Choosing the Right Fabric for Your DIY Projects: Why Fabric Swatches & Sample Books Are Essential
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Fabric Swatches for Every DIY Project
When shopping for fabric online, it can be difficult to get a true sense of a fabric’s color, texture and pattern. Ordering fabric swatches is an affordable way to experience the fabric in person before you start sewing. Sailrite offers thousands of high-quality fabrics, and we cut samples of every fabric we stock.
While you might be familiar with memo samples (pieces cut directly from the roll of fabric you plan to use), we provide samples that represent the fabric’s appearance and texture accurately. Since most fabrics we offer have little to no color shift, our samples are a reliable match for the yardage you’ll receive.
What to Expect from Sailrite Fabric Swatches
We make sure our fabric swatches are large enough to be helpful, with the following sizes:
- Solid and patterned fabrics: 6" x 6" swatches
- Striped fabrics: 3" x 12" swatches (to showcase the stripe repeat)
- Some rare fabrics (mostly solids): 4" x 4" swatches
You can order as many samples as you like and compare them side-by-side to find the best match for your project. If you’re considering a fabric with a larger pattern or print, we recommend ordering multiple samples of the same fabric for a better understanding of the design. Alternatively, you can purchase a yard of fabric to see the complete pattern repeat.
Fabric Swatch Books: Convenient Groupings of Fabrics
For those who need a larger variety of colors or patterns, Sailrite offers fabric swatch books from some of our most popular fabric brands, including Sattler®, Outdura®, Top Notch®, Morbern®, Top Gun® and Phifertex®. These sample books are a convenient way to view multiple fabrics in one place, saving you time compared to ordering individual swatches.
We also offer our own Sailrite-branded fabric books. For instance, the Sailrite® Sample Book for Cover & Top Fabrics contains samples of marine and outdoor fabrics ideal for boat covers, dodgers, biminis, patio furniture covers, auto covers, RV covers and more. It’s the perfect tool to help you choose the best fabric for your marine or outdoor project.
Exclusive Fabric Sample Books
Two of our most exclusive lines, EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Vinyl and Nook™ Indoor Faux Leather, also have their own sample books. These books include every fabric option from each line, so you can experience the texture, color and feel of these fabrics up close to ensure the perfect match for your project.
Ordering Fabric Samples & Getting Them Fast
When you find a fabric you like on our website, simply click the “Order Sample” icon below the product name. The price and sample size will be listed for your convenience. We stock all of our samples at our Indiana warehouse, so they are always available and ready to ship. No matter how many samples you need, we’ll ensure they arrive quickly and securely.
Final Thoughts
At Sailrite, we are committed to making your DIY projects as successful and stress-free as possible. With our wide range of fabric swatches and sample books, you can easily find the perfect material for any project. And if you’re also working on upholstery or cushion-making, consider ordering our Foam Sample Box, which includes samples of every foam type we offer along with polyester batting, silk film and a helpful guide.
By ordering fabric samples and foam samples together, you can experience both products' look and feel, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your next custom cushion or upholstery project. We’re here to support your DIY dreams every step of the way!
