Best Fabrics for Cushion Covers: Upholstery Fabric Guide

Updated: May 26, 2026

How to Choose Cushion Fabric

The right fabric for a cushion depends on:

Indoor vs outdoor use
Expected abrasion (daily use vs decorative)
Washability requirements
Aesthetic goals (texture, pattern, colour)

Fabric Rub Count (Martindale / Wyzenbeek): What It Means

Rub count measures how many rubs a fabric withstands before showing wear.

Use Category	Minimum Rub Count (Wyzenbeek)
Decorative (rarely touched)	3,000–6,000
Light residential	9,000–12,000
Standard residential	15,000–25,000
Heavy residential / commercial	30,000+
Contract (office, hospitality)	50,000+

Always match the rub count to the actual use intensity of the cushion.

Fabric Comparison by Type

Cotton Canvas / Duck Canvas

Rub count: 15,000–25,000 Weight: 8–12 oz/yd² Washable: Yes (cold, gentle cycle) Outdoor suitable: No (absorbs moisture, fades quickly) Price: $8–$18/yard

A workhorse upholstery fabric. Holds shape well, resists fraying, sews cleanly. Available in solid colours and prints. The standard choice for sofa and chair seat cushions that need durability without luxury cost.

Best for: Everyday sofa cushions, bench cushions, budget projects.

Cotton-Linen Blend

Rub count: 12,000–20,000 Weight: 7–10 oz/yd² Washable: Yes (cold; may shrink slightly — pre-wash before cutting) Outdoor suitable: No Price: $12–$25/yard

A softer, more elegant look than pure canvas. The linen content adds texture and a relaxed, natural aesthetic. Slightly less durable than pure canvas but more comfortable to touch.

Best for: Living room cushions, throw pillows, decorative covers where aesthetics matter.

Solution-Dyed Acrylic (Sunbrella, Outdura, Bella-Dura)

Rub count: 50,000+ (Sunbrella) Weight: 8–12 oz/yd² Washable: Yes — bleach-safe, machine washable Outdoor suitable: Yes — UV, mildew, and moisture resistant Price: $18–$40/yard

The industry standard for outdoor cushions. “Solution-dyed” means the colour is baked into the fibre during manufacturing — it cannot fade from the outside because the colour goes all the way through each fibre. Outperforms all other fabrics for outdoor use by a significant margin.

Best for: Any outdoor application. Also excellent for indoor high-traffic cushions (children, pets). See Indoor vs Outdoor Cushion Fabric for a full side-by-side comparison.

Decorator/Upholstery Print Fabric

Rub count: 15,000–30,000 (varies widely by construction) Weight: 7–12 oz/yd² Washable: Dry clean only in many cases Outdoor suitable: No Price: $15–$60/yard

Wide category covering jacquards, damasks, printed cottons, and woven patterns sold by home décor fabric retailers. Quality and durability vary enormously. Check the rub count on the bolt.

Best for: Living room and bedroom cushions where the pattern or texture is the design intent.

Velvet

Rub count: 20,000–40,000 (woven velvet; higher than most people expect) Weight: 12–16 oz/yd² Washable: Dry clean only (steam cleaning only for most velvets) Outdoor suitable: No Price: $20–$60/yard

Surprisingly durable due to its dense pile construction. Looks and feels luxurious. Requires special handling: always cut in the same pile direction (mark the back of each piece with an arrow showing pile direction before cutting). For pile direction layout on box cushions, see How to Calculate Fabric for Box Cushions.

Best for: Accent cushions, bedroom covers, formal living rooms.

Olefin (Polypropylene)

Rub count: 30,000–50,000 Weight: 10–14 oz/yd² Washable: Yes Outdoor suitable: Yes — budget outdoor alternative to Sunbrella Price: $8–$15/yard

A lower-cost outdoor fabric alternative. Not as UV-resistant as solution-dyed acrylic (colours fade in ~2–3 seasons vs 5–7 for Sunbrella), but significantly cheaper. Good choice for rentals or high-replacement environments.

Best for: Budget outdoor cushions, rental properties, seasonal covers.

Marine Vinyl / Faux Leather

Rub count: 50,000–100,000+ Weight: 12–20 oz/yd² Washable: Wipe-clean only Outdoor suitable: Yes — fully waterproof Price: $15–$35/yard

Fully waterproof; nothing penetrates the surface. Heavy and stiff compared to woven fabrics. Hot in direct sun (absorbs heat). Requires a leather/walking foot on the sewing machine — pins leave permanent holes.

Best for: Boat cushions, pool loungers, outdoor dining chairs in wet climates.

Fabric Weight and Seam Allowance

Heavier fabrics require more seam allowance to maintain seam strength.

Fabric Weight	Recommended Seam Allowance
Light–Medium (under 8 oz)	½” (1.3 cm)
Medium–Heavy (8–12 oz)	½”–⅝” (1.3–1.6 cm)
Heavy (12 oz+)	⅝”–1” (1.6–2.5 cm)

The Cushion Fabric Calculator lets you set seam allowance to match your fabric weight.