Soft Furnishings
Suede Effect Fabrics
There's nothing like the strokable sensation of suede, but it's not the most forgiving of fabrics, particularly on upholstery and other areas prone to wear. Suede effect fabric on the other hand has all the qualities of suede but is much more practical and cheaper too!
Hi Debbie,
Do you know where I can buy aubergine suede fabric to cover my headboard?
Regards,
Susanna Hall
Our Shopping Expert replies:
Dear Susanna,
Suede and suede effect fabric have been in and out of fashion for years. They're definitely back in again and look particularly good on simple contemporary furnishings like headboards. Unless you're mad about the real thing, suede effect fabric is the best option for anything that's going to get a certain amount of wear. It's more practical, comes with a fire retardant finish (which is vital for soft furnishings like headboards), and is much cheaper.
You can buy suede effect fabric at many good fabric shops like John Lewis. They sell two styles: buckskin, which is suitable for upholstery, costs £16.50 per metre and comes in the following colours: oatmeal, fawn, ebony, plain, pewter and tar. They also sell a fabric called rawhide, which is not really suitable for upholstery, but would be fine for bedcovers and cushions. This costs £14.50 per metre and comes in a wider range of colours: oatmeal, champagne, sand, sienna, burgundy, grape, night, earth and chestnut. Call (08456) 049049 for details of stockists.
It is also possible to buy suede effect fabric direct from the only UK manufacturer Govanlight. This company sell three different qualities of suede effect fabric: fire-retardant (for upholstery), non fire-retardant and chamois. All the products are cotton backed and are 140cms wide. The fire-retardant range comes in 25 different colours (including a colour called prune, which is very like aubergine) and costs £5.20 per metre. The non fire retardant range comes in 30 colours, costs £4.80 per metre and works very well as a wall covering: basically you just hang it like wallpaper. Finally, the chamois range which comes in 26 colours has the feel of soft chamois leather. This is ideal for covering small items like boxes, but can be used on walls as well. You can see some of their products online at Govanlight, or telephone (01924) 405555 for samples and colour charts.
Best wishes,
Debbie
Do you know where I can buy aubergine suede fabric to cover my headboard?
Regards,
Susanna Hall
Our Shopping Expert replies:
Dear Susanna,
Suede and suede effect fabric have been in and out of fashion for years. They're definitely back in again and look particularly good on simple contemporary furnishings like headboards. Unless you're mad about the real thing, suede effect fabric is the best option for anything that's going to get a certain amount of wear. It's more practical, comes with a fire retardant finish (which is vital for soft furnishings like headboards), and is much cheaper.
You can buy suede effect fabric at many good fabric shops like John Lewis. They sell two styles: buckskin, which is suitable for upholstery, costs £16.50 per metre and comes in the following colours: oatmeal, fawn, ebony, plain, pewter and tar. They also sell a fabric called rawhide, which is not really suitable for upholstery, but would be fine for bedcovers and cushions. This costs £14.50 per metre and comes in a wider range of colours: oatmeal, champagne, sand, sienna, burgundy, grape, night, earth and chestnut. Call (08456) 049049 for details of stockists.
It is also possible to buy suede effect fabric direct from the only UK manufacturer Govanlight. This company sell three different qualities of suede effect fabric: fire-retardant (for upholstery), non fire-retardant and chamois. All the products are cotton backed and are 140cms wide. The fire-retardant range comes in 25 different colours (including a colour called prune, which is very like aubergine) and costs £5.20 per metre. The non fire retardant range comes in 30 colours, costs £4.80 per metre and works very well as a wall covering: basically you just hang it like wallpaper. Finally, the chamois range which comes in 26 colours has the feel of soft chamois leather. This is ideal for covering small items like boxes, but can be used on walls as well. You can see some of their products online at Govanlight, or telephone (01924) 405555 for samples and colour charts.
Best wishes,
Debbie
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