So you want that upholstered piece of furniture because the pattern looks good and it will look good in your newly decorated room, new home, kid space, etc. But wait! That material won't work. That room will be the hub of activity and the furniture will have kids, neighbors, family, dogs, cats (potentially!) all over it. Maybe that color will not be what you thought since it will show all of the dirt, wear and trappings of an active lifestyle. Well maybe you can cover it with a protective cover until it's "show time" and the covers can reveal the original intent of the furnishing. That's a hassle. Perhaps the ultra-low maintenance covering should be the choice.....or maybe all wood? There are many factors that go into a material selection for our furnishings and many tradeoffs.
Look and Feel
Ultimately we want our home to reflect the attitude we wish to convey to our guests and family members when they walk into ad use the room we have decorated for them. If we wish to have a cheerful tone and decorate with bright colors and use loads of light, we would likely want vibrant colors such as blue, yellow and red with liberal use of light reflecting colors such as light pastels and white. If, on the other hand, we want to convey strength, formality and perhaps even durability, we may select materials and colors that connote that look and feel such as woods, leather and metal. Our color choices may also reflect the tone that is prevalent in our desire for the room such as deep reds, browns and earth tones with antique looks. We may see this and feel the emotional timbre but what happens when we use the furniture as in sitting and using the spaces via means of the room? Do we want the feel of the furniture to invite us or intimidate us?
Materials
Furniture is manufactured with look, feel and use in mind. We may visually have an affinity for a style of furniture but not appreciate its tactile impact. Stone and marble table tops are beautiful but are hard and cold which may not support the feel we want in a living space while wood tops are beautiful and warm but may not be durable for the room in which it services. Likewise, furniture coverings run the spectrum from fabrics to leathers to plastics, all of which have a look and feel that must be factored in to selections for the piece of furniture and the rooms that they occupy and complement. Let's focus on upholstered covering of which can be divided into two categories: natural and man-made.
Natural Fibers
Cotton is one of the oldest fabrics in the world and has been used for clothing and furnishings for centuries. It has successfully been woven into fabrics with customized outcomes by weaving technique and combining with other synthetic and natural fibers such as polyester and wool. Cotton's cool, soft, and comfortable, making it the principal clothing fiber in the world. Its production is a key factors in world prosperity and economic stability. Cotton "breathes" as a woven material and is indispensable in textile manufacture. Since cotton is prove to wrinkling, polyester is added to give it wash and wear properties for a busy lifestyle. In recent times, the consumer determined that polyester, although an easier care material, took away the cool from cotton and also added a "pilling" effect to cotton/polyester blends. Consumers now often request "100% Cotton". Permanent finishes added to the cotton fabric enhanced the wash and wear property of cotton. Various weaving techniques are evident that cotton is a truly versatile material. Dimity, drill, duck, flannel, gauze, gingham, lawn, muslin, organdy, oxford, percale, polished, poplin, sailcloth, sateen, seersucker, swiss, terry and velveteen are many cotton types that are possible with manipulation of the weaving process. The flatter, more tightly woven fabrics such as muslin, oxford, polished and poplin tend to be better choices for upholstered furniture as they can be pulled during the assembly process and possess a durable surface for the finished piece.
The cotton fiber is made of cellulose and is harvested from the cotton plant's seed pod. The fiber is hollow in the center and, under a microscope looks like a twisted ribbon. "Absorbent" cotton will retain 24-27 times its own weight in water and is stronger when wet than dry. This fiber absorbs and releases perspiration quickly, thus allowing the fabric to "breathe". Cotton can stand high temperatures and takes dyes easily. Chlorine bleach can be used to restore white garments to a clear white but this bleach may yellow chemically finished cottons or remove color in dyed cottons. Boiling and sterilizing temperatures can also be used on cotton without disintegration. Cotton can also be ironed at relatively high temperatures and stands up to abrasion very well.
Wool fabric brings to mind coziness and warmth. Some wools feel "scratchy" giving some people the idea that they are "allergic" to wool. Although wool fiber comes from a variety of animal coats, not all wools are "scratchy". Some are extremely soft. The wool fibers, as one can imagine looking at sheep's coats, have crimps or curls which create pockets that give the wool a spongy feel and create insulation for the wearer. The outside surface of the fiber consists of a series of serrated scales which overlap each other much like the scales of a fish. Wool is the only fiber with such serration's which make it possible for the fibers to cling together and produce felt. The serrations in the fiber will also cling together tightly when wool is improperly washed and shrinks! Wool will not only return to its original position after being stretched or creased, it will absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. Its unique properties allow shaping and tailoring, making the wool the most popular fabric for tailoring fine garments. Wool is also dirt resistant, flame resistant, and, in many weaves, resists wear and tearing.
There are two different processes used to produce wool: woolen and worsted. Woolen fabrics have a soft feel and fuzzy surface, very little shine or sheen, will not hold a crease, and are heavier and bulkier than worsteds. Blankets, scarves, coating, and some fabrics are considered woolens. Worsted wool is smoother than woolen, takes shine more easily, does not sag, holds a crease well, is lighter and less bulky, and wears longer than woolen. Worsted wool's require a greater number of processes, during which fibers are aligned parallel to each other. The smoother, harder-surface worsted yarns produce smoother fabrics with minimum fuzziness and nap. Fine worsted wool is even seen in clothing for athletics such as tennis. They are not hotter than polyester but actually cooler, as the weave of the fabric allows wool to absorb perspiration and the fabric "breathes," unlike polyester.
Wool specialty fibers are further classified by the animal the fiber comes from.
Alpaca fleece is very rich and silky with noticeable surface luster. It comes from the Alpaca which has recently been popularized in the US as a production animal.
Mohair is from the angora goat and is durable and strong. Mohair's luster, rather than its softness, determines its value. Mohair is used in home decorating fabrics as well as garment fabrics including tropical worsted wools.
Angora wool is from the angora rabbit and connotes a feeling of luxurious softness and warmth. This soft fiber is used in sweaters, mittens and baby clothes.
Camel hair is from the extremely soft and fine fur from the undercoat of the camel. Camel's hair can be used alone but is most often combined with fine wool for coats, sportswear and sports hosiery. Because of the beauty of the color, fabrics containing camel's hair are usually left in the natural camel color or dyed a darker brown. Light weight and soft, it is said that a 22 oz. camel fabric is as warm as a 32 oz. woolen fabric.
Cashmere is from the Kasmir goat down. Separation of the soft fibers from the long, coarse hair is tedious and difficult, contributing to the expense of the fabric. The soft hair is woven or knitted into fine garments and can also be blended with silk, cotton, or wool.
Linen is an elegant, beautiful, durable, the refined luxury fabric. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. Linen table cloths and napkins have been handed down generation to generation. The linen fiber is strong and smooth which makes the finished fabric lint free. Fine china, silver and candles are enhanced by the luster of linen which only gets softer and finer the more it is laundered.Linen is from flax, a fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. The luster comes from the natural wax content. Creamy white to light tan, this fiber can be easily dyed and the color is stable when washed. Linen does wrinkle easily but also presses easily. Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber.Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, this fabric is cool in garments and upholstered products. However, repeatedly creasing the fabric tends to break the linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during laundering. Linen has poor elasticity and does not spring back readily.
Man Made Fibers and Films
Synthetic fabrics are usually made of filaments extruded as a soft fluid and formed into various fibers having various shapes. Because the fiber starts as a liquid, many of the fibers are colored before they become filament, thus they are difficult to dye after the fiber is woven into a fabric.
Acetate is an older type of plastic and is not strong but can be extruded into fibers of different diameters and woven into fabrics that have the refined look of silk without the same feel. Acetate does not absorb moisture readily but dries fast and resists shrinking. This is a resilient fabric that resists wrinkling in addition to being pliable and soft with a good drape. Triacetate is an improved acetate fabric which doesn't easily melt and is easier care. Acetone in nail polish and nail polish remover will melt acetate as will alcohol so care must be taken with perfumes and nail products.
Acrylic is a soft and luxurious fabric with the volume and feel of wool. Lightweight and springy, this fabric is non-allergenic, dries quickly, draws moisture away from the body and is washable. Acrylic distorts and melts at low amounts of heat. Modified acrylics are used in pile fabrics like fake fur and are more flame resistant.
Lastex is an elastic fiber made from Latex. It is blended with other fibers to create fabrics such as Spandex and foundation garments. Lastex will deteriorate after repeated washing and drying, losing its elasticity. Upholstery using this material are common in the trades and provide highly conformal shapes with low wrinkling.
Nylon became a household word in 1940 when it was knitted into hosiery. In 1942 it was called into service for the armed forces use in parachutes, flak vests, combat uniforms, tires and many other vital military uses. Until the war was over nylon was not available to the public. Nylon became one of the most versatile fibers of the man-made fabrics. In addition to hosiery, nylon is used in tricot, netting for bridal veils, and in carpeting. It is an expensive polymer so its use in broad goods is fairly limited to applications desiring high strength.Nylon is stronger yet weighs less than any other commonly used fiber. It is elastic and resilient and responsive to heat setting. Nylon fibers are smooth, non-absorbent and dry quickly. Dirt doesn't cling to this smooth fiber nor is it weakened by chemicals and perspiration. Extensive washing and drying in an automatic dryer can eventually cause piling. Nylon whites should be washed separately to avoid graying. This fabric may yellow so it should be bleached frequently with sodium perborate bleach.Nylon melts at high temperatures. If ironing is necessary, always use a low temperature on the unprinted side.
Polyester is a strong fiber that is resistant to creasing and therefore keeps it shape. Polyester melts at medium to high temperatures. Although many people dislike pure polyester, perhaps due to the double knit fad of the 1950, polyester remains a versatile and important man-made fabric. Blends of polyester give cotton a permanent press property and extend the wear of these blended garments. Polyester is manufactured in many weights including fiber-fill used in pillows and upholstery. Threads spun from polyester fibers are strong, wear exceptionally well, and are used extensively in home sewing, manufactured sewing and upholstery fabrics.
Rayon is an older plastic that is made from cellulose and has many of the qualities of cotton, a natural cellulose fiber. Rayon is strong, extremely absorbent, comes in a variety of qualities and weights, and can be made to resemble natural fabrics. Rayon does not melt but burns at high temperatures. Rayon drapes well, has a soft feel and can have a smooth, napped, or bulky surface. Rayon will wrinkle easily and may stretch when wet and shrink when washed.
Technological advancements to the rayon process have produced high wet modulus [HWM] rayons such as Lyocell and modal which makes fabric less prone to stretch when damp or wet. Washable rayon will state the care on the fabric label. Like silk, if you pre-wash rayon fabric prior to construction of the garment, you have a washable garment. Some velvet is made from rayon fiber.
Spandex is an elastic type fiber that can be stretched many times its length and then spring back to the original length. Spandex is more resistant to washing, perspiration, and heat than latex. Spandex is used in foundation garments and hosiery but typically not extensively used in upholstery due to its elasticity.
Vinyl
Perhaps the most vilified and misunderstood material of all time, vinyl holds its place in polymer history as one of the most versatile films with applications from building products to furniture coverings. Although not commonly associated with fabrics, vinyl is an extruded film that is backed with various materials to offer the manufacturers a wide array of choices in look, feel and durability while presenting a near perfect surface for coloring, material stability and easy maintenance. Vinyl is routinely used in furniture as a means to create a low cost leather look and feel. Some vinyls are so realistic as compared to the animal skin they replace that it often does not make sense to use leather. Vinyls are a good all-around selection as a covering material.
Decision Time
Now that you have been exposed to quite a bit of information regarding fabric choices and their applications, you can select a fabric that offers the best blend of look, feel and cost for the consumer and workability, quality and cost for the manufacturer. Realize the trade-offs that are possible in material selection and what they mean for your product selections!
