Cheap Uses for Expensive Fabric

The hurricane this weekend knocked out our power for nearly a day, so I was able to catch up on some important stuff, like reading magazines and knitting. While I was leafing through the September issue of Martha Stewart Living, one of the decorating idea boards caught my eye. I love decorating idea collages/boards/montages in general, but this one was especially pretty, thanks to the use of a really funky colorful fabric as the base layer of the design.



My eye drifted over to the list of items and their respective makers and prices to see where I could find this yummy fabric. "Trina Turk Peacock fabric, $112/yard." My jaw dropped as I dramatically flipped the page and thought, "Pssshhh, in your dreams." But then I stopped and turned back. Sure, I'm not going to reupholster a couch or make window treatments with a $100+/yard fabric, but that doesn't mean I can't have it in some way, shape or form.

There are plenty of cheap ways to use an expensive fabric that you absolutely can't live without. The key is to buy less yardage and get creative. Here are just a few ideas:

• Pillows: You'd probably pay $50 for a great pillow, right? Well, a half-yard of fabric is all you need to make a great feature pillow with which you can coordinate other pillows in less expensive fabrics. Want to spend even less? Use the fabric on only the front of the pillow and a cheaper, solid fabric on the back. Check out the big impact one Trina Turk fabric covered pillow has in this photo from Mediterranean Inspired.

• Lampshades: Use a small cut of expensive fabric to cover a cheap bargain store lampshade. Crafty Little Chick has a great tutorial for covering lampshades.

• Custom Drapes: Add a band of your fabric to the base of inexpensive window treatments for a customized look. I found a tutorial for dressing up store-bought drapes at Isabella & Max Rooms.

• Chair or Ottoman Cover: Reupholstering a small ottoman or chair cushion only requires about a half-yard of fabric.