sharoncsheperd's blog: "The Peterson Group"

The Peterson Group, specializing in distinctive home furnishings in New York, has a lot of fabrics to offer. It may seem a haven for pattern lovers but once you got to dig into the wide variety of fabric, it can get overwhelming. There are novel and jo anne fabrics which are both used in modern furniture. Do-it-yourself (DIY) fabrics are also popular among creative and stay-at-home moms. Batik fabrics from Jakarta, Indonesia are also entering today’s market as well as outdoor fabrics for Zen inspired interiors. 

There are just a lot of upholstery fabrics and as it is vital to know which one to match the theme you are approaching, it is also best to be educated of the basics. Let us review some of the most standout characteristics: 

1. Style

Fabric style should first match the feel of your space. If you are going for a traditional look, you must choose a fabric of the same feel. If you are confident that you can integrate modern and traditional look into one, go for it as well. 

Style also encompasses the aura that you want to convey. If you are vying for a professional and stricter look, you should fabrics such as leather to incorporate with your furnishings. 

2. Types

There are different types of fabrics: 

a. Woven – most fabrics are woven. These fabrics are combined together in a loom. Some looms can create very intricate designs using multiple colors of yarn, like the Jacquard loom. There are also other looms, like the Dobby, that make simpler designs.

b. Knit – now this kind of fabrics are mostly common since we see our grandmothers knit our own sweaters. Upholstery products can also be knitted and is used for sturdiness.

c. Velvet – velvety products are mostly used for luxury furnishings and are created by weaving two pieces of fabric face-to-face and then cutting them apart.

d. Print – the easiest type of fabric. This type is usually inexpensive and designers have a wide scope of patterns and colors to choose from. However, it is common for less expensive print types to copy an original one, thus the emergence of fraud upholsteries using pint fabrics 

3. Content

a. Natural

•      Cotton – made from cotton plant and resistant to fading and wear

•      Linen – made from slab plants and are mostly used in living areas and adult rooms

•      Wool – authentic wool is made from animal hair and is sturdy 

b. Synthetic

•      Polyester – durable and cleanable as well as wrinkle resistant

•      Nylon - rarely used alone, nylon is often used with other fabrics to make it one of the strongest upholstery.