African print fabric may suit a decorative cushion or light-use accent, but furniture upholstery asks more of cloth. Decide how the piece will be used and request performance information before covering a chair or sofa.

Fabrics USA Inc. has a wide African print collection and African fabric collection. Our published fabric buying guide discusses project matching broadly. This checklist is for deciding whether an individual fabric can handle a specific furnishing project.

Keep this checklist handy

• Decorative cushion — Can the cover be cleaned as intended?.
• Occasional accent piece — Is the fabric stable under the planned tension?.
• Frequently used seat — Is there verified abrasion and cleaning information?.

Name the project and its use

A removable cushion cover, occasional bench, and family sofa are not the same assignment. Tell the upholsterer how often the piece will be used, whether it sits in direct sunlight, and how you expect to clean it. Ask them which performance specifications they need for that use.

The table is not an approval for any specific product. If a listing lacks the needed performance data, do not invent it from fiber content or appearance.

Ask for the right facts

Record the chosen fabric's composition, usable width, care instructions, and any documented durability rating. Ask how the print handles seam joins and whether it is directional. For an upholstered seat, the upholsterer may also ask about rub testing, backing, and colorfastness. Confirm what is available for the exact item.

If the store cannot provide a rating required for the job, choose another fabric with documented upholstery suitability. You can still use the print for a removable cushion, panel, or other lower-stress accent if its care and construction suit that project.

Plan the print and yardage

Large motifs need intentional placement on a seat and back. Draw the furniture as separate panels, then mark the print direction and the point where you want the motif centered. Add the actual repeat allowance to the upholsterer's yardage calculation.

The upholsterer should calculate from the selected fabric's width and the furniture's dimensions. A generic cushion estimate will not cover a chair's arms, piping, or matching across several panels.

Before ordering, get the fabric choice and yardage approved by the person who will do the upholstery. That final check protects both the design and the practical use of the finished piece.