Collection: Outdoor fabric

For all your outdoor fabric needs look no further than our curated range of outdoor fabrics perfect for UK weather! If you need waterproof fabric for outdoor furniture such as loungers, outdoor cushions, bean bags, parasols, awnings or deck chairs discover our range of water repellent material which will be hard-wearing in all weathers. Our plain and patterned outdoor fabrics will really bring your garden or balcony to life.

 

Is all Outdoor Fabric Waterproof?

 

There is a range of outdoor fabrics to choose from, some of which will be waterproof and others will be water-resistant or water-repellent.

 

When a fabric is waterproof, it is impervious to water. So, no water will be able to pass through the fabric and it will be unaffected by water. However, when a fabric is water-resistant, it won’t be completely resistant to water. Although it’s not easy to do so, water can still pass through water-resistant fabric. Water-repellent fabric is commonly treated or coated with polyurethane and acrylic to prevent water penetration. Often, this type of outdoor fabric will have a waxy feel and the water will sit on top of the coating rather than pass through the fabric.

 

Depending on what you’re going to use outdoor fabrics for, some types of material will be more suitable than others. Yet, generally speaking, water-resistant, water-repellent and waterproof materials are all a great option for outdoor projects.

 

How to Clean Outdoor Fabric

Outdoor fabric is relatively easy to clean if you don't let the dirt build up too much. As many outdoor fabrics are water resistant and stain resistant with a special finish you must clean the fabric gently to avoid stripping away the colour and water repellent qualities. 

If you are able to remove outdoor cushion covers, seat covers or outdoor tablecloths you can machine wash them on a cool cycle using a mild detergent. If the outdoor fabric can't be removed such as on a lounger bed or parasol, you can gently brush surface dirt away using a brush then dissolve some mild detergent in a bucket of warm water and gently sponge the remaining dirt away then leave to dry in the open air. 

It is important not to put outdoor fabric items away before they are dry to prevent mould or mildew forming. 

 

What can Outdoor Fabric be Used For?

 

Outdoor fabric is incredibly versatile, and it can be used for a range of projects. As mentioned above, outdoor materials are ideal for garden furniture, such as loungers, bean bags, parasols and awnings. This type of fabric will be able to withstand all weather conditions and you can often leave it outside all year round without any issues.

 

You can even use outdoor fabric to make things such as picnic blankets and tablecloths that are predominantly going to be used outside. This durable fabric is a great choice for other outdoor accessories such as cushions and bunting as well.

 

Sometimes, fabric for outdoor use is also beneficial for dressmaking and crafting projects too. For example, if you’re making a gardening apron or a pair of gardening gloves, using outdoor fabric can help to prevent water from easily passing through the fabric and making you wet. You can also make bags and backpacks with this type of fabric, and it will help to keep your belongings dry when you’re outside in the rain. Of course, you can use waterproof outdoor fabric to make raincoats and any polyurethane-coated fabric will be ideal whenever you’re making waterproof clothing.

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One stop fabric shop

Welcome to the Fabrics Galore London online store, packed full of beautiful fabrics to inspire your next dressmaking, patchwork quilting, craft or home furnishing sewing project. We stock a huge range of different materials alongside designer fabrics from Liberty, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely, Laura Ashley, William Morris and Alexander Henry. We source the highest quality fabrics, so whether it be a cotton, linen, viscose, chambray, jersey or wool, we have you covered.Check out our dressmaking fabric for something with drape, fabulous Liberty cotton lawn prints, quilting fabrics for patchwork inspiration or the home furnishing section to pimp your pad. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get sewing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you sell by the metre?

We sell by the half metre on our website (the price is therefore displayed by the half metre) to allow our customers more flexibility. If you wish to buy a metre, you need to buy two units, but don’t worry, it will always be cut in one continuous length. 

Can I pay for next day delivery?

We can send your fabric by courier which should arrive the next day, for the additional cost of £12. The simplest way to do this is by sending us an email  howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk or by calling the shop on 0207 738 9589. We would need to know before 1pm, and we are unable to organise a Saturday delivery. 

Can I buy your fabrics if I live outside the UK?

Yes, we ship to Europe. For all the details, see our Shipping Page.  

Do you send out samples?

We do, our samples are 10 cm by the width of the fabric (usually 112cm or 137cm) and cost 10% of the fabric’s metre price plus £1.50 for postage. Simply go to our Request a Swatch page.

Is there an actual shop I can visit?

Yes, we have a shop in South London. All the fabrics, which are available online (and more) are in the shop alongside a small haberdashery and pattern range. 

The address is 52-54 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5RH.

Is it possible to get a wholesale price?

We are a fabric retailer rather than a wholesaler so the short answer is no, but if you are looking for a large quantity of fabric, it is best to email us on  howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk to see if we can help you out.

What does OEKO-TEX 100 mean?

OEKO-TEX 100 means the fabric has been tested for 100 harmful substances. The testing and certification process extends far beyond existing legal requirements, testing not only for substances already banned, but also for chemicals known to be unsafe, but not yet controlled by legislation. Fabrics which meet OEKO-TEX 100 are great for children’s clothing or underwear. 

How quickly will I get my order?

All our orders are sent out by Royal Mail First Class so should be with you within a few days of fulfilment and often within 1-2 days. We send fabric out on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. During busy periods such as sales, deliveries may take slightly longer, and we are always grateful for your patience.

Where do your fabrics come from?

We stock British fabrics as well as fabrics from suppliers all over the world - including Germany, Italy, Taiwan and India. 

Will you be at any shows this year?

In recent years we have cut back on the number of shows we attend but we do still go to several. For the full list have a look on our Events Page.   

Can I order a specific fabric from a supplier which you stock but isn’t on your website?

We select our fabrics from various ranges to create the interesting collections we offer and it’s rare that we buy the whole range. If you have a specific fabric you are looking for, it’s best to email us to find out if we can help you. Our email address is howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk

When will out of stock fabrics be available again?

When we sell out of a popular fabric such as our cream bouclé, we will try very hard to get it back in quickly. As soon as it arrives, it will go straight back on our website, and we will notify our customers via social media or our weekly newsletter. If you wanted to sign up so you never miss a thing, subscribe on our simple sign up form

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes, we do have a few different types: you can buy a voucher for Free Postage for a Whole Year gift card. Or you can buy vouchers for £10, £25, £50 or £100 which will be emailed over to you immediately, in case it’s a last-minute gift. See our gift voucher page.

What does GSM mean?

GSM stands for grams per square metre; the higher the number, the thicker and heavier the fabric will be. For example, a denim or a sweatshirt fabric will have a much higher GSM than a satin. 

What our customers say

Fast Delivery
Great Quality
Outstanding Customer Service
Fast Delivery
Great Quality
Outstanding Customer Service

@fabricsgalorelondon

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