One of our favorite vintage, mid-century style upholstery fabrics is what I believe was called a “frieze” — prounced “free-zay”. Definition found by Susan:
- Frieze – a pile surface of uncut loops or of patterned cut and uncut loops.
Typically (from what I *think* I’ve seen and read) frieze was done in a single field of color, like in all those old Kroehler sofas — see photo after the jump.
Another popular upholstery fabric was a “boucle”. Gavin pointed this one out:
- Boucle — a fabric of uneven yarn that has an uneven knobby effect
In either case the real popper was when there was a gold thread running through the upholstery fabric. We also saw this gold-thread effect in drapery fabrics like the gorgeous vintage Waverly barkcloth “Spring Frolic”, and my vintage Waverly “Las Vegas” cloth “Caprice.” When I was reupholstering my two vintage Baker loveseats about five years ago, I looked in about 2,698 fabric books to see if I could find something to replicate the vintage frieze or boucle look – alas, not. Now, I’ve just heard from reader Cliff, who points to three glittery boucles from Beacon Hill that might just do the trick.
Cliff wrote:
Here are a few fabrics that have the “sparkly” threads running through them that I think you are looking for:
Manufacturer: Beacon Hill
Pattern Name: Flashpoint [update: discontinued, but I’ll leave this here for historical reference – Pam]
Colors: Beige Shimmer, Copper, and SilverscreenManufacturer: Maxwell
Pattern Name: Indulgence – Smokescreen [update: website behind a password now, but I’ll leave this here for historical reference – Pam]
Color: #50 TreasureThe glittery threads don’t necessarily show up too well in the online photos, but I got swatches of all of these and they definitely sparkle. Covered 2 lounge chairs in the Flashpoint “Beige Shimmer” and they look great.
Readers, these fabrics do not appear to be cheap. I found Flashpoint online at some discount fabric stores, and the cost was more than $100 per yard — which is not unusual, I believe, for a high-quality upholstery material. Idea: When I had my loveseats reupholstered, I ordered my fabric through a local discount fabric store — in my case, Osgoods. I think this saved me something like 40% off the retail price. My fabric wasn’t QUITE $100 a yard, but as I recall, it still was expensive, and I needed a lot of yardage. For this reason, I personally felt better ordering my fabric from a bricks-and-mortar store, so that I could deal with them personally in case there were any issues (which there weren’t.) Basically: Do your homework in terms of where to buy.
Of course, I wish this “Flashpoint” fabric came in a wider variety of colors — and in some “real” colors. When I get a chance, I’ll hunt down a big store with lots and lots and lots of upholstery books where I can look for more recommendations for fabrics with gold threads. To be sure, I think there are A LOT more upholstery fabrics with a mid century modern vibe out there today than there were 8 years ago, when I needed to reupholster my loveseats. Sigh. Me want gold slubbies.
Frieze fabrics from Knoll / 2018
UPDATE 2019:
The closest I’ve come to old-fashioned frieze — and it’s pretty darned close if you ask me — are two fabrics from Knoll that I found in 2018. See this story.
Matt says
I recently bought an old house with a matching couch and chair from Vanguard by Volckman that is black with the glittery (mylar?}thread running through the frieze. They are in great shape but VERY faded from the original black. I would like to DYE them but afraid 1.) dye won’t adhere to the fabric (polyester?) and 2.) that if it does it will dye the metallic thread too.
I would love to hear from anyone with advice about how to dye this. Also, I got a Kroehler club chair and gondola sofa that are in need of reupholstery. They will be fun to do, but the dyeing makes me nervous as I feel like a steward of these old chairs!
Beverly Schlein says
Nothe sure if this is still active post. I have my grandmother’s Frieze fabric sofa, was in perfect condition except wear on arms, have workers in to repaint and they put something against it and ripped the back. Sickened. It was Burgundy. Anybody that has any direction for me would appreciate getting in touch, email at beverlyschlein@yahoo.com
Diana says
Gawd that is terrible!! I hope you are going to make them pay for it! I also am looking for a new source of frieze fabric, the Beacon Hill
Flashpoint fabric mentioned at the start of this post is no longer available as far as I can tell.
Marti Hall-Powers says
Anybody who pays $100 a yard for either frieze or boucle fabric is either nuts or filthy rich. I got a gob today with the silver lurex thread through it. It is dark brown so the thread shows up well.
Enough to do a very large chaise lounge that I have from the 70s. Probably enough to do either a love seat or a small couch. It cost me $50.00 from a large vintage shop.
Jackie says
Hi I just received my samples of this beautiful fabric. It is very nice, however, I don’t know if it’s that nice!!! It’s $156.50 per yard!!! If you are re-doing a sofa it takes approx. 20 yds. give or take, depending on style. You can do the math. If anybody knows of a similar fabric for half or less of the cost I’m interested. Thanks
pam kueber says
wow, anyone with a sofa or chair with original fabric in good shape – take note of its replacement value!
Cathie says
http://www.smsautofabrics.com/
They have theee most amazing vintage upholstry fabric and what you are all looking for in every color imaginable. The real thing, with the gold sparkle thread going thru it. I found it by random chance and was soooo excited with the samples they sent me. They also can match and remake any upholstry fabric you currently have.
pam kueber says
Wow – we’ll check this out — thanks for the tip!
Diana says
Hi Cathie – how did you find the upholstery fabric with the sparkle thread? Their site makes it almost impossible to search for specific things.
Jackie says
does anyone know the price on the flashpoint copper fabric from beacon hill? They seem to only deal with wholesalers and do not sell to individuals and were not forthcoming with pricing when I called. i am trying to pick fabric for my mid century sofas and I really like the flashpoint fabrics that you highlighted. I would like to know where I can get similar fabric, or at least the price on this. Thanks
Amanda says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been looking for this type of upholstery fabric for years! I have a chair that my grandparents bought in the late ’40s/early ’50s that was pink with silver threads and a sofa and matching chair with wonderful bones that I bought for $30.00 (for both!) that all need recovered and they all were boucle originally. You’ve made my year with this article!
pam kueber says
Yay, I hope it works out! Be sure to get a sample first. Send me a note if/when it all works out!
Goldie Harvest says
I found some of this fabric as long curtains (rich, chocolate brown) at a thrift store for about ten bucks all three panels. Sometimes it pays to hop into a thrift store once in a while, as this is very nice, expensive looking stuff and many people don’t appreciate it.
Pat says
We had a pinkish brown sectional couch in that fabric when I was a kid. Can’t say I was crazy about it then, or now. I guess I’m just too close to that century, having lived through it. I like the century before (1940’s), wish I could find a floral print 40’s couch that has survived!
Corraun says
I am no expert but I am guessing “boucle” is French and means something along the lines of “bounce,” thus the loop thread. I believe “frieze” is perhaps Italian and means frozen, thus the pattern is still and without movement.