Upholstery
Which DTY yarn is best for upholstery?
Reviewed by Mohamed Rizk, Head of Production Engineering, 20+ years at Al Rawda. Last updated
Quick answer
Upholstery fabrics are typically made from medium to heavy DTY, roughly 150D to 600D: about 150D to 300D for lighter upholstery and decorative fabrics, 300D to 600D for furniture coverings, and 450D to 600D for contract seating. For weaving, a higher intermingling level (HIM) is common, and recovery of shape matters more than stretch.
Upholstery is where our family began: Al Rawda grew out of El Saadany Co. for Upholstery Textile, founded in Heliopolis in 1957 to make curtains, velvet and jacquard fabrics. These are general guides to choosing DTY for upholstery, and our sales team can advise on your own fabric.
Denier by type of upholstery
Light upholstery and decorative fabrics
- Typical denier:
- 150D – 300D
- Why:
- Soft handle with enough body
Furniture coverings
- Typical denier:
- 300D – 600D
- Why:
- Thicker and more hard-wearing
Contract seating
- Typical denier:
- 450D – 600D
- Why:
- Built to resist heavy wear
| Fabric | Typical denier | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light upholstery and decorative fabrics | 150D – 300D | Soft handle with enough body |
| Furniture coverings | 300D – 600D | Thicker and more hard-wearing |
| Contract seating | 450D – 600D | Built to resist heavy wear |
Why use DTY for upholstery?
The textured structure gives bulk and a soft, warm handle, and heavier deniers add strength and abrasion resistance. That combination suits fabrics that are sat on, rubbed and cleaned for years.
Is DTY stretch a problem for upholstery?
A little give adds comfort, and what matters is how well the fabric recovers its shape. That depends on the yarn and on how the fabric is constructed, so judge it on a sample woven the way you will weave it. Our samples are free.
Which intermingling for weaving upholstery fabric?
HIM is common because its many nodes keep the filaments together on the loom, especially for warp ends without sizing. SIM suits general weaving and knitting. See the NIM, SIM and HIM guide for the details.
DTY or ATY for upholstery?
ATY is air-textured and gives the softest, most cotton-like loops. DTY is firmer and more widely used for upholstery. If you want the softest possible hand, ask us about your fabric before choosing.
How do I order DTY for upholstery?
Tell us the fabric you are making, then the denier and filament count, the intermingling, the lustre, the colour and the quantity. There is no minimum order: one cone is fine.