U-Fab

What’s not to love?! Fabulous fabrics and great service. The ladies were so helpful.

What more can a girl ask for? Loads and loads of fabrics line every inch of this store, all color-​coded, much like every woman’s dream closet. They have so many contemporary fabrics in bright colors, none of that drab overly stiff and traditional stuff at the national fabric stores. UFab is like mecca for upholstery in particular. This local gem is a special treat, and they have just what you need to give your décor a nice jolt.
Most upholstery fabric averages around $ 24.99/yd, but they do have an annual 20% off sale in January. There are prints and colors galore, and even tons of pillows for covering in all sorts of shapes from neck roll pillows to rectangular 20″ square pillows. They offer both poly-​fil and down pillows. Best of all, UFab does some fabulous custom re-​upholstery, drapes, and pillows, a good sample of which is on display in-​store. Apparently, they event have a discount store over by Chesterfield Mall. Since they also have a store in Charlottesville, check the website too. They have inventory from both stores online, and sometimes certain items are even lower on the site. I wonder if they’d honor the same price in the store.
Anyhow, the staff is helpful, the selection is endless, and the inspiration is contagious. Check out the clearance shelf for fabrics around $ 12 or $ 13 a yard.

While the store is nice, lots of fabric and great prices — customer service is not. I spent 2 visits with a very nice sales person who helped me select fabric. She told me to put the fabric on hold because there wasn’t much left and was being discontinued. I was given 48 hours to call and pay for the fabric. I called back 6 hours later the next day to pay for the fabric and was told that they tried to call me at an hour prior but because I didn’t answer they SOLD the fabric I HAD ON HOLD. So don’t believe them when they say they are holding something for you. They NEVER left me a message, they only «tried» to call me while I was at work and couldn’t answer. I guess if someone comes in and wants what you have on hold the mighty dollar speaks first. I rank customer service very high and this was very poor customer service.
I did however send a letter to the owner and he was very nice and offered to see if he could locate the fabric from the mill. He also explained that «hold» only means if someone else isn’t interested in the fabric (which I was not told at the time). I do appreciate his willingness to make things right.

Great fabric, fair prices, but lack luster customer service. I love scouting out independent fabric stores and when I found U-​Fab on Unilocal I couldn’t wait to make the trip from Alexandria, VA to Richmond to check them out. At the time of our visit there was only one other customer in the store (who said that she was just browsing); however the two sales associates that were working that day alternated between rushing my daughter and me or being non-attentive…we got a really strange vibe — my daughter is normally mellow and doesn’t pay attention to such things but she also picked up on it and mentioned that she did not feel welcomed — it was almost as if we were interrupting the sales associates from doing nothing. My pet peeve is customer service and at one point I thought about leaving my fabric and walking out but since I had drove all the way from Alexandria I went ahead and purchased the items. Again, great fabric but due to the unwelcoming vibe I doubt I will choose to spend my money there again.

A rainbow of bright colors, a great range of prices, as many samples as you need before committing to a final fabric.
Yep, still love this place. So I’m in total nesting mode after buying a house and my latest project involves sewing. Yes, sewing. If you know me, you know that I’ve never been into sewing. In fact, it really intimidated me — so much so that when my mom tried to teach me during college she ended up sewing the entire project herself while I watched. Yea, so when I decided I wanted to make curtains, I originally planned on going the no-​sew route and using hem tape. Well after some deep reflection (ok, not really, but it sounds more intriguing, right?), I decided I’d give the sewing machine another go.
Of course, in order to make curtains I needed fabric. And what’s the first place I thought of? Well, U-​Fab obviously! Luckily, this project came right around the time of their Friends & Family sale! So I was able to get 20% off, which was definitely needed since I bought 23 yards of fabric. I’m not sure if this is a once or twice a year sale, but it comes after Christmas so if you’re in need of fabric around the holidays, hold out for this awesome deal. Some of the fabric is a bit pricey, but don’t be sticker-​shocked if the first one you pick up if out of your range. They certainly offer affordable fabrics as well! After doing a bunch of internet research, I’m confident that I got a great deal on the fabrics I chose.
I probably spent way more time in U-​Fab than I should have just to find two fabrics for curtains, but you know what? That’s ok. It’s a fun and cheerful atmosphere, with colorful fabric lining almost every inch of the shop. It can also be a little overwhelming if you enter with no concept of what you’re looking for. I was originally torn between corals and blues, so I was able to take home multiple fabric samples to help me make my decision. Once I got the samples home, the decision was super easy. Corals it was!
I went back the following day to purchase my fabrics, and (after second guessing my choices) I left with two amazing and large rolls of fabric. The staff was super friendly and helpful during both of my visits. I love that they’re available to assist and answer questions, but they don’t hover or rush you in the decision process.
So far I’ve finished the curtains for our guest room and the sewing machine and I now have a love-​love relationship. Who knew sewing was this easy? Well, clearly everyone who actually sews…
Better that I learn late than never! Seriously, if you need fabric for anything from upholstery to babywear, check out U-​Fab.

I love this place! They have great fabrics and good prices. They just added a ton of space to the back so it’s a lot better than the old space. Lots of different styles to choose from. I have a fabric obsession and have spent a lot of money here!

Love this place! A friend and I came down from DC for the day to go thrifting and hit up some stores I’d read about on a home blog, including U-​fab. It did not disappoint! While neither of us was in the market for anything specific, I couldn’t resist picking up a couple of $ 1 pieces of fabric (former samples), that are the perfect size for pillows. Everyone was really friendly, the place was clean and well organized, and they’ve even converted an old cigarette machine into an upholstery tack dispenser up front (so cute!).
Both of us agree that U-​fab would be worth the drive from DC if we ever have a big upholstery project that needs some yardage!

The only thing I have hit up here is their $ 2.95 bargain bin, which makes me a huge fan. The bargain bin says they have pieces under 3 yards are so, which isn’t true. I’ve picked up 2 pieces to total 15 yards of fabric once, and then large pieces that are nearly 10 yards.
They have a bargain shelf as well and a wall of bargain (ish) trims.
Also they are one of the few places that carries that awesome sparkly vinyl for retro stools. It comes in about 5 different shades, but alas I have no use for it so I just look every time.
The regular fabric is fairly priced. You may be able to save more with a fist full of cupons at Joann or Hancock’s, however Ufab has a much larger stock.

LOVE U-​Fab. They carry all kinds of fun and colorful fabrics. I consider them the younger, hipper cousin of Williams & Sherrill. They will also upholster items and their prices are pretty average for Richmond.
They also have a discount shelf where you can find fun fabrics for as low as $ 10 a yard. I even found outdoor fabric for $ 15/​yard; it was probably originally $ 30+ a yard!
Also, they have a store in C’ville that carries different items.
Cheers.

One of the best kept secrets in Richmond is the fabric and upholstery store, U-​Fab, on Robinson Street in the Fan. This amazing little oasis of designer fabrics is not only incredibly convenient to the city dweller, but also seriously affordable. Being someone who can’t stop sewing, I quickly learned that fabric is always your biggest investment during a project.
U-​Fab carries some of the best and most recent designs at discounted prices (as low as $ 10/​yard). Their stock consists entirely of upholstery weight fabrics, but you can often use upholstery for more than just re-​doing a chair or couch. I’ve created bags and other accessories using the heavy-​weight grade fabric that U-​Fab offers. Their team is super friendly and helpful as well. Sign up for their e-​mail list to get news on when they update their stock and even secret codes for extra discounts! Their Facebook page is also a great resource for ideas and updates to their stock.

U-​Fab is the only place to buy hip, on-​trend, modern fabric in Richmond. I don’t even bother going anywhere else. They also offer upholstery services, but I haven’t used them yet. However, I’ve seen lots of chairs waiting to be picked up and they do great work. They only have fabric for the home so this isn’t the place to go if you want to make apparel, but if you’re looking to make cool pillows, curtains or recover some old chairs — U-​Fab is your jam. I’m thankful we have this resource in RVA.

georgeous. fabrics.
end of story.
it’s mostly all home dec weight, by the way.
everyone here on Unilocal seems to be raving about their $ 2.99 section, but honestly i didn’t find much there. most of the bolts on the racks are ranging from 9.99 to 27.99 per yard. which is kinda expensive.
so if you have a big project – and most projects calling for home dec heavy weight fabrics are big – it’s kinda expensive.
but omg, the selection. the selection! inspiring prints!

They have so many great fabrics!
Their staff (the one that I met) was incredibly helpful!
They have so much in their 2.99 per yard section!
Sold.
But don’t come here for lace, come here for heavier upholstery fabric to make a bulletin board like I did. And make sure that you have matching thread at home or have time to stop at Quilting Adventures to buy thread because you will not find anything here except for fabric, end of story.

I have to agree that these guys have fab fabric, but what I lust after are the custom upholstered headboards.
Pick your fabric and style… I like the feminine tufted ones… and they’ll create a bedroom masterpiece.
If I ever learn to use a sewing machine (it’s on my bucket list), I would definitely come here for drapery fabric. They have gorgeous silks and faux silks.

LOVE THIS STORE. Ufab is a locally owned fabric store that has the best prices on fabric in the city. Even if you have never sewn a stitch, one trip to this store and you’ll be convinced that you need to redo everything in your house. They have fresh, modern fabrics as well as traditional ones, and they have a ton of stuff priced at $ 2.99 per yard. Yes, $ 2.99. So you can splurge on one of the $ 9.99 fabrics for new window treatments, and get the lining for $ 2.99. It makes a new set of drapes actually very affordable. And of course, ends of the bolts, seconds that have some defects, and other random pieces are CHEAP. I got two yards of silk that was at the end of the bolt for $ 7.99 last week. And it’s a lovely color… just what I was looking for.
They also do some re-​upholstery, so you can have Grandma’s ugly old chair recovered in a jaunty new print, for a reasonable price.
This is also a great place to shop if you are doing a non-​sewing project that involves fabric– you can cover a piece of foam in fabric from Ufab and have a new headboard for less than $ 40, that you made in one afternoon.
Oh and they also carry some of the funkier stuff for quilting– Amy Butler and whatnot.
The staff is small, mostly owners and their spouses, and they are very helpful and knowledgeable. Samples are free, if you want to take something home and test it out in different lights. Fabrics are arranged by color and type, with indoor/​outdoor being around $ 15/​yard and almost everything else being $ 9.99/yard or below.