Selecting the Perfect Fabric by the Yard/Metre

When starting to source fabric for a project, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer variety of pattern, colour and texture. A bit like stepping into a garden of endless blooms, with each fabric whispering its own story! Choosing the perfect fabric by the yard/metre is an intimate journey in a way - almost inviting you to slow down, feel the textures, and imagine the life it will bring to your home. As a fabric designer, and also someone who has aways adored fabric, I wanted to share with you some of my thought processes on how to select fabrics that can help bring calm, natural beauty, and something unique into your home.

Embracing the Art of Choosing Fabric by the Yard

So how do you begin to choose the perfect fabric companion for your home? You want something that feels right to the touch, complements your style, and stands the test of time. I always start by considering the purpose...before I get too dazzled by pattern and colour! Will it be for curtains, upholstery, cushions, or a luxury Roman blind? Each use calls for different qualities.

For example, if you’re looking for upholstery fabric, durability is key. Look for tightly woven textiles like linen blends or cotton canvas that can withstand daily wear*. On the other hand, curtains for an airy room that is filled with light might suggest lighter, flowing fabrics such as voile or linen that catch the light beautifully and create a soft, inviting atmosphere.

It's always helpful to bring small swatches home or order samples online to add to your moodboard . This way, you can see how the fabric interacts with your room’s lighting and existing colours or paint swatches. Most designers or fabric houses will also offer you the chance to buy larger returnable samples so that you can see more of the pattern.

Natural linen fabric close-up has a beautiful soft texture and weave

Understanding Fabric Types and Their Unique Qualities

So, which fabric type will suit your purpose? A few easy reminders to help you get started:

• Linen: Breathable, durable, and with a beautiful natural texture. Linen ages gracefully, becoming softer with time. It’s perfect for cushions, curtains, and upholstery.

• Cotton: Versatile and easy to care for, cotton fabrics come in many weights and weaves. They are ideal for slipcovers, bedding, and casual upholstery.

• Wool: Warm and cosy, wool adds texture and depth. It’s excellent for throws and upholstery in cooler rooms.

• Silk: Luxurious and smooth, silk brings a subtle sheen and elegance. Use it sparingly for cushions or drapes to add a touch of sophistication.

• Velvet: Soft and plush, velvet creates a rich, inviting feel. It’s perfect for accent chairs or cushions that want to make a statement.

  
  

At Leaping Foxes we specialise in using a linen cotton blend, combining the natural textural beauty of linen with the strength of cotton. We find this gives a perfect weight and quality feel for curtains and blinds and is also less likely to crease than pure linen.

Linen, breathable and durable to create a natural feel in your home

Choosing Independent Designers for a Unique Home

We are all looking for something different for our homes, to help give them that curated look and feel. What can small, boutique fabric collections, created by independent fabric designers, bring to your home?

• Unique patterns and colours: small design houses are able to flex and adapt quickly to bring out new patterns and colourways and change in response to buying patterns, which means they are a good place to find something a little different.

• Bespoke patterns and colourway: it can be possible (just ask us!) to bespoke fabric for you.

• Printed just for you: our fabric is printed to order meaning that you can order as little as 1metre/yard and there is no waste.

• Cost effectiveness: prices are more likely to be mid range rather than high end. While we may not have economies of scale, we don't have large overheads either, so prices reflect quality alone.

• Quality: small designers are very hands on, meaning they know the quality of the fabric and work with a small number of highly trusted suppliers.

• Customer care: independent designers are passionate about their product and are most likely to be the person you will be dealing with when you buy their fabric.

How to Measure and Order Fabric by the Yard

One of the most practical steps is measuring and ordering your fabric. It’s a moment that requires a little patience and precision, but it’s also exciting because it brings your vision closer to reality.

For curtains, measure the width and length of your window, adding extra for hems, as well as for the desired 'fullness' you want to achieve - as a guide, a standard fullness is typically 2 to 2.5 times the track/pole width. For a luxurious appearance, you might go up to 3 times. Then check the fabric width. Most fabrics come in standard widths (ours is 142cm), but some may vary. This affects how much fabric you need to buy.

There are lots of useful guides online to help you measure for blinds, curtains and upholstery projects, but your curtain maker or upholsterer will largely take care of this for you at the critical stage. If you want to discuss your needs with one of our stockists, please do!

Your curtain maker or upholsterer will take all necessary measurements before ordering from us

Caring for Your Fabric to Preserve Its Beauty

Once you’ve chosen your fabric (and we do hope it's ours!), the next step is to care for it to ensure it last for years to come! Fabrics are living elements in our homes - they breathe, age, and respond to their environment.

A few things to keep in mind to look after your fabrics:

• Regular dusting and vacuuming: Use a soft brush attachment to remove dust and prevent dirt buildup.

• Spot cleaning: Attend to spills immediately with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage fibres. Dab, dont rub!

• Professional cleaning: Our linen union fabrics are digitally printed and professional dry cleaning only is recommended.

• Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade colours.

• Rotate cushions : This helps even out wear and keeps your fabrics looking their best.

• Avoid moisture: natural fabrics such as linen, can become mouldy with excessive moisture. Synthetic fabric may be better suited to bathrooms - but please discuss this with your curtain maker, as it can vary depending on the room set up.

  
  

By treating your fabrics with care, you invite them to become part of your home’s story - growing softer, richer, and more beautiful with time.

Bringing It All Together: Creating a Calm and Timeless Home

Choosing fabric by the yard is more than a practical task - it's a very personal choice that can have a huge impact on creating your unique sense of home. When I design fabrics, I imagine the gentle rustle of curtains in a soft sea breeze, the timeless elegance of natural fibres that never go out of style and pattern and colour that evokes nature and helps to create a sense of calm.

By focusing on natural materials, timeless colours, and thoughtful care, you create a sanctuary that feels both grounded and inviting. A space where every fabric tells a story of calm, nature, and enduring beauty.

So, take your time. Feel the textures. Explore the colour and pattern. Imagine the possibilities. And when you’re ready, I hope you enjoy exploring our beautiful boutique collection of fabric by the yard that can help you bring your vision to life.

• *Our fabrics are digitally printed and can be used for 'light use' upholstery. This might include a bedroom chair or headboard, but not for example a sofa that has heavy use.