Good Questions: Sources for Sturdy, Whimsical Fabric?

Sharon has a question for the Ohdeedoh crowd: Fabric advice for rocker? We're expecting a baby boy in January and I am working on the nursery. I bought a rocker on Ebay - mid century with wood arms/rockers and am looking for some stellar large print upholstery fabric - wacky, whimisical, colorful...

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
nursery(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Nothing at Ikea or Zarin - and Josef Frank (again) is out of the budget. The image is of some embroidered fabric I bought in Mexico - love the idea, but it's embroidery on muslin - not sturdy enough - and I'm looking for something with more colors to establish a color palette for the whole room. I'm in New York - any shops here or other online sources...

We know that the Ohdeedoh readers are a talented bunch when it comes to DIY...can anyone help out with some suggestions for Sharon? Let her know in the comments below...thanks!

Comments (13)

I'd go to Mood in midtown (yes, it's the store they use on Project Runway). They have a floor downstairs that's mostly upholstery fabrics. There might be something fun there. B&J in the same neighborhood has some great fabrics, but they can be pricier. Basically, if you go to 38-40th Streets, between 7th and 8th, you'll find a bunch of fabric stores. Some of the smaller ones might have something good, too.
You can also try downtown in the lower eastside at upholstery stores like Harry Zarin.

posted by mirnada on November 3rd 2008 at 8:38am
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I have the same dilemna!
Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of living in NYC with all those great stores.
Anyone have some good online options?
If money's no object, rubiegreen.com.
I also found some at Duckcloth.com.au that are amazing, not sure of the shipping costs though. And they're still not quite what I"m looking for - something big and graphic and bright.

posted by posa on November 3rd 2008 at 8:56am
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jcarolinecreative.com has lots of lovely prints and not too expensive...you could also try marimekko

posted by hydeparkmum on November 3rd 2008 at 9:06am
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I almost forgot, if you're a more creative type, you can create your own print at www.spoonflower.com.
No minimums, affordable. I haven't used them before, but it looks pretty great. I'm actually thinking of going this route, but sometimes the hardest thing to do as a designer is to design for yourself....

posted by posa on November 3rd 2008 at 9:12am
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Little off topic - but has anyone purchase the Marimekko oilcloths ? Does anyone know of a retail store in San Francisco that carries them ?

posted by urboo on November 3rd 2008 at 9:44am
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For online shoppers, try http://reprodepotfabrics.com/fabrics.html. They have wonderful patterns, nicely organized, and not too overwhelming with choices.

posted by heja on November 3rd 2008 at 9:58am
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also, check out "stockholm" in cherry from calico corners modern fabrics range

posted by hydeparkmum on November 3rd 2008 at 9:58am
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Heja I was also going to recommend Reprodepot. I love their stuff.

Here is the link for their heavier cloth
http://reprodepot.com/barkcloth.html

They also carry the Marimekko oilcloth

posted by javagrrrl on November 3rd 2008 at 10:02am
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I like to look on ebay. Here is something similar to your fabric by Robert Kaufman: http://cgi.ebay.com/Funky-Fabrix-RETRO-FABRIC-HOT-COUTURIER-FLORENTINE-FQ_W0QQitemZ310095653781QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310095653781&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14. I also like to search for Alexander Henry, Amy Butler, and Heather Bailey fabrics. They seem to have a lot of nice, funky fabrics.

posted by VZoom on November 3rd 2008 at 11:30am
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I'm not in NY but I have ordered some great fabric from Purl in Soho on their website, http://www.purlsoho.com/purl , and would assume the store has a good selection too. And I second reprodepot, great fabrics there too.

posted by aaacoba on November 3rd 2008 at 11:36am
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Oh, and add 1154 Lill Studio, they are a handbag company but do sell their own fun fabrics, http://www.1154lill.com/fabricsales/ourfabricspallete_kc.asp, and drool worthy Modern Fabrics, http://www.modern-fabrics.com/, are some other good sources.

posted by aaacoba on November 3rd 2008 at 11:49am
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Uh, sorry about the previous two links, in my typing frenzy I added a comma to the end of each link.

posted by aaacoba on November 3rd 2008 at 12:09pm
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I recently upholstered two chairs for our dining room in the Alexander Henry Fabric "Leo". Throughout the process several people asked if I was going to put them in our nursery. A lot of his fabrics are large, graphic, whimsical and printed on heavy canvas.

I bought the fabric I used on ...

http://www.buyfabricsonline.com/?gclid=CMjX9d7025YCFRs-awod5yh22w

Good luck!

posted by megant on November 4th 2008 at 6:13am
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