5 Unexpected Ways to Use Upholstery Fabric

Fabric...it's not just for sofa covers anymore.

We still love it on sofa covers, of course, and used in all the traditional ways, like fashioned into Roman shades (as the Serendipity fabric pictured above in Sage, Light Spring Grass, Tutu, and Classic Pink has been).

We just don't think fabric's usefulness stops with the traditional uses. That's why we've compiled this list of six great alternative uses for upholstery fabric:

1.Table Linens

Most upholstery fabric is a little thick to use as a tablecloth, though it works nicely as a cloth for an outdoor table (think picnic, plus the table). Plus, table linens don't start and stop at "tablecloth." With just a little cutting and hemming, you can make great placemats and runners out of just a few yards of inexpensive upholstery fabric. Crate & Barrel, eat your heart out!

We love the idea of turning Tribeca fabric, pictured at the right in Crimson, Silver, and Gray, into festive holiday table coverings.

2. Transform a Party Space

One of the quickest, simplest ways to transform your home from the place you live every day into a fantastic party space is to drape your walls - any walls - with fancy fabric (such as the classic Duo in Silver and White). Creating an indoor tent, you'll hide all manner of messy sins and create a really special place that will wow guests.

This is a perfect way to dress a house up for a grand-scale New Year's Eve party, or even a wedding.

3. Kids Crafts

Save all your scraps - even the tiniest ones - and share them with your children, or donate them to local childcare facilities or preschools. The collage art kids can make with leftover upholstery fabric would make even Marcel Duchamp smile.

4. Purse It

Upholstery fabric is hardy and pretty and that's a great combination for an everyday bag or purse. Follow these basic instructions, adjusting for your own size preferences, and maybe add a different material, such as wood, for a handle.

We'd make a fun, summery bag out of Maven fabric in Crimson, Tutu, Light Spring Grass, and Classic Pink. Perfect for the beach, the boat, or daytime margaritas on the deck!

5. Flowery Fun

We love the blogger and Etsy shop owner This Recycled Life. She has tons of suggestions for making use of stuff we find ourselves left with - like leftover upholstery fabric. Of all her suggestions for fabric, our favorite is her pretty fabric flowers. They'd make great gift-wrapping or decoration, and they're a fantastic way to use those leftover scraps (or even to buy fabric for, actually). We like the idea of making flowers out of Rose Leaves fabric in Silver, Cream, Blueberry, and Baby Blue:

Leaves on fabric - it just works for us!

How do you use your leftover fabric? Any fun projects to add to our list? Please leave suggestions in the comments!