Anyone know anything about types of fabrics - we're reupholstering a sofa

[bizzylizzy]

We've decided to have a go at recovering our sofa. It's looking a bit shabby these days. But the quote for getting it recovered was far more than the cost of buying a replacement would you believe. A couple of tutorials online suggest using a fabric with a bit of 'give' to it, so that it can be pulled tightly around curves. 100% Cotton or a similar fabric would obviously form more creases. Can any kind soul with a knowledge of these things give me any information on the type or make up of fabric I should be looking for? eBay is awash with lovely fabrics, but they are mostly lightweight cottons.

We don't want loose covers by the way. The style of the sofa is very 1950s retro and it would be a shame to spoil the shape with loose covers.

Thank you so much answerbankers.

[e.crespo]

It's years since I attempted recovering the cushions on a sofa bed, so I have no current experience, but this place http://www.tetfordfabrics.co.uk/ has a huge range of fabrics and offers advice and samples. Good luck, reupholstery can be a challenge. jj

[tamborine]

velvet or draylon that is wipe clean. Shabby chic in velvet & nylon

http://img339.imageshack.us/f/chaises.jpg/

http://img859.imageshack.us/f/ujchair.jpg/

[maclarencat]

Something with poyester in it would give a bit of give. If you havn't upholstered before dont buy anything with a pattern especially stripes as it is quite difficult to pull into the shape of your suite without distortion on the pattern. Good luck. By the way upholstery fabric is usually backcoated which makes it thicker and better wearing.

[Mosaic]

Something like a denim with lycra in it might be a decent fabric for your first attempt - a funky finish but not as expensive as a 'proper' upholstery fabric. Abakhan do denim http://www.abakhan.co.uk/ as well as other fabrics. This would have the give you need, without having too much stretch, which will quickly go saggy, or being to thin, which will wear out in no time at all.
The thing is you get what you pay for with fabric - so upholstery fabrics that can take a bit of heavy wear are quite dear.