Six things to consider when choosing fabric

Sheri Corey is entering outdoor cushion order season, but her store, Sew Sheri, is still taking plenty of fabric orders for drapery, bedding, furniture and more.

With 20 years in the business and two and half owning her Mountain Brook Village showroom, Corey certainly knows fabrics. She boasts that, despite conceptions about a local store, it offers competitive prices and sales at least once a week. Most of all, she wants people to know that shopping with Sew Sheri allows you to customize a project just as you want it, and you are purchasing something made in the United States.

“People don’t always realized you get superior quality over anything ready-made,” she said.

We talked with her about what to consider as you think about tackling spring fabric projects.

1. When it’s time: You need new fabric when you see it fading and starting to get thin.

2. Reupholster vs. slipcover: If you like your current fabric and/or have children or pets, a slipcover is a good option for furniture. If your current fabric has wear and tear, consider reupholstering.

3. How much “wearability”: Consider how much the fabric will be used and sat to determine the quantity of “double rubs,” which are the measure of how many abrasions a fabric can take before it wears out. Most fabrics come in at least 30,000 double rubs, but Sew Sheri carries fabrics with up to 150,000.

4. Indoor/outdoor fabric: Indoor/outdoor fabric has become popular with parents of small children. The fabrics are now made soft to touch, and can be washed with soap and water. They also do not bleach or fade from sun exposure.

5. Neutral for big pieces: For big furniture pieces, Corey recommends choosing a neutral fabric instead of a pattern. If you get tired of a patterned fabric, it’s much easier to redo a chair or pillows than a sofa.

6. What’s trending: Corey said Sew Sheri is finally starting to see more colors, especially blues and greens as well as corals. Geometric, suzani (Asian-inspired designs with floral elements) and ikat (zigzag, diamond-shaped and geometric patterns with feathered lines) designs are also big.

Sew Sheri is located at 2832 Culver Road. For more call 879-8278 or visit sewsheri.com.