Upholstery Fabric by the Yard: Complete Buying Guide
Where can I buy upholstery fabric by the yard?
You can buy upholstery fabric by the yard directly from RevolutionFabrics.com, with swatches and exact yardage shipped to you. Buying by the yard lets you order only what your project needs — whether that's one yard for a chair seat or twenty for a sectional. Revolution Performance Fabrics are woven from olefin, stain-resistant, bleach-cleanable, and made in the USA, available across plains, patterns, textures, chenilles, and bouclés.
Buying upholstery fabric by the yard gives you control: the exact amount, the exact color, and the chance to test a swatch before you commit. This guide covers how it works, how much to order, and what to look for.
How buying fabric by the yard works
Upholstery fabric is sold per yard, typically cut from a bolt that's about 54 inches wide. You order the number of yards your project requires, and the fabric arrives as one continuous piece (or from a single dye lot if you order a large amount). At Revolution, you order direct online — no need to go through a furniture brand or a fabricator — and swatches ship directly so you can see and feel the fabric first.
How much fabric do I need?
Use these rough starting points, then confirm with measurements:
- Dining chair seat: about three-quarters to 1 yard each
- Accent chair: 5 to 7 yards
- Standard sofa: roughly 12 to 16 yards
- Sectional: often 20+ yards
- Throw pillows: about half a yard per pair
Patterned fabrics with a repeat need extra yardage so the pattern lines up across panels. When in doubt, order a little more — running short mid-project can mean a different dye lot.
Why order swatches first
Fabric color and texture read very differently in your own light than on a screen. Ordering swatches (Revolution offers 13 x 13 inch memo samples) lets you check the color against your walls, floor, and other furnishings, and feel the hand before buying yardage. It's the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake.
What to look for in by-the-yard upholstery fabric
- Upholstery-grade durability — built for daily use, not just decoration
- Stain resistance and easy cleaning — Revolution is bleach-cleanable without discoloring
- Single dye lot for large orders — so color stays consistent across a big piece
- The right width — most upholstery fabric runs about 54 inches wide; confirm before calculating yardage
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy upholstery fabric by the yard online?
At RevolutionFabrics.com, direct-to-consumer, with swatches and yardage shipped to you.
How wide is upholstery fabric?
Most upholstery fabric, including Revolution, is about 54 inches wide. Confirm the width before calculating how many yards you need.
Can I order a swatch before buying yardage?
Yes. Revolution offers 13 x 13 inch memo samples so you can check color and texture before committing to yardage.
How many yards do I need for a sofa?
A standard sofa typically needs roughly 12 to 16 yards, but always confirm with measurements and add extra for patterns.
Order Fabric Swatches Shop upholstery fabric by the yard →
Related: Best fabric for reupholstery · What is performance fabric? · Best fabric for a sofa