Fabric Consultation: Selection, Sourcing & Strategy
—
Greensboro NC &
Nationwide

Sourcing Fabric Since 2004: Industry Relationships That Open
Doors

Since 2004, we've sourced premium designer materials for individual clients and interior designers throughout the NC Triad and beyond. Those two decades of industry relationships—with suppliers, showrooms, and High Point connections—give you access to materials and guidance that typical retail simply can't provide.

In-Studio Collection, Trade-Level Access & High Point Connections

Our fabric sourcing network gives you access beyond what many retail sources can provide:

• Our in-studio collection: An extensive range of home décor fabrics available to browse, compare, and coordinate in person—including Covington, Fabricut, Hamilton, Kravet, Magnolia, P/Kaufmann, Regal, Stout, and Waverly for everyday options; Schumacher and Brunschwig & Fils for iconic designer looks;  and Crypton, Sunbrella, and Thibaut InsideOut for performance and indoor-outdoor needs.

• High Point connections: Nearby High Point—home to the world's largest furniture market—provides access to trade-level fabrics and trims not available in typical retail stores or online.

• Trusted online resources: When our in-studio collection and High Point connections don't have exactly what you need, our established online sourcing relationships fill the gap.

Planning coordinated home furnishings with the fabrics we source together? → Our Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishing Design Services handles fabric strategy, design, and fabrication across throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions.

Pillow fabric decisions seem straightforward until you consider that a family room sofa throw pillow, a guest bedroom Euro sham, and a decorative bolster on a formal living room chair have almost nothing in common in terms of what the fabric needs to do.

What is the best fabric for throw pillows?

• Daily-use throw pillows on sofas, sectionals, and family room chairs need stain-resistance and durability (30,000+ double rubs).

• • Performance fabrics like Crypton and indoor-outdoor fabrics like  Sunbrella and Thibaut InsideOut handle kids, pets, and daily wear while maintaining sophisticated style—and they've earned that reputation through years of real-world use, not just manufacturer claims.
  
  

• Pillows near south- or west-facing windows and any outdoor throw pillows need UV protection for fade-resistance.

• • Indoor-outdoor fabrics with fiber-level UV protection are made specifically to retain their color with strong sun exposure—and they're now soft enough and sophisticated enough to use throughout your home.
  
  

• Decorative accent pillows in low-traffic spaces—formal living rooms, guest bedrooms, bedrooms where shams, bolster pillows and long lumbar pillows are purely decorative and removed nightly—can showcase luxury textiles like embroidered linen fabrics, lush velvets, and high-end designer prints that would be impractical in daily-use spaces.

• • Pillows used on beds serve varying functions and knowing the function they serve determines our fabric and insert recommendations.
  
  • Pillows that are used for utilitarian comfort—lounging or sleeping—should have firm, ergonomic inserts (like down alternative or memory foam) designed to support your head and neck and pillow covers in fabrics that provide breathability and skin-friendly softness. The focus is on 100% natural fibers like cotton, linen, or high-end performance blends and washability is non-negotiable.
  
  
• • Decorative pillow layers are visual anchors that add height, color, contrasting textures, and a finished, polished look to a bed.
  
  
• • Euro shams, pillow shams, extra-long lumbar pillows and bolster pillows used for decorative layering do not require breathable fabrics.
  
  
• • Fabric selection is therefore broadened to allow for heavier or textured materials like chenille, velvet, and structured linens. These provide a firm or overstuffed appearance that—when filled with supportive feather down or down alternative inserts—holds its shape against the headboard and other pillow layers. Many of these options are dry-clean only.
  
  

How to mix high and low fabrics for custom throw pillows on a budget:

Use high-end or first-quality fabrics and trims on pillow fronts where they're seen most—and for backs and cording, use coordinating more accessible options. Save money by incorporating linens, velvets, or remnant finds—and in the right situations, well-chosen seconds where flaws can be planned around. Lumbar pillows are ideal for luxury fabrics—the rectangular shape requires less yardage while delivering distinctive, high-end styling.

Want to know the secret to the designer throw pillow look:

Always size up your inserts.

Want that magazine-worthy, "karate chop" look? The secret is choosing
premium down or synthetic down-alternative inserts that are 2–4 inches larger than your pillow covers. This eliminates sad, saggy corners. Choose high quality down alternative or natural feather for the ultimate "karate chop." For outdoor spaces use non-woven inserts with synthetic filler. What type of pillow inserts to use depends on the location, frequency of use, and amount of support needed.

→ See our Pillow Insert Type Guide for details on our favorite feather down and synthetic down alternative hypoallergenic inserts.

We typically recommend inserts that are 2 to 4 inches larger than the pillow cover.

→ See our go-to insert sizing guide Pillow Cover & Insert Sizing Recommendations 

PRO TIP: Not all performance fabrics are equal. Look for fiber-level treatment—properties like stain-resistance, fade-resistance, and color are permanently integrated into the fiber's structure during manufacturing and won't wash or wear off. Crypton, Sunbrella, and Thibaut InsideOut all use fiber-level treatment.

Popular requests: Performance fabric throw pillows for family room sectionals • embroidered linen fabrics and plush chenilles for extra-long lumbar pillows or bolster pillows in guest bedrooms • chinoiserie or floral linen fabrics for Euro shams on king beds • designer prints for lumbar pillows on sofas

Want to explore fabric options for your specific pillow project?

→ Schedule Discovery Meeting | Schedule Fabric Consultation: Selection, Sourcing & Strategy


Searching for custom-made throw pillows near you or a custom pillow maker near Greensboro?

→ Browse our made-to-order throw pillow cover collection online

→ Schedule a complimentary Personal Shopping Appointment at our Greensboro studio to see our designer throw pillows, pillow covers, throw blankets and fabric collection in person



Or have us make custom throw pillows:

→ Custom Throw Pillows Made with Your Fabric or Ours

Planning multiple updates within a single space or across multiple rooms?

→ Our Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services fabricates
throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions that integrate with existing décor and provide multi-room style blending.

Bedding fabric selection needs to balance comfort, visual appeal,
and practical care requirements—and the right choice varies by bedding type and frequency of use.

What is the best fabric for custom bedding?

• For made-to-order duvet covers that are slept under nightly—breathability and softness against skin matter more here than almost anywhere else in the home.

• • Natural fibers like cotton and linen are preferred for their breathability, comfort, and longevity with daily use and regular laundering (see Pro Tip below about washable fabrics.)  

• • Large continuous yardage requirements make first-quality essential—duvet covers aren't the place for remnants or seconds.

 • Bed skirts are rarely seen at eye level and receive minimal wear—a genuine opportunity to use well-chosen readily accessible fabrics, remnants, or seconds without compromising visual impact. Fabric with good drape matters most for custom bed skirts. Lining bed skirts can improve drape.

• Add hotel styling to your bedroom with a custom bed runner (or bed scarf). Requiring only modest yardage, these decorative accents showcase designer prints without the cost of a full duvet cover. Try using high-end remnants for custom bed scarves that protect your comforter while adding a designer touch.

• Sun exposure matters for bedding. East-facing bedrooms get strong morning sun; south- and west-facing rooms get afternoon sun. Where sun exposure is significant, choose fade-resistant fabrics for made-to-order bedding.

PRO TIP: Custom bedding is a long-term investment. Many home décor fabrics are not washable, can shrink even when dry cleaned, and may show wear with frequent laundering. For purely decorative pieces, we advise spot cleaning, dusting, or light vacuuming with a soft brush attachment. Always verify the care requirements before selecting your fabric.

Popular requests: Coordinating materials for duvet covers that blend with existing furnishings and décor • small print linen fabrics for bed skirts on non-standard bed frames and antique beds • luxury fabrics for statement piece bed runners

Planning a complete bedroom refresh with coordinating pillows, bedding, and window treatments?

→ Learn about: Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design
Services

Window treatment fabric decisions are among the most consequential in home décor—and among the most commonly misunderstood. Curtain fabric and upholstery fabric have very different requirements and using the wrong material for either use leads to poor results. And the purpose and function of window treatments vary room-to-room and with the need for privacy, light control, temperature regulation, and sound dampening.

What is the best fabric for window treatments?

Drape is the defining characteristic for curtain fabric. Material should fall in soft, fluid folds—not stand out stiffly or collapse limply. Fabric weight matters.

Best Fabric Weights for Curtains (GSM Guide)

When choosing curtain fabric, the weight—measured in Grams per Square Meter (GSM) or Ounces per Square Yard (oz/yd²) —determines how the fabric hangs and blocks light.

Use this guide to find the right fabric for curtains:

• • Lightweight Fabrics (120–200 GSM or 4-7 oz/yd²): Best for unlined or sheer curtains. They offer some privacy while letting natural light filter through.
  
  
• • Medium to Heavy Fabrics (200–450 GSM or 7-13 oz/yd²): Best for structured drapery and lined curtains. They provide a substantial drape and natural light-blocking properties without added bulk.
  
  

Insider Tip: If a fabric hangs well straight off the bolt, it will drape well as finished curtains.

• Light control and privacy needs drive lining selection as much as fabric selection.

• • Blackout lining for master bedrooms and home theaters.

• • Light-filtering sheers for gentle morning light.

• • Layered treatments—curtains over separate blackout panels or sheers on a double rod—for rooms where you want both options.

• Upgrade the look and functionality of your curtains with specialized linings to improve drape, control drafts, regulate temperature, and dampen or block street noise:

• • Blackout Lining: Blocks up to 100% of light, ideal for optimizing bedroom sleep.

• • Flannel-Backed Lining: Regulates temperature year-round and stops window drafts.
  
  
• • Interlining: A thick layer added for a premium, heavy drape and extra insulation.

The right lining matters, especially in bedrooms, family rooms, home offices, and any room where street noise or drafty windows affect daily comfort.

• Fade resistance is non-negotiable for south- and west-facing windows with strong afternoon sun.

• • Fabrics fade quickly without UV protection—even with lining, the leading edge (the inner edge closest to the window) is vulnerable.

• • For sun-drenched windows, we use indoor-outdoor face fabrics or interlining that protects the face fabric from UV damage.

 • Functional panels that open and close daily need different durability considerations than stationary decorative
panels.

• • Wrinkle-resistant, easy-care fabrics suit high-traffic functional panels.

• • More delicate materials are better suited to stationary panels that won't be handled daily.

• Top treatments—valances, cornices, and faux Roman shades—require less yardage than full-length panels, making them ideal for showcasing remnants, designer seconds, or luxury fabrics where full-length yardage would be cost-prohibitive.

• Window treatments address privacy needs while enhancing the welcoming atmosphere, essential to gathering spaces—from relaxed panels or faux Roman shades for kitchen windows to more formal drapery panels (on their
own or layered with sheers, valances, or cornices) for dining rooms.

PRO TIP: The right lining elevates every window treatment—both visually and functionally. Lining protects face fabric from UV damage, improves drape, controls light, dampens sound, and regulates temperature. Investing in proper lining extends the life of your window treatments significantly.

Popular requests: Designer prints and blackout-lining for curtains in master bedrooms • light-filtering linens for living room panels • performance linen fabrics for faux Roman shades on kitchen windows • fade resistant materials for layered window treatments in great rooms with strong sun exposure • coordinating fabrics for layered window treatments combining curtain panels with sheers or faux Roman shades for rooms needing both privacy and style

Need precise measurements for non-standard windows, bay windows, or unique window configurations?

→ In-Home Measuring & Design Consultation brings professional measuring to your NC Triad location.

Planning multiple updates within a single space or across multiple rooms?

→ Our Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services fabricates
throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions that integrate with existing décor and provide multi-room style blending.

Upholstery and seat cushion fabric decisions are the highest-stakes fabric choices in home décor. Unlike decorative pillows or bedding, upholstered pieces endure constant friction, weight, and contact—and reupholstering furniture and recovering cushions on chairs, bar stools, and benches requires more yardage and is significantly more labor-intensive than swapping pillow covers.

What is the best fabric for upholstery and seat cushions?

Durability ratings matter more here than anywhere else. Double rub counts measure how fabric holds up under repeated friction—3,000 double rubs equate to approximately one year of regular use.

Our real-world double rub recommendations based on 20+ years of client feedback run higher than industry minimums:

• • Accent chairs and occasional seating: 15,000-25,000 double rubs.

• • Sofas, sectionals, dining chairs, and banquettes: 25,000-30,000+

• • Active family rooms with kids and pets: 30,000+
  
  Performance fabrics like Crypton and Sunbrella at 50,000-100,000+ are our go-to favorites.

 
• Stain resistance is separate from durability.

• • For high-use seating where spills are inevitable, performance fabrics with fiber-level stain protection are essential.

• • A material can have impressive double rub counts and still be completely unsuitable for a family kitchen if it lacks stain-resistance.

• • The right fabric for kitchen dining chairs, bar stools, banquettes, and breakfast nook cushions doesn't just handle daily family meals—it encourages lingering.
  
  

 • Fade resistance is crucial for window seats and any upholstered pieces that are exposed to strong sunlight.

• • Most performance fabrics (including Crypton) are designed for indoor use and have no UV protection.
  
  
• • Indoor-outdoor fabrics like Crypton Outdoor, Sunbrella, Thibaut InsideOut provide both stain-resistance and fade-resistance.

• Breathability affects comfort, especially in warm climates.

• • Dense, coated materials can feel hot and sticky and even more so in humid conditions.
  
  
• • Natural fibers and many performance fabrics offer reasonable breathability—worth considering for daily-use seating in NC summers.

• Fabric and foam determine cushion comfort, durability, and longevity. Using the same fabric on both sides of loose cushions—top and bottom or front and back—allows rotation and flipping, which significantly extends their lifespan.

• • High-density foam (1.8-2.5 lbs/ft³) for daily-use seating and quick-dry antimicrobial foam for outdoor cushions are as important as fabric selection.

PRO TIP: For high-stakes upholstery
projects with significant yardage, rather than relying only on fabric swatches and the manufacturer’s specs, purchase a half yard or yard to test in your actual conditions before purchasing the full yardage needed. Sit on it, rub it vigorously to check for pilling, test stain resistance with common spills, check colorfastness, and observe how the color appears in the morning, midday, and evening. Knowing how fabric actually performs prevents spending significant money on 12 to 24 yards of material that won't hold up in your specific situation.

Popular requests: Durable fabric for seat cushions on kitchen banquettes and breakfast nooks with mix-and-match throw pillow sets • stain-resistant materials for dining chair covers • fade-resistant fabric for window seat cushions and furniture in sun-drenched rooms • outdoor fabrics like solution-dyed acrylic for patio cushions

Need precise measurements for custom seat cushions?

→ See our In-Home Measuring & Design Consultation—bay window seats, built-in banquettes, and non-standard furniture are exactly where in-home measuring matters most.

Looking for throw pillows or window treatments that coordinate with your seat cushions?

→ Our Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services fabricates
throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions that blend with your existing décor.

Outdoor fabric decisions have the highest performance stakes and the narrowest margin for error. Unlike interior applications where performance and aesthetics can be balanced with some flexibility, outdoor fabrics face UV exposure, moisture, humidity, and temperature swings that will quickly reveal whether a material was truly made for the conditions.

What is the best fabric for outdoor use?

• Solution-dyed acrylic—the material used in Sunbrella—and solution-dyed olefin, the primary fiber in Thibaut InsideOut, are our top choices for seat cushions and throw pillows used in full sun. Both use fiber-level treatment, meaning color, fade-resistance, and weather-resistance are integrated into the fiber's structure during manufacturing and won't wear or wash off. We've seen Sunbrella upholstery with quick-dry construction still in excellent condition with proper care after 7+ summers in North Carolina.

• Many of today's indoor-outdoor materials are surprisingly soft and sophisticated—not the stiff outdoor fabrics you might remember—and we use them often for indoor use due to their durability, fade-resistance, and
stain-resistance.

• Indoor-outdoor polyester fabrics, regardless of quality level, are not suitable for seat cushions. They rarely survive more than a season or two before pilling and fading become obvious. These are only for low-use decorative pillows in covered outdoor areas with limited sun exposure.

• Covered outdoor spaces—screened porches, covered patios and balconies, pergolas—have more flexibility for material selection. Unlike full sun use on decks and poolside, where our go-to fabric choice is solution-dyed acrylic, we also use Olefin and outdoor polyester in protected outdoor areas where sun exposure is limited.

• Acrylic, olefin, and polyester outdoor fabrics are highly resistant to mold, mildew, and microbes, allowing them to withstand wet and humid outdoor conditions. While the fabric fibers themselves have antimicrobial
properties, mold can still grow on dirt, body oils, and spilled food that
collect on the surface of the material. Routine brushing and spot-cleaning with mild soap and water keep the fabrics clean and free of mold and mildew over time. Solution-dyed materials can be safely cleaned with diluted bleach without degrading the fabric.

• Outdoor curtains for screened porches and covered outdoor entertaining spaces add privacy and sun management while extending your interior design story outdoors. First-quality acrylic outdoor fabric is the right choice. Since outdoor curtains are unlined and visible from both sides, fabric quality and construction details matter.

• Outdoor use requires quick-dry, antimicrobial dry fast foam (aka reticulated foam or open-cell outdoor foam) and pillow inserts with
non-woven polyester covers with synthetic filler.

• Climate-specific needs vary. Mountain properties with UV intensity at elevation, coastal properties with salt air and humidity, lakeside properties with high levels of moisture—each has specific performance requirements we account for.

PRO TIP: Outdoor fabric longevity is
significantly extended with proper care—bring cushions in during winter and severe weather, protect them from extended rain exposure, and clean promptly when needed. Even the best outdoor fabric performs better and lasts longer with reasonable protection from extended exposure.

Popular requests: Fade-resistant fabric for throw pillows on sunny decks and balconies • durable, quick dry outdoor materials for chaise cushions • outdoor curtain fabric for screened porches • weather-resistant materials for seat cushions on patio dining sets

Have a mountain, lake, or beach property with specific climate considerations?

→ We provide climate-specific recommendations for vacation rental properties and second homes. Schedule Fabric Consultation | Get in
Touch

Need precise measurements for custom indoor-outdoor cushions or unusual outdoor spaces?

→ Our In-Home Measuring & Design
Consultation service brings professional measuring directly to your NC Triad
location.

Need coordinating outdoor throw pillows for your custom patio cushions?

→ Our Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services fabricates
throw pillows, outdoor curtains, and new or replacement cushions for chaise
lounges, dining sets, and porch benches—turn your outdoor space into an
extension of your home.

Bringing your own fabric—called Customer's Own Material (COM) or customer supplied fabric in the design industry—is one of the most rewarding ways to work with us. Whether you've found a stunning high-end remnant,have yardage remaining from a previous project, inherited textiles with sentimental value, or purchased fabric elsewhere that you want transformed into custom home furnishings, we welcome it all.

Due to our proximity to the High Point Furniture Market, our area is uniquely saturated with luxury textiles, designer remnants, and end-of-bolt fabrics that would typically be restricted to trade professionals. Clients often find remnants, locally or online, at significant discounts from first-quality retail pricing. Remnants are particularly well-suited to throw pillows, accent pillows, bed runners, valances, cornices, and coordinating elements where modest yardage delivers real design impact.

Customer’s Own Material (COM) Evaluation

What we look for when you bring your materials:

• Suitability for your intended use—not just "can this be made into X" but "is this the right material for this application and how you’ll actually use it?" An striking animal print curtain-weight fabric may not survive as seat cushion covers. An intricately embroidered linen fabric may be better suited to a bolster pillow than a daily-use throw pillow where it will be handled or lean against frequently.

• Yardage sufficiency—including pattern repeat allowances, nap direction requirements, and realistic cutting layouts. We calculate usable yardage realistically, including whether any flaws or imperfections can be worked around and how much additional yardage that requires.

• Best use of what you have—sometimes the fabric you brought for pillows would make a greater impact as a bed runner or faux Roman shade. We assess holistically and tell you what we envision.

• Coordinating materials—if you need additional yardage or complementary fabric and trim, we can source them through our in-studio collection and trade-level connections.

On remnants specifically:
We use remnants frequently—both from our own sourcing and materials clients bring us. Designer remnants from High Point showrooms and online sources are a particular specialty. The creative challenge of maximizing limited yardage while maintaining pattern continuity and design integrity is something we've refined over 20+ years working with remnants.

On seconds:
We accept seconds and will assess them with an added level of scrutiny. Some seconds have isolated minor imperfections that can be worked around entirely—a dye variation along the selvage edge, a small flaw that falls in a seam allowance. Others have fundamental problems that compromise usability or performance. We'll tell you what we find, what’s feasible, and whether your fabric requires any adapted construction techniques that may result in additional labor charges—before any cutting or fabrication begins.

We decline fabrication more often than most clients expect when materials aren't suited to the intended use. Whenever we advise against fabrication, we explain why—and whenever alternative applications are possible, we suggest them. Fabric that won't work for seat cushions may be right for decorative throw pillows in a low-traffic space. Being rigorous and straightforward about what's feasible protects your time and resources as well as our reputation.

What Customer’s Own Material (COM) evaluation is your responsibility:
Before bringing or shipping materials to us or another fabricator, verify your purchases for accuracy—correct colorway, pattern, and yardage. Many fabricators check for major flaws but may miss ordering errors. When you provide your own materials, initial verification is yours to do. We conduct our own thorough assessment once materials arrive in our studio and communicate what we find before any cutting or fabrication begins.

Remote clients: We provide preliminary material assessment before shipping, then thorough evaluation once materials arrive in our studio.

PRO TIP: If you're considering a
significant fabric purchase—especially remnants or seconds—talk to us before you buy when possible. We can assess whether the yardage is sufficient, whether the quality level suits your intended use, and whether there's a better application for the material than what you're currently planning. This prevents the most common and costly COM mistake: buying fabric that won't work for your project.

→ Learn more about our COM services: Bring Your Own Fabric (consumer version) |
Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior Designers (trade version)

Popular requests: Designer remnant throw pillows • repurposed vintage textile accent pillows • sentimental materials transformed into heirloom pieces • leftover drapery yardage remade into coordinating bed skirts or bed runners

Important Note on Material Liability: While we handle all materials with professional care, we cannot be held liable for damage to Customer's Own Materials during assessment, fabrication, or storage. We advise insuring valuable or irreplaceable materials before shipping or bringing them to our studio. This is industry-standard practice for Customer’s Own Material (COM) services.

Here's what happens when we work together—and how our fabric strategy and focus on fabric suitability and performance evaluation differs from what most fabric stores, workrooms, upholsterers, online resources, and even many interior designers and decorators provide.

Project Exploration: Understanding How You Actually Live

We don't start with fabric—we start with questions. Through conversation, we explore where and how materials will be used, who uses each space, and how new home furnishings need to integrate with existing décor.

• • When you tell us "I need fabric for throw pillows for my great room sofa," we ask if this is your main family room and do kids, pets, and the whole family lounge on that sofa daily? And we ask about your décor— what colors and patterns you're currently using, in furniture as well as rugs and artwork and which ones we want to build on?
  
  
• • When you ask about “choosing fabric for custom bedding and window treatments,” we discuss sleep preferences, existing furniture, sun exposure, and whether blackout curtains or gentle light-filtering sheers are needed.
  
  
• • When you want "fabric for patio cushions," we want to know whether these cushions will be used on a covered or screened porch or be exposed to direct sun, if you plan to bring them in during inclement weather, and whether you prefer firm support or sink-in comfort.

These conversations guide our choices because fabric that wears well in a low-use space with minimal sun exposure may fail quickly in a high-traffic room with strong afternoon sun. And what initially appeals may not be right for your long-term décor plans.

Evaluating Materials for Best Use, Not Just Feasibility

"Can I use this fabric for my project?",
"What's the right fabric for throw pillows, curtains, cushion covers, or upholstery?", and "Which fabric will actually perform best for my lifestyle?”—we hear these questions regularly.

The answers always depend on:

• • The specific fabric—hand-feel, fiber content, weight, drape, durability, and performance features

• • How you'll use what’s being made—daily functional use vs. decorative accent pieces
  
  
• • Where you'll use what’s being made—outdoors vs. indoors vs. indoors with strong sun exposure
  
  

We evaluate every fabric—whether we're sourcing it or you're bringing it—holistically, considering whether it's right for your intended project and how you'll actually use it.

Both local and remote clients can use our Digital Mock-ups service to see fabric selections (as well as pillow arrangement options) in photos of your actual space. Choosing fabrics, determining pillow sizes and shapes, deciding how many pillows to use, and figuring out how to arrange pillows on a sofa, sectional, or bed is easier when you can visualize the options in your room.

Customer's Own Material (COM) Evaluation

 We assess any fabric, trims, pillow inserts, or cushion foam you already have for suitability—not just "can this be made into X" but "is this the best use of your material?" For existing inserts or foam you want to repurpose, we assess remaining lifespan and whether sizing and density still suit your intended use.

→ See Customer’s Own Materials (COM): Have Home Furnishings Made with Your Own Fabric above

→ Learn about: Bring Your Own Fabric and COM Services for Interior Designers

Pattern Placement & Fabric Yield Optimization

Whether we're sourcing materials or evaluating what you bring us, we consider how pattern placement, pillow quantities and arrangement, and underlying elements work together to create the results you're envisioning.

Our pattern placement planning considers:

• • Pillow arrangements with varying pattern proportion (large-scale vs. small-scale), color balance (dominant vs. accent), and texture mixing (smooth vs. nubby)
  
  
• • Window treatments and bedding with meticulously aligned patterns that flow across seams—making joins disappear

• • Centered or waterfall-matched cushions—ensuring uniform
  patterns across all seating
  
  
• • Coordinating items across different pieces in the same room

Fabric yield optimization provides the best use of your yardage without sacrificing aesthetics—whether working with remnants, our in-studio collection, or materials we source. We always calculate yardage generously, account for pattern repeat size and direction, consider both vertical and horizontal repeats, and plan for excess to avoid running short.

How to Match Home Décor Fabrics to Your Interior Design Style

Throughout your home pattern mixing, color coordination, texture considerations matter across all different types of materials and applications and this is especially true with fabrics and the home furnishings made with them.

Throw pillows are an easy way to change things up, provide a little whimsy, or create a feeling of connection. We consider existing throw pillow combinations and what we might tweak to improve their contribution to the overall style (and comfort) of a room.

Throw Pillow Sizing & Styling below gives you a glimpse into how we create throw pillow combinations.
→ Go deeper with our
Pillow Sizing & Arrangement Guides and Pillow Styling Blog Posts.

For bedding projects, we discuss how pieces coordinate—duvet covers, bed skirts, bed runners, and Euro shams—and how new bedding integrates with existing pillows, window treatments, and décor. And if there’s an en suite bathroom, we explore how to blend colors and pattern across the two spaces with custom shower curtains and faux Roman shades.

For window treatments, we consider functional requirements—light control, privacy, temperature regulation, draft control, and sound dampening alongside aesthetic goals. For custom curtains, we confirm measurements, pleat style, lining type, and hardware before fabric is ordered and fabrication begins. Similarly, for top treatments we adjust recommendations for valances, cornices, and different types of soft shades and confirm all the necessary specifics from measurements to lining and mounting techniques.

For seat cushions, we confirm dimensions, foam specifications, construction details—including fabric orientation (railroaded or standard up the roll), pattern placement, and whether cushions will be reversible.

For us, interior design doesn't stop at the door. We consider porches, patios, balconies, and decks as natural extensions of indoor living spaces—and we're emphatic that indoor fabrics don't belong outdoors, even in protected spaces like screened porches. We've seen too many indoor fabrics fade and deteriorate in spaces with strong sun exposure, whether indoors or out. Today's indoor-outdoor fabrics have evolved dramatically in hand-feel along with pattern and texture variety—which is why we recommend them for interior use as often as we do for outdoor spaces.

Throw Pillow Sizing & Styling

We don't just make individual pillows—we build pillow arrangements.

This means understanding:

• • How many pillows and what sizes to use on your specific furniture—loveseats, sofas, sectionals, accent chairs, and beds all have different requirements
  
  
• • Pattern proportions, color balance, and texture mixing that creates intentional looks rather than random collections
  
  
• • Corner placement for L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals
  
  
• • Layered bed arrangements—from minimalist three-pillow setups to hotel-style arrangements

→ See our Pillow Sizing & Arrangement Guides and Pillow Styling Blog Posts for advice tailored to your specific furniture.

Pillow Insert & Cushion Foam Recommendations

 The right insert and foam are as important as choosing the right fabric. We provide recommendations and specifications. You can purchase pillow inserts and cushion foam through us or source independently.

Pillow Inserts

Your pillow's function drives insert decisions:

• • Frequently used throw pillows need firmer inserts for comfort and less frequent fluffing
  
  
• • Outdoor pillows require non-woven polyester covers with synthetic filler—cotton and natural fillers promote mildew
  
  
• • Guest bedrooms and shared living spaces benefit from hypoallergenic synthetic down alternatives
  
  
• • Euros on oversized sofas often need more supportive inserts than Euro shams on a bed

We typically recommend inserts 2-4 inches larger than pillow covers for that plump, designer appearance and iconic karate chop.

→ See our Pillow Insert Type Guide | Pillow Cover & Insert Sizing Recommendations

Cushion Foam

Function, location, and frequency of use determine foam type:

• • High-traffic seating: High-density foam (1.8-2.5 lbs/ft³) for durability
  
  
• • Occasional-use cushions: Plush comfort foam matched to your preference
  
  
• • Outdoor use: Quick-dry, antimicrobial dry-fast foam
  (open-cell outdoor foam)

Located in or visiting the NC Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point)?

Collaborate with Us In-Person | Shop Designer Fabrics & Custom Throw
Pillows at Our Greensboro Studio

Local clients have access to the full range of what we offer—in-studio fabric browsing with expert guidance, hands-on Customer’s Own Material (COM) evaluation, pillow and insert testing, in-person fabric and design consultations, and all fabrication services.

• • Browse our in-studio curated collection of designer materials, high-end embroidered linen fabrics, statement prints, performance and outdoor fabrics—plus decorative trims, colorful throw blankets, and our entire selection of handcrafted throw pillows, pillow covers, and pillow inserts
  
  
• • Shop designer throw pillow covers not yet listed in our online collection or available elsewhere and collaborate with our pillow designer to build mix-and-match throw pillow combinations
  
  
• • Try Before You Buy: Take our in-stock throw pillows, pillow covers, and throw blankets home on 24-Hour Approval—exclusively available to in-studio shoppers—to see how they look in your own lighting, with your furniture and existing décor, before you buy
  
  
• • Use our optional Digital Mock-ups service to see mock-ups of fabric selections and pillow arrangement options in photos of your actual space—particularly beneficial for visualizing fabric combinations and pillow arrangements with existing décor

• • Bring any fabrics, trims, inserts, or foam for in-studio COM evaluation and assessment during your Discovery Meeting
  
  
• • Access our In-Home Measuring & Design Consultation service (available throughout the NC Triad) when your project benefits from professional on-site measuring—unusual windows, built-in seating, or custom bedding where exact dimensions matter
  
  
• • Gain full access to our custom home furnishing fabrication services for made-to-order throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions

• • Design Chat events—periodic in-person gatherings providing insider design secrets and tips plus Q&A sessions where you can get advice, see new arrivals, and connect with other decorating enthusiasts.
  → Join our insider list for early invitations to Design Chats at our Greensboro studio

→ Schedule Studio Visit or Consultation

Learn about: Discovery Meeting | Personal Shopping Appointment | Bring Your Own Fabric | Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior Designers | In-Home Measuring & Design
Consultation | Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services

Live outside the NC Triad area?

Work with Us Remotely: Collaborate with Us Virtually | Gain Access to Our Designer Fabrics & Custom Throw Pillows

Distance doesn't compromise our collaborative process—it just changes how we work together. Remote clients receive the same focused attention and fabric strategy expertise through a process designed for confident decision-making from anywhere. Access to our in-studio fabric and throw pillow collection and extensive sourcing network is available to remote clients—whether you have a specific color or pattern in mind or need guidance on what your room needs.

Remote clients have full access to our in-studio fabric and throw pillow collection, extensive sourcing network, Customer's Own Material (COM) evaluation, virtual fabric and design consultations, and many of our fabrication services.

Many of our local clients are second-home owners furnishing beach, mountain, or lake properties—and we've refined our remote consultation process through years of working with them across distances.

How remote collaboration and virtual access to our in-studio fabric and custom throw pillow collection works:

• Initial consultation via video or phone—we discuss your project scope, lifestyle requirements, and fabric needs in detail before any plans, selections, or decisions are made

• Virtual access to our in-studio collection of designer materials, high-end embroidered linen fabrics, statement prints, performance and outdoor fabrics—plus decorative trims, colorful throw blankets, and our entire selection of handcrafted throw pillows, pillow covers, and pillow inserts

 • Access designer throw pillow covers not yet listed in our online collection—and collaborate with our pillow designer virtually to build cohesive, mix-and-match throw pillow combinations

• Fabric swatches by mail when available (nominal fee applies)—check hand-feel and see materials in your actual lighting with your existing décor. For sizeable projects, large patterns, and distinctive colors and textures, we encourage purchasing a sample yard rather than relying on a small swatch alone.

• Color-matching alternatives when fabric swatches aren't possible—we provide Sherwin-Williams paint color references when sample yardage
isn't available as is the case for limited-availability fabrics, special-order materials, or when we have minimal yardage remaining.

• Digital Mock-ups—optional service that creates digital mock-ups of fabric selections and pillow arrangement options in photos of your actual space, removing guesswork from decisions about fabric combinations, pillow quantities and sizing, and coordination with existing décor

• Preliminary Customer’s Own Material (COM) assessment before you ship your materials—we provide detailed guidance on what to check and measure before sending any Customer's Own Materials to our studio, then conduct our own thorough evaluation once materials arrive

• What we fabricate remotely: Primarily throw pillows and smaller home furnishings that ship safely. Larger items—window treatments, seat cushions for built-in spaces—are typically available for local pickup only. We'll confirm what's feasible for your specific project when we connect.

→ Schedule Fabric or Design Consultation

Learn about: Bring Your Own Fabric | Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior Designers | Handcrafted Custom Home
Furnishings Design Services

What to send before your remote consultation:→ See Working with Us Remotely section of Schedule a Studio Visit or Consultation for a full list—photos, paint colors, measurements, and details on any materials you already have.

Who We Work With

Melissa Creech Designs, based in the NC Triad, is your local custom pillow maker and fabric consultant. We handcraft throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions for how you live. Whether you need fabric consultation, custom throw pillows, or a fresh look using your own fabric—Customer’s Own Materials (COM), we provide a personalized, hands-on design experience. We've partnered with some clients for 15 to 20 years—often starting with a single item like throw pillows, a bed skirt, blackout panels, or patio cushions, then progressing to multi-element projects as their homes and lives evolve. As a boutique studio, we accept a limited number of consultation bookings to ensure personalized attention for every client. Clients come back or begin planning their next project before completing the current one because they appreciate our holistic design approach, know we listen, and that we’re here for them. We’re an active design and planning partner—available for quick questions, in-studio shopping, or collaboration on projects of all sizes.

While serving Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, the greater NC Triad and beyond, we've become the go-to custom pillow maker and fabric consultant for clients who want strategic fabric guidance, not just exceptional craftsmanship.

Individual Clients & Homeowners

Whether you're refreshing your primary residence, creating a welcoming retreat for relaxation, preparing for seasonal entertaining, getting outdoor spaces guest-ready, or helping a young adult furnish their first home—we source materials that work for how you actually live.

Second-Home & Vacation Property Owners

Clients furnishing beach houses, mountain retreats, or lakeside properties need materials that handle humidity, sun exposure, and seasonal use while maintaining sophisticated style. We specialize in indoor-outdoor fabrics that look refined and perform exceptionally—and we understand climate-specific performance requirements for properties in different regions.

Interior Designers & Design Professionals

We work alongside interior designers throughout North Carolina and beyond as a fabric strategy and workroom partner—providing trade-level sourcing support, COM evaluation, and fabrication that supports your client projects and design vision.

→ Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior Designers | Designer Trade Program

Consultation Pricing

All consultation services are priced by time spent, ensuring you receive the level of service your project requires while maintaining cost transparency.

Discovery Meetings and Personal Shopping Appointments are in-studio
appointments with Melissa—the first 30 minutes are complimentary; if the
conversation naturally expands into detailed recommendations, sourcing, design planning, or fabric evaluation, we'll let you know when we're moving into consultation time—billed at our standard consultation rate. We always check in before continuing so there are no surprises.

Consultation-Only Pricing

Our fabric and design consultation services are available whether we're fabricating the finished pieces or not. If you're working with another craftsperson, upholsterer, or handling a DIY project, our fabric consultation service provides fabric suitability and selection guidance,
sourcing support, and Customer’s Own Material (COM) evaluation billed at our
standard consultation rate. Similarly, our design consultation service provides
comprehensive project planning and in-depth design development.

Materials Pricing

Fabrics, trims, and other materials are sold separately and are not included in consultation fees. We can handle all ordering and logistics or provide detailed sourcing information for you to purchase independently.

Fabrication Pricing

When we're handling fabrication, we provide detailed, transparent quotes covering:

• • All materials—fabric, trim, pillow inserts, cushion foam, and/or drapery lining—with accurate yardage requirements

• • Clear labor pricing for all construction and finishing
  details
  
  
• • Any fabric and/or design consultation or materials sourcing service fees, listed separately

• • Realistic timelines that account for material lead times and our current workload

Planning Ahead

We accept a limited number of consultation bookings to ensure personalized attention for every client. For projects with specific seasonal timing or upcoming events, we recommend scheduling your initial consultation 3-6 months in advance—both for our availability and for material lead times outside our control.

→ See How to Start a Fabric Consultation: Step-by-Step above for typical material lead time details.

Our Greensboro studio is one of the few remaining places in Greensboro to shop designer home décor fabric and handcrafted throw pillows in person—with someone who can tell you what will actually work for your home.

When Aubrey Home and several local fabric retailers closed in 2024, we became one of the few sources for quality home décor fabric and custom
throw pillows in Greensboro. Clients travel from throughout the Triad—Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point—and find the personalized
experience worth the trip.

 
In our Greensboro studio you'll find:

• Hundreds of home décor fabrics—performance options, luxury
embroidered linens, indoor-outdoor fabrics, and designer prints from brands including Schumacher, Brunschwig & Fils, Crypton, Sunbrella, Thibaut InsideOut, Covington, Fabricut, Hamilton, Kravet, Magnolia, P/Kaufmann, Regal, Stout, and Waverly

• Handcrafted throw pillows and pillow covers not yet listed in our online collection or available anywhere else

• Decorative trims and colorful throw blankets as well as down alternative and feather down pillow inserts

• 24-Hour Approval on in-stock pillows, pillow covers, and throw blankets—take them home to see how they look in your lighting, on your furniture, and with your existing décor before you buy. Exclusively available to in-studio shoppers

Available by appointment. The exact studio address is provided once your appointment is confirmed.

→ Schedule Personal Shopping Appointment | Studio Visit

 → Read Blog Post:
Why Our Best Client Experiences Happen in the Studio

Can't visit in person?

→ Browse our online designer throw pillow cover collection— new listings coming soon 

→ Get in Touch—we work with clients remotely nationwide

A Discovery Meeting is our complimentary 30-minute in-studio
appointment—focused on fabric browsing, project discussion, and quick Customer’s Own Material (COM) evaluation. It's the right starting point for most NC Triad clients.

A Fabric Consultation: Selection, Sourcing & Strategy is a paid service for projects requiring more time—sourcing beyond our in-studio collection, detailed fabric planning across multiple elements, or comprehensive fabric strategy for significant purchases. If your Discovery Meeting naturally expands into this territory, we'll let you know before we continue.

Not sure which fits? A Discovery Meeting is almost always the right starting point—it gives us a chance to understand your needs and direct you to whatever comes next.

→ Learn about: Discovery Meeting | Personal Shopping Appointment

Discovery Meetings and Personal Shopping Appointments are complimentary for the first 30 minutes.

Fabric and design consultations are billed at our standard consultation rate.

Fabrics, trims, and other materials are sold separately and are not included in consultation fees.

→ See Consultation, Materials &
Fabrication Pricing above for full details.

Yes. While in-studio fabric browsing is available locally, we provide fabric and design consultation and material sourcing services for clients throughout North Carolina and beyond. Remote clients work with us through video or phone consultation, fabric swatches by mail, Digital Mock-ups, and preliminary Customer’s Own Material (COM) assessment before shipping materials to us.

 For fabrication, we primarily ship throw pillows and smaller home furnishings nationwide. Larger items are typically available for NC Triad clients.

→ See Working with Us Locally & Remotely above for full details on our remote collaboration process.

Browse our online designer throw pillow cover collection— new listings coming soon. What's possible is much broader than what you see online—our collection represents a sampling of nearly 1,000 handcrafted pillow options from our current in-studio fabric collection, and that's just pillows. We also fabricate custom bedding, window treatments, and seat cushions.

Our optional [Digital Mock-ups] show fabric selections and pillow arrangements in photos of your actual space—a useful tool for seeing possibilities before ordering.

For pillow covers not yet listed online or access to our designer fabric collection, Get in Touch—we likely have what you're looking for or something similar and can share options virtually.

Yes—our fabric consultation service is available regardless of who's handling fabrication. Whether you're working with another craftsperson, an upholsterer, or tackling a DIY project, we provide fabric suitability evaluation, yardage calculations, sourcing support, and Customer's Own Material (COM) assessment.

This is particularly useful for:

• Getting a second opinion on fabric choices before purchasing fabric for high-traffic areas, spaces with strong sun-exposure, projects requiring a significant yardage

• Evaluating fabric before a significant purchase—especially high-end fabrics, large yardages, materials with large pattern repeats, remnants where yardage requires careful assessment, or seconds where quality requires careful assessment

• Sourcing specific materials through our trade-level connections when retail options don't meet your needs

• Understanding performance requirements for your specific
application before buying

Consultation services are billed at our standard rate and do not include material costs or fabrication.

→ See Consultation, Materials & Fabrication Pricing above.

Retail fabric stores carry a sampling of patterns from popular lines—what sells well to a broad consumer base. Trade-level access opens a significantly wider range: designer collections not available to the general public, professional-grade performance fabrics, specialty textiles from High Point showrooms, and options with minimum order requirements that make them inaccessible for individual purchases.

Practically, this means access to materials like full Schumacher and Brunschwig & Fils collections rather than select retail offerings, performance options at commercial specifications, and specialty imported fabrics that require trade relationships to source.

Our clients benefit from the expanded choices trade-level access provides plus we handle sourcing, ordering, and logistics.

Yes—multi-room coordination is one of the more complex fabric challenges, and one we particularly enjoy. Connected spaces like open floor plan great rooms, master bedroom and en suite bathrooms, or indoor and outdoor living areas need fabrics that flow together without being identical or too matchy-matchy.

We consider how colors, patterns, and textures blend across connected spaces—layering and building variety and visual interest while maintaining a sense of intentional design throughout. This includes coordinating new purchases with existing furnishings you want to keep, planning for future phases so today's choices don't conflict with tomorrow's updates, and identifying where repetition creates cohesion vs. where it creates monotony.

For clients planning updates across multiple rooms, scheduling a consultation early—before purchasing any fabric—prevents the most common coordination mistake: buying fabrics individually that don't work together as a whole.

We balance beauty with functionality when choosing fabrics by evaluating both together rather than trading one for the other.

The questions we ask are:

• • Where will this fabric be used? Inside or outside, in a high-traffic area with kids and pets, in a room with strong sun exposure?
  
  
• • How will it be used? To make throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, cushions, or upholstered pieces?
  
  
• • What colors, patterns, and textures are already there? Is this fabric meant to blend in, make a statement, or pull the whole room together?

The answers tell us where and how this fabric needs to perform and what performance actually means in that specific location.

A stunning embroidered linen that would pick and pill within months on a family room sofa can last many years as a guest bedroom Euro sham that's handled infrequently. A cut velvet that’s impractical for a kitchen banquette is completely appropriate for a formal living room accent pillow.

Performance requirements aren't universal—they're specific to where and how a piece will actually be used.

Where functionality and beauty genuinely conflict, we suggest alternatives that deliver similar aesthetic impact with appropriate performance characteristics.

This is exactly the kind of conversation we have at our Design Chat events at our Greensboro studio—pattern mixing, fabric performance, and when to prioritize style vs. function.

→ Join our insider list for early invites and event announcements.

Looking for a fabric that balances beauty with functionality? Tell us how you plan to use it and where it will live, and we’ll recommend the right fabric for your space.

→ Get in Touch | Schedule Discovery Meeting or Fabric Consultation

We assess fabric suitability realistically—and when something won’t work as you’d planned, we explain why and suggest alternatives that achieve your vision with the functionality you need. Sometimes that means a different fabric with similar aesthetic qualities. Sometimes it means a different application—fabric that isn't right for dining chair seats might be appropriate for a bed runner or accent pillows in a low-traffic space. A fabric's fiber content, weight, and durability rating all determine how it feels and drapes as
well as how it wears over time. Our recommendations come from fabricating thousands of pieces for diverse real-world situations—we know what works, what doesn't, and we tell you about any fabric suitability issues before any materials are cut.

The best time to evaluate fabric suitability is before you buy.