feel for color and texture. Also, ask if the cutting (small piece of fabric) is from the same dye lot from which you will be purchasing.
- Make sure you are clear on the shipping costs, return policy and lead time.
- Do not order fabric until you have decided on all the fabrics for the room. You don’t want to be stuck with 40 yards of sofa fabric when you find out you cannot get the pillow fabric that coordinated perfectly.
- When you receive the fabric, immediately inspect it yourself or have your upholsterer do it (they have a machine to roll it out). Report any problems to the vendor immediately.
So whether you are making some pillows yourself, or sending fabric to the upholsterer, give some of these companies a try. With a little research you will achieve a customized look that’s all your own!
~Lorrie
Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!
Need to get organized? Win a Design Assistant!
Tags: decorating tips, fabric
December 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Lorrie – This was a FANTASTIC article — really great info.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Hi Lorrie,
You have a really neat site and it should be a great help to your clients. Thanks for mentioning Decorative Fabrics Direct which is part of our organization. It so happens that very few of our fabrics are close-out fabrics. We produce many of these fabrics ourselves (bring into our Atlanta warehouse by container) and in fact sell to many of the top design houses you mentioned. On other name brand fabrics we use our size and distribution to purchase large quantities and thus offer great values. You are correct that advertising in the large trade journals is expensive and those prices are certainly passed on. However, our business is based on everyday volume so we stay under the radar. Thank you and good luck,
Steve Turner
President
Peachtree Fabrics
Atlanta, GA
January 13th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Wow, Steve. Thanks for letting everyone know how you guys are able to offer such great prices. My Design Secrets readers will be very excited to know they are getting new patterns for such great prices! Best of luck to you too!
December 27th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Lorrie,
I want to send you a compliment on your article above. I was very impressed with how you oranganized all the information and really found it to be quite interesting. I am the owner of Source 4 Interiors and I am impressed as I learned somethings from your article. I signed up for your feed and looking forward to stopping by again. I really appreciate you including me in your article. If you ever need anything please don’t hestitate to contact me. Thanks again and have a great evening!
Joni Fine
Source 4 Interiors