Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Project: A Kravet Guide Based on What I've Learned

There’s no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" fabric, especially when you’re working with a range as broad as Kravet’s. You might be drawn to a luxurious viscose blend for a client’s living room, but you also have a designer asking about nylon webbing for a commercial project or a homeowner trying to figure out how to replace an awning fabric.

The answer depends entirely on your specific project. I’ve made plenty of expensive mistakes learning this, and honestly, I’m still finding new ways to get it wrong. Here’s how to navigate the different scenarios.

Scenario A: The High-End Upholstery Project (Your Core Kravet Territory)

This is what most people think of when they hear "Kravet" — luxurious, decorative fabrics. You’re designing a sofa for a high-end residential project or a boutique hotel lobby. The goal is aesthetics and comfort, but durability still matters. This is where Kravet upholstery fabrics shine.

What I’d recommend:

• Focus on the rub count (Wyzenbeek or Martindale). For a family sofa, I wouldn’t go below 15,000 double rubs. For commercial contract work, you need 30,000+. Kravet has specific collections rated for this.
• Don’t fear performance fabrics here. Many designers assume "performance" means "cheap," but Kravet’s Crypton and Sunbrella lines are luxury-grade. I once specified a standard velvet for a dining chair — the client’s kids left red wine stains on it within a week (ugh). The $1,200 reupholstery job taught me a lesson.

"I knew I should check the rub count before ordering 40 yards of that beautiful chenille, but I thought, 'it looks thick, it'll be fine.' That was the one time it wasn't. The seams started pilling on a $3,200 order. Now I check every spec sheet."

What If You Want a Discount?

Everyone asks about a "Kravet fabric discount." The reality is that Kravet, like most luxury textile houses, doesn’t offer public discounts to end consumers. They have a trade program for designers. If you’re a small business owner just starting out, this can feel frustrating.

My advice: Invest in the trade membership. When I was starting out in 2017, the vendors that took my $200 sample orders seriously were the ones I still use for $20,000 orders today. It’s not about getting a discount today; it’s about building the relationship. Kravet offers significant value through their design resources, which is worth more than a 10% cut that a discount fabric mill might offer.

Scenario B: The (Surprising) Question About Viscose for Babies

This is the weird one that comes up more than you’d think. You mentioned a search for "viscose fabric for babies." Here’s the honest truth (and a mistake I made): viscose is not a great choice for baby products.

Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fiber (basically wood pulp). It has a beautiful drape and sheen — that’s why you see it in high-end fashion. But for a baby mattress, a blanket, or especially a crib bumper? I’d steer you away from it.

Here’s why:

• Safety: Viscose is often treated with chemicals (like formaldehyde) to enhance its strength and colorfastness. While it’s technically safe for adults, for a baby’s sensitive skin or respiratory system? I’d skip the risk. The 2018 US Consumer Product Safety Commission updates on crib bumper safety reinforced this for me.
• Durability: Viscose has poor wet strength. If it gets damp (from drool, a leaky diaper), it weakens considerably. It’s also prone to pilling.

What you should look for from Kravet: If you’re doing a baby’s room, stick with performance fabrics. Their Sunbrella line (made from solution-dyed acrylic) is virtually indestructible, stain-resistant, and doesn’t off-gas like some treated viscose blends might. It’s a lot more forgiving.

I have mixed feelings about this topic. On one hand, viscose is a natural-derived fiber, which feels like a good idea. On the other, the science on its chemical processing is clear. If you’re a designer working on a nursery, don’t guess. Ask for the test reports.

Scenario C: The Hard Stuff — Nylon Webbing and Awning Fabric

This is completely different territory. You’re searching for "nylon webbing plastic hardware" and "how to replace an awning fabric." Kravet is not typically the go-to source for marine-grade webbing or the plastic snap connectors used in awnings. But they are a go-to for the actual fabric.

Replacing Awning Fabric: This is a common DIY question, and I’ve seen it go wrong.

• The Mistake (I’ve seen this twice): Someone orders a beautiful indoor/outdoor fabric (like a Kravet Sunbrella) for an awning. It’s the right fabric type. But they don’t order the right grade. Sunbrella has specific awning grades that are heavier and more UV-resistant than the standard upholstery grade. I once watched a client swap their awning fabric with an upholstery-grade material. It lasted one season before fading and cracking. That’s a $450 mistake plus the hassle of swapping it again.
• How to avoid it: When replacing an awning, don’t just search for "Kravet fabric." Call the Kravet contract/outdoor division (or a specialist) and specify you need awning-grade fabric. The hardware (nylon webbing, plastic buckles, and aluminum poles) is separate. You’ll need to source that from a marine or hardware supplier. The Kravet team can help you pick the right material; they won’t sell you the springs or rivets.

As of January 2025, the standard pricing for an awning-grade Sunbrella runs about $30-$45 per yard, which is a premium over the $20-$30 per yard for standard outdoor upholstery fabric. It’s worth it.

How to Decide Which Scenario You’re In

It’s actually pretty simple once you know what to ask. Don’t just search for "Kravet". Ask yourself these three questions:

1. What is the primary stress? Is it a person sitting on it (Scenario A), a baby (Scenario B), or the sun/weather (Scenario C)?
2. What is the safety requirement? Does it need to be flame-retardant (contract work)? Hypoallergenic (baby)? MVSS-302 rated (marine)?
3. What is the cost of failure? Is it a $400 mistake I can fix with a new cushion, or a $3,000 mistake that compromises a client relationship?

The most frustrating part of fabric sourcing: you can’t judge a book by its cover, or a textile by its hand. You’d think a soft, beautiful fabric will be perfect, but the testing data tells a different story. Kravet’s success comes from having the data. My success comes from learning to read it before I buy.