Common Fabric Misconceptions

As an interior design retailer who sells to and works with customers everyday, we hear a lot of misconceptions. People hear something from someone else and like the game of telephone, the information goes from good to "how does that even make sense" in a matter of no time. Hopefully, this will dispel any wonderings one might have.

Fabric: There are so many misconceptions about fabric. We tried to hit the main ones but I'm sure we missed a few.
Polyester is stretchy - SOME polyester is stretchy but not all. It depends on how the fabric is made and with what other material. For instance, a polyester faux silk is in no way, shape or form stretchy but polyester lycra is because it is knitted with a spandex.

If it's a heavy weight, thick fabric it is rated for upholstery - WRONG! Just because it is heavy and thick doesn't mean it should be used for upholstery. What the fabric is made of, how it is made and the backing take a huge part in the quality of a fabric.

All vinyls are good for heavy upholstery and automotive use - This is not true. Like all other fabrics, the quality and durability of a vinyl is what determines what it can and cannot be used for. Light weight vinyls like our Galaxy, Wet Look and Softee to name a few can be used for some light weight applications but are not suggested for use in marine, automotive and furniture that will get a lot use.
Heavier, more durable vinyl like Windstar, Atlantis and Canyon have all been tested and treated for lightfastness, flammability, double rubs and cold crack, just to name a few ratings they pass and therefore are perfect for commercial, automotive and marine use.

Polyester is cheap/ugly. I won't say this statement is completely false because I have seen some polyester fabrics that look terrible. They were cheaply made, therefore they looked cheap and did not have the quality necessary. However, polyester is often used to make fabric and the fabric comes out looking beautiful and with amazing quality. Just because the fabric content may be polyester, does not mean it is a bad fabric and you should dismiss it. I have seen some polyester faux silk and I thought it was real silk at first sight.


Faux leather is cheap/ugly. I know that when you get it in your head you want a certain fabric or type of fabric for your project it is hard to listen to other options but sometimes those other options
have the same quality as what you want but at a cheaper costs. Faux leather often has the same look and feel of real leather but at a fraction of the costs.

Just because it is not rated doesn't mean you can't use it for upholstery. Not every fabric manufacturer tests their fabrics durability but just because the fabric was never tested doesn't mean you can't use it for upholstery. You can typically look at a fabric and know whether or not it should be used for upholstering a piece of furniture. If you have a fabric you are interested in and don't know the abrasion rating, look at the weave of the fabric. Is it a tight weave or is it loose? Could something easily snag the fabric which would hinder the quality? Does it have a backing? Many light weight fabrics such as cotton prints or linens can be used for upholstery if they are backed.

Fabrics are available forever. Believe it or not a fabric really only lasts about 4-5 years before being discontinued. If you bought a fabric 10 years ago unfortunately that fabric was discontinued long ago.

Hopefully these answered any questions you might have had and if you have anything else you need answered feel free to ask us on here or visit www.InteriorMall.com

2013 DIY Project #3 - Happy Scrappy Fabric Curtains

For DIY project #3 we had the fabulous idea to make curtains out of fabric scraps. Some great things about this project is that #1 it's easy and #2 with it being fabric scraps it is affordable. If you have ever done fabric projects in the past, odds are you have some scraps lying around the house and if you don't, hit up your local fabric store. They will have plenty of remnants just waiting to be used for a project like this.

Visit our DIY project page for step-by-step instructions on how to make these fun and super funky curtains.

For more DIY fabric projects don't forget to check out our full list and make sure to check back every month for a new project and be sure to visit our fabric page to pick the perfect fabric for your next project.

National Championship Winners: Louisville Cardinals

Celebrate with the Louisville Cardinals  - check out all the products for the college sports fan at InteriorMall.com  You can find bedding, kitchen décor, room décor, fabric and fleece for Louisville and many other popular teams.

New Bedding Sets

Chanda Bedding Set

One of my favorite bedding companies, Bliss Living Home, has introduced several new bedding sets for 2013.  All of the new styles are inspired by the owner's recent travels to Abu Dhabi.  Inspired by the traditional motifs and the colors of sand and sky, the new designs feature a modern palette.  Exotic design allows you to create a romantic getaway in your own home.  Take a look at the new styles on our website or Pinterest board.

2013 DIY Project #2 - Fabric Wreath

For DIY project #2, the lovely Rachel made a fabric wreath and since Valentines Day is just around the corner we thought why not use some cute Valentines Day inspired fabrics.

Click on the link for step-by-step instructions and video.

Check out all of our projects here and don't forget to come back next month for a new one!

Be sure to check out the sale on Jellybean Rugs! Select styles, 20% off. This is a limited time offer and is only while supplies last so you better hurry!

Jonathan Adler for Kravet

Jonathan Adler in all his fabulousness has designed a line of fabrics for Kravet. Starting in the design industry with a pottery line almost 20 years ago, Jonathan Adler has really made a name for himself
 as a leading designer.

His Utopia collection designed for Kravet is a fantastic blend of bright, eye catching color as well as muted neutrals for a modern twist with a global feel that really brings style, craft and joy to your home.

Be sure check out the entire Utopia collection by Jonathan Adler at InteriorMall.com

2013 DIY Project #1 - Fabric Wall Art

The staff at InteriorMall.com has decided to take 2013 and use it as the year of DIY. Every month we will post a new DIY project containing written step-by-step instructions and pictures as well as video.

 January:
Fabric Wall Art 

Be sure to check back every month for a new project.

InteriorMall.com is having a sale on ALL IN-STOCK Premier Prints fabric! Check out all that we have to offer while stock remains.

Ceiling Fans for Winter?

A ceiling fan can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 15%. The temperature of the air in a heated room varies in layers; the air near the ceiling is warmer than the air near the floor, because warm air rises. A ceiling fan can help push the warmer air that is trapped near the ceiling back down into the room, thus de-stratifying the layers of warm air. As a result, the warm air is circulated where it is needed, and the heating system does not overwork to warm the room. To properly de-stratify a warmed room, the ceiling fan should be run in a clockwise direction. This pushes the air up against the ceilings and down the walls, to gently re-circulate the warm air without creating a cooling wind chill effect.

Whether you're looking to warm up a room for winter or cool down an indoor or outdoor space for summer, Interior Mall has the Hunter, Casablanca and DecoBreeze fan for you!    

(Data and information provided by Hunter Ceiling Fan Co.)



 

Pinterest

What in the world did we do before Pinterest? Well, I know I didn't know how to make no sew curtain panels or get the idea to make custom drawer pulls for my son's bedroom.

Pinterest has opened up a whole world of DIY ideas that have taken even the uncraftiest of people and made them Martha Stewart. People are more creative and more into DIY than ever before. We feel a sense of accomplishment when we complete a project that we did all on our own. Not to mention we want everything custom but don't always have the money for it. Buying custom items are double sometimes triple what it costs if you were to do the project yourself. (Keep in mind there are a few projects that should not be attempted at home.)
Items have also become more personable. Pinterest also gives us great gift, cards and invitation ideas that allows us to send something more personable to others which people find so refreshing.
So keep Pinning everyone and if you come across a Pin that you would like to see us try, let us know!

Wall decals not just for walls.....

Being that this weekend was supposed to be our last warm weekend for quite a while I decided it was time I finally worked on the table that I have in my son's room. This table was a $20.00 Wal-Mart special from when I was in college. I graduated college in 2005 if that tells you anything.

As you can see the table was nothing special. It had a light oak veneer top and gray metal legs. Since his room is superheroes and I have extra, what he calls "Hulk Smash Green" paint from painting his walls I decided I would paint the top the same color and then put peel and stick wall appliques on top. Inexpensive and easy...right up my ally. He has a gray metal castle bed in his room the same color as the table base so I decided to just leave the base the same color. He chose Spiderman appliques for the top so I purchased those as well as some water based polyurethane.

After sanding the top I painted, placed the appliques and then sprayed my polyurethane on top (I did 3 coats just to be safe) and voila!

Disclaimer: Please ignore all the toys in the floor. He's 5, his room can go from clean to messy in a matter of seconds!

As an added bonus I had left over wall appliques so now I can either use them on his dresser that I plan on refinishing or put them on his walls.