Fabric Needed
7.3 yd
Fabric Cost
$183.33
Per Piece
7.3 yd
Fabric choice: Look for upholstery-weight fabric rated 15,000+ double rubs for durability. Crypton and Sunbrella are top performers.
Directional fabrics: Nap, velvet, and one-way patterns need all pieces cut in the same direction—add 15–20% extra yardage.
Welting: Pre-made welting costs $2–$5/yard. Self-made welting uses bias-cut strips from your fabric for a seamless look.
| Furniture | Yardage |
|---|---|
| Dining Chair | 1.5–2 yd |
| Armchair | 6–8 yd |
| Club Chair | 8–12 yd |
| Loveseat | 10–14 yd |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 15–20 yd |
| Ottoman | 2.5–5 yd |
| Bench | 2.5–4 yd |
Professional upholstery labor runs $150–$900+ depending on furniture complexity
Inputs
Result
An armchair needs 5–6 yards of 54" fabric as baseline. With no pattern adjustment and 0.5 yard for self-welting, total is 6 yards. At $25/yard, fabric cost is $150.
Inputs
Result
Each dining chair needs about 1.75 yards base. With 15% stripe matching allowance, each chair needs about 2 yards. For 6 chairs: 12.1 yards total at $18/yard = $217.
Inputs
Result
A 3-seat sofa base is 12–14 yards on 54" fabric. With 60" width, reduce by ~10% to 11.7 yards. Small pattern repeat adds 10% (1.2 yd), plus 0.5 for welting = 13.4 yards at $35/yd = $468.
A standard 3-seat sofa needs 12–14 yards of 54-inch wide upholstery fabric. This covers the seat cushions, back cushions, arms, skirt, and all hidden panels. Add 10% for small pattern repeats or 15% for large patterns and stripes. Including welting/piping adds about 0.5 yards. If using 60-inch wide fabric, you can reduce total yardage by about 10%.
| Furniture | Yardage (54") | Yardage (60") | Typical Cost ($25/yd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining Chair | 1.5–2 yd | 1.5 yd | $38–$50 |
| Armchair | 5–6 yd | 4.5–5.5 yd | $125–$150 |
| Loveseat | 8–10 yd | 7–9 yd | $200–$250 |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 12–14 yd | 11–12.5 yd | $300–$350 |
Pattern repeat increases fabric needed because every piece must be cut so the pattern aligns across the finished piece. A small repeat (under 12 inches) adds about 10% extra yardage. Large repeats (12+ inches) or stripes that must match at seams add 15% or more. Solid fabrics and non-directional textures need no extra allowance.
| Pattern Type | Extra Fabric | Sofa (14 yd base) | Chair (6 yd base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid/Plain | +0% | 14 yd | 6 yd |
| Small Repeat | +10% | 15.4 yd | 6.6 yd |
| Large Repeat/Stripe | +15% | 16.1 yd | 6.9 yd |
For everyday furniture, choose fabric rated at 15,000+ double rubs (Wyzenbeek test). Crypton and Sunbrella fabrics rate 100,000+ double rubs and resist stains. Leather lasts decades with care. Avoid silk, linen, and lightweight cotton on frequently used furniture—they wear out quickly and show soil.
| Fabric | Double Rubs | Stain Resist | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypton | 100,000+ | Excellent | $30–$60/yd |
| Sunbrella | 100,000+ | Excellent | $25–$50/yd |
| Microfiber | 50,000–100,000 | Good | $15–$30/yd |
| Cotton Duck | 15,000–30,000 | Low | $10–$20/yd |
DIY reupholstery of an armchair costs $125–$300 in fabric at $25/yard plus $20–50 in supplies (staples, batting, webbing). Professional labor adds $400–$800 for an armchair or $600–$1,200 for a sofa. The DIY savings are significant if you have basic tools and patience—you only pay for materials.
| Furniture | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining Chair | $40–$60 | $150–$300 | 60–80% |
| Armchair | $150–$350 | $600–$1,000 | 50–70% |
| Sofa | $350–$600 | $1,200–$2,500 | 55–75% |
Welting (piping) is optional but gives a polished, professional look. It defines the edges between panels and hides seams. A standard armchair uses about 8 linear feet of welting; a sofa uses 20 feet. Self-welting (made from your own fabric) adds about 0.5 yards of fabric for bias-cut strips. Pre-made welting costs $2–5/yard.
| Furniture | Welting Length | Self-Welt Fabric | Pre-Made Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining Chair | ~2 ft | +0.25 yd | $4–$10 |
| Armchair | ~8 ft | +0.5 yd | $16–$40 |
| Sofa | ~20 ft | +0.5 yd | $40–$100 |
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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