Mansure & Co: A Charleston Fabric Store for Sewers and Designers

What Mansure & Co offers

Mansure & Co is a fabric store located in Charleston that carries upholstery fabrics, drapery materials, and decorator textiles for home projects and professional design work. The store stocks both domestic and imported fabrics, with an emphasis on quality materials for furniture reupholstering, window treatments, and interior design applications.

The store serves both individual sewers working on home projects and professional designers and decorators sourcing materials for clients. You can browse the inventory in person to feel fabric weight and drape, compare colors in natural light, and get recommendations from staff who understand how different materials perform in specific applications.

Mansure & Co also carries trim, notions, and finishing materials that coordinate with their fabric selection, so you can complete a project without making multiple stops around Charleston.

Key Takeaways

• Mansure & Co stocks upholstery, drapery, and decorator fabrics suitable for home reupholstering, window treatments, and interior design projects.
• The store carries both domestic and imported materials, allowing you to compare quality and price for different project budgets.
• Shopping in person lets you evaluate fabric weight, color, and drape before committing to yardage for a large project.
• Staff can advise on fabric performance for specific uses, such as durability for high-traffic furniture or light-blocking properties for bedrooms.
• The store also stocks coordinating trims and notions, reducing the number of stops needed to complete a sewing or upholstering project.

Types of fabrics and materials available

Mansure & Co carries a range of fabric weights and fiber contents. Upholstery fabrics include heavyweight wovens, performance fabrics designed to resist staining and wear, and traditional natural-fiber options like linen and wool blends. Drapery fabrics range from lightweight sheers to blackout materials and jacquard weaves suitable for formal window treatments.

Decorator textiles include accent fabrics for pillows, wall coverings, and mixed-media projects. The inventory changes seasonally, so the specific patterns and colors available shift throughout the year. If you are working toward a particular color palette or style, visiting the store or calling ahead helps you confirm whether a specific type of fabric is currently in stock.

How to use Mansure & Co for your project

Start by visiting the store with measurements and photos of the space or furniture you are working with. Bring any existing paint chips, wood samples, or fabric swatches that need to coordinate with your new material. This helps you narrow choices and see how potential fabrics work with your existing décor.

If you are reupholstering furniture, bring the piece itself or detailed measurements and photos showing the condition and style. Staff can recommend fabrics that will hold up to the wear patterns of your specific furniture and suggest backing or batting options that affect the final appearance and durability.

For window treatments, measure your windows and note whether you need light-blocking properties, privacy, or purely decorative fabric. Different drapery weights and weaves perform differently depending on window size, sun exposure, and the look you want to achieve.

Pricing and yardage considerations

Fabric prices at Mansure & Co vary based on fiber content, origin, and pattern complexity. Imported designer fabrics typically cost more than domestic options, and performance fabrics designed to resist staining often carry a higher price than traditional natural fibers. The store sells fabric by the yard, so you pay only for what you need.

Before purchasing, calculate the yardage required for your project and add 10 to 15 percent extra to account for pattern matching, shrinkage, or mistakes during cutting and sewing. Staff can help you estimate yardage based on your measurements and the specific project type.

Working with designers and decorators

Mansure & Co serves professional designers and decorators who source fabrics for client projects. The store maintains relationships with design professionals and can often provide samples or special orders for larger projects. If you are working with a designer, they may have an account with the store or be able to source materials through their professional connections.

Designers also use Mansure & Co to match existing fabrics or find coordinating materials when clients want to refresh a room without replacing all furnishings. The store's combination of upholstery, drapery, and accent fabrics makes it possible to create a cohesive look across multiple elements in a single space.

Location and visiting the store

Mansure & Co is located in Charleston and operates during regular retail hours. The store is designed for browsing, so you can spend time examining different fabrics, comparing colors in daylight, and getting a feel for how materials drape and move. This hands-on approach is especially valuable for large purchases like upholstery yardage or custom drapery, where seeing the fabric in person before committing reduces the risk of disappointment.

If you have questions about a specific project or need recommendations before visiting, you can call the store and speak with staff who can guide you toward appropriate fabric types and help you prepare for an in-person visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order fabric samples to see at home before buying yardage?

Many fabric stores offer sample programs, though policies vary. Contact Mansure & Co directly to ask whether they provide samples and what the process involves. Seeing a sample in your own lighting and next to your existing furnishings helps you make confident decisions for larger purchases.

What should I bring when I visit to shop for upholstery fabric?

Bring measurements of your furniture, photos showing the current condition and style, and any coordinating colors or materials you need to match. If possible, bring a small piece of the existing fabric or a paint chip from the room. This helps staff recommend fabrics that will work with your space and withstand the wear your furniture receives.

Do I need to know how much yardage I need before I visit?

Not necessarily. Staff at Mansure & Co can help you calculate yardage based on your measurements and project type. Bring accurate measurements of your furniture or windows, and they can estimate how much fabric you will need, including extra for pattern matching or mistakes.

What is the difference between upholstery and drapery fabric?

Upholstery fabrics are typically heavier and more durable, designed to withstand repeated sitting and movement. Drapery fabrics are often lighter and chosen for how they hang and drape, though some performance drapery fabrics are also quite sturdy. The intended use determines which type of fabric works best for your project.

Can Mansure & Co help if I am working with a professional designer?

Yes. The store works with design professionals and can source materials for larger projects. If you are working with a designer, they may already have a relationship with Mansure & Co or can contact the store to source fabrics for your project.