The Best Fabric Samples

I have been looking for fabrics to use in my latest project, so I went online and found several places that offered free samples. There was a wide variety in the information and packaging that came with them, so I've decided to review them all, and find out which service is the best.

Quality of samples - Quality of the fabric.

Quantity of samples - Are you allowed a decent number of samples?

Size of samples - The bigger the sample, the easier it is to determine if that is the fabric that you want.

Choice of fabric - Was there a range of fabric samples to choose from?

Packaging and contents - Invoices, leaflets, guides, extra gifts.

Emails - After ordering, do they bombard you with emails?

Delivery time - Speed between ordering and arrival.

Website - How useful is the website? Is it easy to navigate?

I've rated all of these factors out of 10. 1 = Awful. 10 = Excellent.

Arlo & Jacob:

The samples arrived in a cardboard box in a protective plastic bag

Inside of the package

Samples came with a tea bag, biscuit, pencil, invoice and a book showing their collections

Samples measure 13.5cm x 9.5cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 10/10

Quantity of samples: 4/10

Size of samples: 6/10

Choice of fabric: 10/10

Packaging and contents: 9/10

Emails: An email was sent to tell me the samples had been dispatched, another with an invoice. I have also received several emails related to their retail since. 5/10

Delivery time: 9/10

Website: 9/10

Overall Score: 62/80

Sweet Pea & Willow:

Samples arrived in a branded envelope

Inside the package

A leaflet telling you what they do to protect your furniture

Samples slightly differ in size - average is 12.5cm x 8cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 10/10

Quantity of samples: 7/10

Size of samples: 5/10

Choice of fabric: 6/10

Packaging and contents: 7/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent. 5/10

Delivery time: 9/10

Website: 9/10

Overall Score: 58/80

The Natural Curtain Company:

Arrived in an envelope

Leaflet with some helpful information

Fabric samples come in various sizes

Sample information

Quality of samples: 8/10

Quantity of samples: 6/10

Size of samples: 6/10

Choice of fabric: 10/10

Packaging and contents: 4/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent. 4/10

Delivery time: 9/10

Website: 9/10

Overall Score: 56/80

Perch & Parrow:

Samples arrived in a cardboard package sealed in a plastic pocket

The layout of the package

Helpful upholstery leaflets

Samples measure 14.5cm x 10cm

Quality of samples: 10/10

Quantity of samples: 7/10

Size of samples: 7/10

Choice of fabric: 8/10

Packaging and contents: 8/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent. 4/10

Delivery time: 9/10

Website: 8/10

Overall Score: 61/80

Chesterfields Direct

Arrived in a branded envelope

Company letter

Samples vary in size - average 9cm x 6.5cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 7/10

Quantity of samples: 7/10

Size of samples: 4/10

Choice of fabric: 6/10

Packaging and contents: 3/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent and a follow up email to check that the swatches had arrived. 8/10

Delivery time: 8/10

Website: 6/10

Overall Score: 49/80

Willow & Hall

Samples arrived in a nice, sturdy, cardboard package

Inside the box

Samples measure 12.5cm x 10.5cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 10/10 Quantity of samples: 9/10 Size of samples: 7/10 Choice of fabric: 8/10 Packaging and contents: 8/10 Emails: Order confirmation and delivery notification. 8/10 Delivery time: 9/10 Website: 9/10 Overall Score: 68/80

Love Your Home

Arrived in a big cardboard envelope

Inside the envelope

Letter telling you about their services and book showing you the range of their products

Smaller package contaioning fabrics

Samples vary in size - large fabric swatches 13.5cm x 10cm, smaller leather swatches 6cm x 6cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 7/10

Quantity of samples: 9/10

Size of samples: 5/10

Choice of fabric: 8/10

Packaging and contents: 8/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent. 5/10

Delivery time: 9/10

Website: 9/10

Overall total: 60/80

Terrys Fabrics

Samples arrived in a branded envelope

Invoice and package filled with samples

Samples vary in size - average size 17.5cm x 12cm

Sample information

Quality of samples: 9/10

Quantity of samples: 9/10

Size of samples: 8/10

Choice of fabric: 10/10

Packaging and contents: 6/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent. 5/10

Delivery time: 8/10

Website: 8/10

Overall total: 63/80

Curtains Curtains Curtains

Samples arrived in a plain envelope

Letter with sample information

Samples vary in size - average 18cm x 11cm

Sample numbers

Quality of samples: 7/10

Quantity of samples: 8/10

Size of samples: 9/10

Choice of fabric: 7/10

Packaging and contents: 3/10

Emails: Order confirmation sent and repeating follow up emails. 5/10

Delivery time: 7/10

Website: 6/10

Overall total: 52/80

Chesterfield Couture

A4 cardboard package in plastic packaging

Contents of package include a brochure, measuring guide and smaller envelope of samples

Sample packaging

Samples vary in size - average 9.5cm x 4.5cm. Sample names located on the back

Quality of samples: 7/10

Quantity of samples: 6/10

Size of samples: 4/10

Choice of fabric: 6/10

Packaging and contents: 7/10

Emails: Dispatch note and Christmas deals. 5/10

Delivery time: 6/10

Website: 6/10

Overall total: 47/80

So, overall this means that the highest scoring service is from Willow & Hall. Below you can see all of the results:

1. Willow & Hall - 68

2. Terrys Fabrics - 63

3. Arlo & Jacob - 62

4. Perch & Parrow - 61

5. Love Your Home - 60

6. Sweetpea & Willow - 58

7. The Natural Curtain Company - 56

8. Curtains Curtains Curtains - 52

9. Chesterfields Direct - 49

10. Chesterfield Couture - 47

As you can see there wasn't a massive difference between each of the services. I am happy with the service that I received from each of the companies, and these samples will definitely help me to make the decision as to what fabric I would like to use in my project.

In my next blog post I will be reviewing more fabric samples that I ordered, except these ones require you to order them through your nearest stockist.

Thanks for reading, I hope this was helpful in some way!