Guide To Obtaining Free Fabric Samples Where To Find Felt And Other Textiles

Free fabric samples provide an excellent opportunity for crafters, designers, and home decorators to evaluate materials before making significant purchases. Among the various fabric types, felt stands out as a versatile material suitable for numerous projects ranging from simple crafts to complex sewing endeavors. This article explores retailers that provide free fabric samples, with particular attention to those offering felt options, and provides insight into utilizing these samples effectively.

Retailers Offering Free Fabric Samples

Smith & Noble: Smith & Noble, a retailer specializing in window treatments and home furnishings, offers an extensive selection of fabric samples. Customers can order up to 30 free samples, which are shipped at no charge within 1 to 3 days. The company sells drapes, valances & cornices, blinds, shutters, and shades, making it an excellent resource for those working on home décor projects. Their sample program allows customers to touch and see the actual fabrics before making a significant investment in window treatments.

Maker&Son: Maker&Son provides furniture including chairs, sofas, corner sofas, and beds, with bespoke design options available. The retailer offers a variety of fabric samples such as Italian linen, linen/cotton, and corduroy in numerous colors including reds, blues, and beiges. Customers can select up to 7 different fabric samples to help them make informed decisions about their furniture purchases. The sample program is particularly useful for those seeking to coordinate home furnishings with existing décor.

Room & Board: Room & Board offers a wide range of furniture and home décor items for various spaces including living rooms, offices, and bedrooms. Their product selection includes chairs, counter/bar stools, beds, and storage benches/ottomans. The company provides free fabric and leather swatches, allowing customers to choose up to 20 samples that are delivered via USPS in 3 to 5 days. This generous sample policy enables customers to thoroughly evaluate materials before committing to larger purchases.

Joybird: Specializing in furniture for living rooms, dining rooms, offices, and bedrooms, Joybird also offers outdoor furniture and home décor items such as throws, pillows, and pet beds. Customers can order a free fabric swatch sample kit to evaluate the quality and appearance of their materials. The sample program is particularly valuable for those interested in the company's custom furniture options, as it allows them to see and feel the actual fabrics used in production.

Calico: Calico offers an extensive range of products including drapes, shades, valances, chairs, dining chairs, and sofas. The company provides free samples of all its fabrics, allowing customers to select specific samples online. For those living near Calico stores, the Fabric Approval Plan enables customers to try before they buy by borrowing fabric samples for two days. This dual approach to sampling accommodates both online and in-person shoppers.

Apt2B: Apt2B provides furniture for various spaces including sofas, sectionals, beds, and chairs. The company allows customers to choose up to 10 free kid-friendly and pet-friendly fabric samples, which can be added directly to the cart. Their fabric selection ranges from vintage woven to poly-nylon materials, offering diverse options for different design aesthetics. The sample program is particularly beneficial for families with children or pets, as it allows them to evaluate durability and ease of cleaning.

DiscountedDesignerFabrics.com: This retailer offers a wide selection of fabrics that customers can test for free. Customers can order up to 6 samples from the website, with free standard shipping. Expedited shipping options are available for those willing to pay an additional fee. The sample program allows crafters and designers to experiment with high-quality fabrics without financial commitment, making it an excellent resource for those working on specialized projects.

Half Price Drape: As the name suggests, Half Price Drape specializes in drapes and window treatments. Customers can obtain five free swatches from the website, making it an ideal resource for those specifically interested in curtain fabrics. The limited selection of samples focuses on the company's primary product category, ensuring that all samples are relevant to potential customers' needs.

Pottery Barn: Pottery Barn, a well-known home furnishings retailer, offers everything from sofas to ottomans. Customers can order free fabric swatches online, with numerous colors available ranging from ivory to navy. The company's fabric selection includes various materials such as velvet, linen, and canvas, catering to different design preferences and functional requirements. The sample program allows customers to coordinate home furnishings across different rooms.

Bemz: Specializing in slipcovers for Ikea furniture, Bemz offers up to five free samples from their website. Their selection includes cotton fabric and linen samples, providing options for different textures and weights. The sample program is particularly valuable for those looking to refresh existing Ikea furniture without purchasing entirely new pieces. By allowing customers to see and feel the actual materials, Bemz helps ensure a good match with existing furniture.

Pretty Windows: This retailer focuses on curtains and valances, offering customers the ability to order up to 15 samples. Samples ship for free within 1 to 2 days, making it one of the most generous sample programs available. The extensive sample selection allows customers to compare multiple options side by side, facilitating better decision-making for window treatment projects.

Feather & Black: Specializing in bedroom furniture and bedding, Feather & Black offers up to 6 free fabric samples on their website. With more than 160 fabrics available to choose from, customers have an extensive selection to evaluate. Their product range includes textured weave, wool, and velvet in various colors, providing options for different design styles. The sample program is particularly beneficial for those creating cohesive bedroom designs.

Voila Voile Curtains and Blinds: Voila Voile offers a custom-made collection of luxurious fabrics from around the world. The company sends free samples to help customers visualize how the fabric will look in their home. Shipping is free for customers in Australia, the UK, and the USA, while other countries are required to pay a small shipping fee (less than $1 for most). The sample program enables customers to experience the quality and appearance of high-end fabrics before making a significant investment.

Special Considerations for Felt Fabric

Felt stands out among fabric types for its versatility and ease of use. Unlike many other fabrics, felt does not require hemming or finishing, as its edges do not fray. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for beginners and quick projects. The material comes in various thicknesses and densities, ranging from thin craft felt to thick industrial felt, each suited to different applications.

When ordering felt samples, customers should pay attention to the weight and composition of the material. Some felts are made entirely from natural fibers like wool, while others may contain synthetic blends. Natural wool felts tend to be more durable and have a luxurious feel, while synthetic blends may offer more color options and lower prices.

Retailers that specifically mention felt in their sample selections include Feather & Black, which offers "textured weave" fabrics that may include felt options. Additionally, craft-specific retailers may offer felt samples, though this information is not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources.

Projects Using Felt Fabric

Felt's unique properties make it suitable for a wide range of projects, from simple crafts to more complex sewing endeavors. The following are some popular project ideas that utilize felt:

Felt Purse Organizer: A felt purse organizer is a practical project that can be moved from one bag to another. Using any type of felt, crafters can create compartments for essentials such as phones, keys, and cosmetics. The stiffness of felt helps the organizer maintain its shape, providing structure within various purse styles.

DIY Llama Stuffie: Felt is ideal for creating stuffed animals due to its ability to hold shape and its clean edges. The provided source mentions a free pattern for sewing adorable llamas from felt, which can be decorated with scraps of trim and pom poms. The project is accessible to crafters of various skill levels and results in a charming toy or decorative item.

Fabric Doll with Felt Hair: Felt's texture makes it suitable for sensory toys and children's items. A fabric doll with braidable felt hair provides both visual and tactile interest. The texture difference between the doll's body and felt hair is beneficial for little fingers and adds a sensory element that can be particularly appealing to young children.

Felt Leaf Wreath: For those interested in home décor, a felt leaf wreath offers a no-sew option for seasonal decoration. The project involves cutting leaf shapes from felt and arranging them on a wreath form. Depending on the colors chosen, the wreath can represent different seasons, with autumn shades like gold, orange, and red, or winter colors like red, green, and white.

Donut Pincushions: Felt donut pincushions combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. These small, decorative items serve a practical purpose while adding charm to a sewing space. The project utilizes felt's ability to hold shape and its availability in various colors to create realistic-looking donuts with "sprinkles" made from small beads or other embellishments.

Conclusion

Free fabric samples offer an excellent opportunity for crafters, designers, and home decorators to evaluate materials before making purchases. Among the various fabric types, felt stands out for its versatility and ease of use, making it suitable for numerous projects from simple crafts to complex sewing endeavors. The retailers mentioned in this article provide generous sample programs, with most offering between 5 and 20 free samples per customer. When selecting felt samples, customers should consider factors such as weight, composition, and intended use. By utilizing free samples effectively, crafters can make informed decisions about materials, ensuring the best results for their projects while minimizing waste and unnecessary expense.

Sources

1. Free Fabric Samples - MoneyPantry
2. Felt Free and Easy Sewing with Over 20 Patterns - Sew Can She
3. Free Fabric Samples - Arlo & Jacob