Where Can I Buy Upholstery Fabric? A Complete Guide

TL;DR: You can buy upholstery fabric online directly from a brand's website, through marketplaces like Amazon, or via a trade program if you are a designer or upholstery professional. The best option depends on how much you need, whether you want to sample first, and how quickly you need it delivered.

Where Can I Buy Upholstery Fabric? A Complete Guide

It is one of the most common questions people ask before starting a reupholstery project: where do you actually buy upholstery fabric? Not just any fabric, but the right fabric for the piece you are working on, in the right yardage, at a price that makes sense.

The good news is that buying upholstery fabric has never been more straightforward. Whether you are a homeowner tackling a DIY chair project, an interior designer sourcing for a client, or an upholsterer ordering in volume, there are several reliable options to choose from. Here is a full breakdown of where to buy upholstery fabric and what to consider with each route.

Option 1: Buy Directly from an Online Fabric Brand

Buying upholstery fabric directly from a brand's website is the best option for most people. You get access to the full range of fabric types, colorways, and yardage options, along with product specs, durability ratings, and the ability to order sample swatches before committing to a full purchase.

The key advantages of buying direct are:

• Full colorway selection across every collection
• Detailed product specs including double rub ratings, fiber content, width, and certifications
• Sample swatches available before you order yardage
• Continuous yardage cuts so multiple yards arrive as one uncut piece
• Direct support from the brand if you have questions about your project

Liz Jordan-Hill Fabrics (lizjordanhill.com) is a strong example of a direct online fabric brand worth knowing. Founded in 1978 and based in Chicago, they specialize in AquaClean powered stain resistant upholstery fabric sold by the yard, with free shipping on all US orders. The full range includes chenille, velvet, microsuede, brindle, embossed, and faux leather fabrics across a wide range of colorways, all rated at 70,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs or above.

Option 2: Buy Upholstery Fabric on Amazon

Amazon is a convenient option for smaller projects or when you need faster delivery. Liz Jordan-Hill fabrics are available on Amazon, including the AC Spirit Chenille, pet-friendly microsuede, and vinyl upholstery options.

The advantages of buying on Amazon include faster Prime delivery and a familiar checkout experience. The trade-off is that the full colorway range and yardage options are typically more limited than buying direct from the brand website.

If you know exactly what you want and need it quickly, Amazon works well. If you are still comparing options or need a specific color, buying direct gives you more control.

Option 3: Order Upholstery Fabric Through a Trade Program

If you are an interior designer, upholsterer, or work in hospitality or commercial design, a trade program is worth looking into before placing any order. Trade programs typically offer exclusive pricing, priority support, and access to the full product range.

Liz Jordan-Hill offers a dedicated trade program for design and upholstery professionals. You can apply at lizjordanhill.com/pages/join-the-liz-jordan-hill-trade-program or contact the team directly to find out more.

Option 4: Find a Local Upholstery Fabric Dealer

Liz Jordan-Hill also has a dealer network for those who prefer to see and touch fabric in person before buying. You can use the dealer locator at lizjordanhill.com to find an installation partner or authorized dealer near you. This is a good option if you are working on a larger project and want hands-on guidance from a local professional.

What to Check Before You Buy Upholstery Fabric Anywhere

Regardless of where you buy, there are a few things worth confirming before placing any order.

Durability rating: Look for the Wyzenbeek double rub count. For everyday residential furniture, 30,000 is a reasonable baseline. For heavy use, high traffic, or commercial settings, 70,000 and above is the benchmark to aim for.

Stain resistance: Check whether the stain resistance is fiber-integrated or a surface coating. Surface coatings wear off over time. Fiber-integrated technology like AquaClean is built into each fiber during manufacturing and does not degrade with use or washing.

Width and yardage format: Most upholstery fabric is 54 inches wide. Confirm whether multiple yards ship as one continuous piece or individually cut, as this matters for larger furniture projects.

Sample availability: Never commit to full yardage without ordering a sample first. Colors look different in person than on screen, and texture is impossible to judge from a photo alone.

Return policy: Because fabric is custom cut to order, most suppliers do not accept returns on cut yardage unless there is a defect. This is exactly why sampling first is so important.

Where to Buy Upholstery Fabric: Quick Comparison

Shop Upholstery Fabric by the Yard at Liz Jordan-Hill

Every fabric in the Liz Jordan-Hill range is AquaClean powered, PFAS free, PVC free, and rated at 70,000 double rubs or above. All fabrics are sold by the continuous yard at 54 inches wide with free shipping on all US orders. Sample swatches are available before you commit to yardage.

• AC Spirit Chenille — top selling chenille, 20+ colorways, 75,000+ double rubs
• AC Veneto Chenille — multi-tonal weave, warm and bold shades
• AC Duetto Chenille — classic soft chenille, commercial grade durability
• AC Imperial Matte Chenille — understated finish, from $5.20/yard
• AC Victory Chenille — durable everyday chenille
• AC Bellagio Velvet — luxurious flat pile velvet, from $8.00/yard
• AC Marina Brindle — woven patterned brindle with SafeFront antimicrobial protection
• AC Carabu Embossed — leather grain embossed texture, 100,000 double rubs
• AC Daytona Microsuede — matte nubuck finish, rated for marine and automotive use

To order samples: lizjordanhill.com/pages/samples
Phone or text: 224-904-3355
Email: sales@lizjordanhill.com

Conclusion

Where you buy upholstery fabric depends on what you need and how you prefer to shop. For the widest selection, sample availability, and continuous yardage cuts, buying directly from a brand website is the most reliable option. Amazon works well for faster delivery on smaller orders. Trade programs are worth exploring for designers and professionals ordering regularly. And if you want to see and touch the fabric before buying, a local dealer or installation partner is the way to go.

Whatever route you choose, always order a sample before committing to yardage. It is the single most reliable way to make sure the fabric works in your space before you spend money on a full order.

Browse the full range and order free samples at Liz Jordan-Hill Fabrics.