Getting a "feel" for fabrics

Did you grow up without being allowed in the living room? I remember my mom constantly reminding us not to enter the living room because she had just raked the carpet (can you imagine how funny it was to rake your shag?) or not to sit on the sofa because we had blue jeans on and the die from our jeans might come off on the sofa fabric.

Today, in my own home, I want everyone to feel comfortable in every room and on every piece of furniture (that includes four legged furry children, a husband, two legged daughter as well as all the friends and family that visit). Heaven forbid I should ever here myself yelling at anyone about entering a space or sitting on a particular piece of furniture.

Having said that, it is imperative to choose fabrics wisely; one must never sacrifice the visual for the practical, or visa-versa. So, let's get to know a little about the fabrics that we sit on.

• Cotton is a good longwearing fabric. However, be aware that it does stretch and wrinkle easily and you may find that it will pucker or dimple in time. Twill and duck weaves are a little tighter and will wear longer. To hide soiling and spills on cotton, try to choose one that has some depth (pile) and texture, such as chenille instead of glazed cotton. Many cotton fabrics will be blended with other synthetic fibers to help improve durability. Personally, I prefer hanging cotton fabrics (drapery) to sitting on them. Cotton with a woven patter will wear substantially better than a printed pattern.
• Wool is natural, sturdy and durable. Wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. By and large, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean (blends can be spot cleaned when necessary). Less expensive ?wool look' fabrics will be made from acrylic. Low quality acrylic tends to pill excessively in high-wear situations, while better quality acrylics are manufactured to resist pilling.
• Polyester and nylon are generally blended with other fibers to make strong upholstery fabrics, add wrinkle resistance, eliminate crushing, and reduce fading. These blends will offer the most realistic-looking versions of silk and raw linen. Many are machine washable and can be easily spot cleaned. Versatile and easy to live with, these fabrics are great for upholstery and drapery. They have excellent value and durability, but beware of piling and fading.
• Olefin is another synthetic option you are likely to run across on your search for the perfect upholstery fabric. It is a fashionable and durable choice for furniture likely to receive heavy wear.
• Leather and faux leathers are bar none the easiest to live with and a fantastic option for your most sat in furniture; it will last a long time and is easily cleaned. Particularly useful are patterns, such as distressed, or textured leather like stylish ostrich or alligator. The more wear and tear the piece receives, the better it actually looks. Many imitation or vinyl leathers can fool even a highly trained eye, but they will not have the same durability as natural leather.
• Micro fibers, faux suede and textured velvets (brushed surfaces) are usually rated for 15,000 double rubs (that's a lot of bums in and out of a seat). Extremely hardwearing and easily cleaned, these ?pleasant to the touch' fabrics are good options for often-used rooms. They provide excellent value, durability and clean-ability.