A Comprehensive Guide to Boucle Upholstery Fabrics
Boucle, boucle, boucle—chances are, you’ve heard this term a lot lately. Boucle recently rose to fame, and as of late, it seems like everyone has its name on their tongues. But what is boucle, and how do you use it? If you want to learn more about this trendy kind of cloth, we go over what you need to know in this comprehensive guide to boucle upholstery fabric. Read on to learn more about boucle and why you should jump on the recent craze.
What’s Boucle?
Boucle, whose name derives from the French term boucler, “to curl,” is a textile woven or knotted with boucle yarn. Boucle yarn traditionally uses wool or mohair, though you can also craft it from materials like polyester, linen, cotton, and silk. Spinners create it from various loops, ranging from big circlets to tiny curls, which gives the yarn a soft, heathered look. Most boucle uses yarn of two distinct colors, typically a neutral-colored hue and a vibrantly-colored hue, though you can find monotone boucle as well.
What Do You Use It For?
You can use boucle as a standalone fabric, but most use it as an accent to other textiles—for example, it makes a great trim! Typically, boucle features in contemporary-style spaces thanks to its mix of modern and traditional elements. You’re most likely to see this material on curved or rounded furniture because the boucle and curves combine to create a smooth, soft look.
While these rules can help you use boucle in a way that’s appealing, they aren’t strict rules that you have to follow at all costs. You can use boucle in many other ways as well. Let’s take a look at some ways you can incorporate boucle into your home.
Super Soft Seating
Do you want to feel regal? Boucle is so smooth and silky that lounging on it will make you feel like royalty! Use it to upholster sofas and chairs and create a luxurious seating experience.
Drapery
Boucle is an ideal material for drapery. It’s thick and heavy enough to block out the sun and sounds from outdoors and will give your walls a soft and textured look that makes them stand out.
Throw Pillows and Blankets
The main appeal of boucle is its inviting softness, so why not make the most of it with assorted pillows and throw blankets? Toss ’em on your couch, your chairs, or your bed to take comfort to the next level.
In the Bedroom
You can use boucle in any room of the home, but it works especially well in the bedroom. You can use boucle as bedding, for pillows and throw blankets, or even to create a padded headboard! Boucle is breathable and will keep you cool in summer. It’s also heavy, meaning it can keep you warm in winter. It’s the perfect all-season solution that guarantees restful sleep.
The History of Boucle
Boucle has been around for some time, but its popularity in the US is rather recent. You can thank Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen for giving boucle its fame—once Saarinen introduced his famous “Womb Chair” made from boucle (at the request of Knoll, who wanted something “to curl up in”), the material became the talk of the town. Since then, many popular fashion and furniture producers, such as Coco Chanel, Vladimir Kagan, and Pierre Yovanovitch, have used boucle in their work. Today, homes and businesses across the world use boucle to create a cozy and contemporary aesthetic.
Benefits of Boucle
Boucle doesn’t just look amazing. It’s also a durable, practical choice for the home. See some of the perks of boucle below.
Heavy but Soft
Boucle is heavy enough that it provides excellent cushioning and sound absorption (if used as a window dressing). However, it’s also soft enough that you can use it to add an extra comfy touch to a chair.
Highly Textured
Boucle is a highly textured fabric and a fantastic way to add depth and variety to a room.
Machine Washable
Not all boucle is machine washable. Boucle made from wool or mohair, for example, is dry clean only. That said, you can toss linen and cotton boucle directly into the wash, making it remarkably easy to care for.
Won’t Matte
Boucle won’t matte, or bunch up, like similar textiles such as sherpa or sheepskin.
Minimal Shedding
To some extent, every cloth sheds natural or synthetic fibers. These microfibers can get into the air and water and pollute them. Those who are eco-conscious will be happy to hear that, compared to other fabrics, boucle sheds minimally. You can feel good about using this environmentally-friendly fabric in your home!
Doesn’t Fade
Don’t be worried about over washing your boucle or leaving it out in the sun—it takes a lot to wash the color out of this material!
One con to boucle you may want to consider is that pet hair easily latches onto the fibers, so it isn’t the most practical choice for pet parents. That said, pet parents can still use boucle so long as they commit to washing it often and choose a darker shade to conceal the hair.
As you can see, there are plenty of pros to using boucle! It gives your home an upscale feel, is easy to care for, and is long-lasting, so you can use it for years to come. It’s truly the best of both worlds—luxury and convenience!
Keep this guide to boucle upholstery fabric in mind next time you’re searching for an amazing and versatile textile choice.
If you want to use trendy, cozy boucle in your home, The Fabric Outlet has you covered! We sell boucle upholstery fabric by the yard, including Tussah, Woolly, and Dapper WR variations in several colors. Use our boucle to renew your chairs or sofa, as drapery, or to add a touch of texture wherever you need it. No matter where or how you use boucle, it will enhance your space and make it look phenomenal.
