Stretch Polyester

.

Stretch Polyester Platform Cloth and Hook-Receptive Fabric

Shop stretch polyester platform cloth and hook-and-loop receptive fabric for cushion undersides, fixed furniture platforms, shaped upholstery, removable panels and other professional furniture-lining applications.

Livedale supplies woven polyester stretch lining in beige, brown and grey, together with black brushed-nylon receptive cloth designed to engage with the hook side of compatible hook-and-loop tape.

These specialist upholstery materials may also be described as:

• Stretch platform cloth
• Polyester upholstery lining
• Stretch cushion backing
• Flexible furniture lining
• Cushion underside fabric
• Sofa platform lining
• Elasticated upholstery cloth
• Loop-receptive fabric
• Hook-compatible cloth
• Brushed-nylon loop fabric

The stretch polyester is thinner and more flexible than conventional cotton platform cloth, allowing it to follow curves, contours and shaped furniture sections more easily. The black receptive cloth performs a different role, providing a broad loop surface to which compatible hook tape can attach.

Shop Stretch Platform and Receptive Cloth

The range includes:

• 54″ Beige Stretch Polyester Platform Lining Cloth
• 54″ Brown Stretch Polyester Platform Lining Cloth
• 54″ Grey Stretch Polyester Platform Lining Cloth
• 60″ Black Hook-and-Loop Receptive Cloth

Choose stretch polyester where a flexible lining needs to form around shaped upholstery.

Choose hook-receptive cloth where cushions, covers or panels need to engage with compatible hook fastening.

54″ Stretch Polyester Platform Lining Cloth

The woven polyester platform cloth is:

• 54″ wide
• Thinner than conventional cotton platform cloth
• Slightly stretchy
• Suitable for cushion undersides
• Suitable for fixed furniture platforms
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 120-metre roll
• Offered in beige, brown and grey

Its flexibility makes it useful where a rigid woven lining could crease, gather or create bulky folds.

Potential applications include:

• Sofa platforms
• Armchair platforms
• Seat-cushion undersides
• Back-cushion reverse panels
• Curved seat sections
• Rounded furniture arms
• Shaped upholstery panels
• Caravan cushions
• Campervan seating
• Motorhome cushions
• Headboards
• Furniture interiors

The cloth can stretch sufficiently to assist fitting, but it should still be measured, cut and positioned carefully. Do not assume the material will compensate for an inaccurate pattern or an incorrectly sized cushion.

Beige Stretch Polyester Platform Cloth

The 54″ Beige Stretch Polyester Cushion and Platform Lining provides a pale neutral option for lighter upholstery schemes.

It may coordinate well with:

• Cream furniture
• Beige upholstery
• Natural linen-style fabrics
• Pale brown covers
• Fawn cushion borders
• Light caravan interiors
• Neutral campervan seating

Beige is particularly useful where a dark platform cloth could remain visible around pale loose cushions or through small gaps between upholstered sections.

The material is available:

• By the linear metre
• As a 120-metre workshop roll

Brown Stretch Polyester Platform Cloth

The 54″ Brown Stretch Polyester Cushion and Platform Lining provides a practical colour for traditional and earth-toned furniture.

It may suit:

• Brown upholstery
• Tan and beige furniture
• Leather-style seating
• Traditional sofas and chairs
• Exposed timber frames
• Caravan and motorhome cushions
• Neutral furniture interiors

Brown provides a softer alternative to black while remaining discreet beneath many dark or natural-coloured cushion covers.

The material is available:

• By the linear metre
• As a 120-metre workshop roll

Grey Stretch Polyester Platform Cloth

The 54″ Grey Stretch Polyester Cushion and Platform Lining provides a versatile contemporary neutral.

It may coordinate with:

• Light-grey upholstery
• Charcoal furniture
• Blue-grey fabrics
• Modern sofa covers
• Contemporary campervan interiors
• Neutral window-seat cushions
• Commercial-style furniture

Grey can blend effectively beneath both light and dark cushion fabrics and is often less visually severe than black.

The material is available:

• By the linear metre
• As a 120-metre workshop roll

Stretch Platform Cloth for Cushion Undersides

Stretch polyester is commonly used as the hidden underside panel of a removable cushion cover.

Potential applications include:

• Sofa seat cushions
• Armchair cushions
• Loose back cushions
• Window-seat cushions
• Bench seating
• Caravan cushions
• Campervan bed cushions
• Motorhome seating

Using specialist lining fabric on the underside can:

• Reduce the amount of expensive face fabric required
• Clearly identify the cushion base
• Create a neat professional finish
• Provide flexibility around shaped cushion borders
• Coordinate with the fixed furniture platform
• Make the cover easier to fit over some shaped interiors

The base panel should still be cut to the correct dimensions and sewn evenly into the cushion border.

Allow for:

• Seam allowances
• Zip position
• Cushion thickness
• Curved corners
• Foam compression
• The direction in which the cloth stretches most readily

Test the stretch direction before cutting. Keep matching cushion panels orientated consistently so they behave similarly during sewing and use.

Stretch Cloth for Fixed Furniture Platforms

Platform cloth covers the area directly beneath removable seat or back cushions.

It may help:

• Conceal springs and webbing
• Cover internal foam and fillings
• Provide a clean finished surface
• Protect the upholstery beneath
• Reduce rubbing against internal components
• Improve the appearance when cushions are removed

Stretch polyester can be particularly useful where the platform contains:

• Rounded front edges
• Shaped corners
• Curved seat sections
• Changes in level
• Contoured foam
• Irregular furniture profiles

Its flexibility can reduce the need for large pleats or bulky folded corners.

The finished cloth should be smooth and secure without being stretched so tightly that it becomes transparent, distorts the furniture or places excessive strain on the fixings.

Stretch Polyester for Curves and Contours

Unlike a rigid cotton or poly-cotton platform cloth, stretch polyester can adapt more readily around:

• Curved arms
• Rounded bolsters
• Shaped headboards
• Contoured seat platforms
• Furniture edges
• Recessed panels
• Complex internal sections
• Caravan and motorhome cushions

A practical fitting process is:

1. Identify the direction and amount of stretch.
2. Position the fabric over the complete section.
3. Align the cloth before applying tension.
4. Fix the centre of the straightest edge.
5. Work towards the opposite side.
6. Stretch only enough to remove wrinkles.
7. Shape curves gradually.
8. Distribute the tension evenly.
9. Secure the corners.
10. Trim surplus material after checking the finished shape.

Pulling heavily from one point can distort the weave and create uneven tension.

60″ Black Hook-and-Loop Receptive Cloth

The 60″ Black Hook-and-Loop Receptive Upholstery Cloth is a brushed-nylon material designed to engage with the hook side of compatible hook-and-loop tape.

It is:

• Black
• 60″ wide
• Brushed nylon
• Receptive across its usable surface
• Suitable for platforms and cushion bases
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 100-metre roll

This material may also be known as:

• Loop-receptive cloth
• Hook-compatible upholstery fabric
• Brushed loop cloth
• Touch-fastener receptive fabric
• Cushion-retaining loop fabric
• Removable-panel fastening cloth

Rather than sewing narrow loop tape onto every possible fixing position, a broad receptive panel allows compatible hook tape to engage across a larger area.

Hook-Receptive Cloth for Cushion Bases

The black receptive cloth can be fitted to the underside of suitable cushions where a more positive removable fixing is required.

Potential uses include:

• Sofa cushions
• Campervan cushions
• Motorhome seating
• Caravan cushions
• Boat cushions
• Window seats
• Bench seating
• Removable upholstered pads

Compatible hook tape may be fixed to the furniture platform, allowing the cushion’s receptive base to engage with it.

This can help reduce:

• Forward cushion movement
• Sideways sliding
• Gaps between cushions
• Movement in leisure vehicles
• Repeated cushion repositioning

The cushion remains removable, provided the hook-and-loop fixing is positioned and specified appropriately.

Browse Hook-and-Loop Upholstery Tape for associated fastening products.

Test the chosen hook tape against the cloth before completing the full installation. Hook strength and compatibility can differ between fastening products.

Hook-Receptive Cloth for Removable Panels

The material may also be used on suitable removable upholstery and trim panels.

Potential applications include:

• Headboards
• Upholstered wall panels
• Campervan trim panels
• Automotive interior panels
• Exhibition displays
• Access covers
• Modular furniture
• Replaceable decorative panels

A broad receptive surface provides flexibility when aligning the panel with strips or patches of hook tape.

When designing removable panels, consider:

• Panel weight
• Number of fastening points
• Required removal force
• Frequency of removal
• Direction of loading
• Position of the hook tape
• Support from the surrounding frame

Hook-and-loop fastening should not be relied upon as the sole support for a heavy panel unless the complete fixing method has been designed for the load.

Hook-Receptive Cloth or Standard Loop Tape?

Choose broad receptive cloth where:

• A large engagement area is required
• The exact hook position may vary
• A complete cushion base is being manufactured
• Removable panels need flexible alignment
• The receptive surface should form part of the upholstery panel

Choose conventional loop tape where:

• Only a narrow fixing strip is needed
• A defined attachment position is preferred
• The loop component must be sewn or fixed to a small area
• Using full-width receptive cloth would be unnecessary

Both options require a compatible hook component.

Receptive Cloth or Anti-Slip Cloth?

Hook-receptive cloth and anti-slip cloth reduce movement in different ways.

Choose hook-receptive cloth where:

• A positive removable fastening is required
• Hook tape can be fitted to the platform
• The cushion repeatedly slides or lifts
• Vehicle or modular seating needs firmer retention
• The cushion base is being newly manufactured

Choose Anti-Slip Cushion and Mattress Cloth where:

• A removable grip layer is preferred
• No sewing or permanent fastening is wanted
• Existing cushions need a simple solution
• The principal problem is light sliding during use

Anti-slip cloth increases friction. Hook-and-loop material creates a mechanical attachment.

Stretch Polyester or Cotton Platform Cloth?

Choose stretch polyester where:

• Curves and contours need covering
• A thinner lining is preferred
• A degree of flexibility is useful
• The cloth will form a cushion underside
• Complex furniture shapes need a smoother finish

Choose Cotton and Poly-Cotton Platform Cloth where:

• A conventional woven platform surface is preferred
• The platform is predominantly flat
• A firmer and less stretchy cloth is required
• A traditional furniture lining is being replaced
• A broader choice of cotton-style finishes is needed

The original furniture construction can help indicate which material is most appropriate.

Stretch Polyester or Needle-Punch Fabric?

Choose stretch polyester where:

• Flexibility around shaped sections is the main priority
• A thinner woven lining is preferred
• The material must follow curves
• A smooth platform or cushion base is required

Choose Needle-Punch Upholstery Fabric where:

• A felt-like non-woven material is preferred
• Greater body and abrasion resistance are useful
• A non-fraying cushion backing is required
• Caravan and motorhome cushions are being manufactured
• Spring coverings or pull strips are planned

Measuring Stretch Upholstery Cloth

The stretch polyester products are 54″ wide. The hook-receptive cloth is 60″ wide.

Before ordering:

1. Measure every platform or cushion panel.
2. Include seam and fixing allowances.
3. Identify the direction of stretch.
4. Check the widest point of shaped sections.
5. Allow material for curves and contours.
6. Plan matching cushion panels consistently.
7. Include test pieces.
8. Add an allowance for cutting waste.
9. Include any removable panels.
10. Confirm whether metre lengths or a full roll are required.

Do not deliberately order undersized panels on the assumption that the cloth can simply be stretched to fit. Excessive stretch may weaken seams, distort the panel or reduce coverage.

Buying by the Metre or Full Roll

The stretch platform cloths are available:

• By the metre
• As 120-metre rolls

The black receptive cloth is available:

• By the metre
• As a 100-metre roll

Order by the metre for:

• Individual furniture repairs
• A small number of cushions
• Prototype or sample work
• Occasional upholstery projects

Choose a full roll for:

• Furniture manufacturing
• Cushion production
• Campervan conversion work
• Regular upholstery repairs
• Commercial panel manufacture
• Workshop stock

Store rolls clean, dry and protected from crushing, sharp objects and adhesive overspray.

Cutting Stretch Platform Cloth

Use sharp Upholstery Shears and Fabric-Cutting Tools.

Before cutting:

• Lay the material flat without tension
• Identify the stretch direction
• Mark the finished panel accurately
• Add seam or fixing allowances
• Keep matching pieces orientated alike
• Avoid stretching the cloth while marking
• Label cushion tops, bottoms and fronts
• Prepare a cutting layout to reduce waste

Allow the fabric to relax after unrolling before taking final measurements.

Cutting while the material is stretched can produce panels that contract and become too small.

Sewing Stretch Polyester and Receptive Cloth

Use a suitable upholstery sewing machine, needle and thread.

Browse Upholstery Sewing Threads and Barbobs.

Before sewing:

1. Prepare a test seam.
2. Check the direction of stretch.
3. Select an appropriate needle.
4. Use a practical stitch length.
5. Adjust the presser-foot pressure.
6. Set the thread tension.
7. Prevent one layer stretching ahead of the other.
8. Test the seam after sewing.

When joining stretch cloth to a non-stretch upholstery fabric, feed both materials carefully to avoid rippling or an uneven finished panel.

Do not pull the fabric through the sewing machine.

Stapling Stretch Platform Cloth

Stretch polyester may be fixed to suitable timber frames using upholstery staples.

Browse:

• Upholstery Staples
• Pneumatic Upholstery Guns and Tackers

A practical fitting sequence is:

1. Position the cloth centrally.
2. Align the material without stretching.
3. Fix one centre point.
4. Apply light tension to the opposite edge.
5. Secure the remaining centres.
6. Work gradually towards the corners.
7. Distribute stretch evenly.
8. Check curves for wrinkles.
9. Complete the fixing line.
10. Trim excess cloth carefully.

Place staples far enough from the cut edge to reduce the risk of the material pulling away.

Fire Performance

The stretch platform cloth product pages state compliance with:

• BS 5852 Schedule 4 Part 2
• BS 5852 Schedule 5 Part 3

The cloth must still be used as part of a correctly specified upholstery construction.

The fire performance of completed furniture may also depend on:

• Outer cover fabric
• Foam
• Fillings
• Barrier interliner
• Thread
• Adhesives
• Fixings
• Upholstery construction
• Permanent fire labels
• Intended domestic or contract use

Do not assume that the black hook-receptive cloth has the same fire performance unless its individual specification or supporting documentation confirms it.

Browse Calico, Cambric and Crib 5 Upholstery Interliners where a certified barrier material is required.

Related Furniture Lining Materials

Browse:

• Platform Cloth, Base Cloth and Furniture Linings
• Cotton and Poly-Cotton Platform Cloth
• Needle-Punch Upholstery Fabric
• Corovin, Dipryl and Furniture Base Cloth
• Anti-Slip Cushion and Mattress Cloth

Choose each material according to its position, required flexibility, appearance, fixing method and level of contact.

Trade Stretch Polyester and Receptive Cloth

Livedale supplies stretch platform cloth and black hook-and-loop receptive fabric to upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, cushion makers, campervan converters, automotive trimmers and professional repair workshops throughout the UK.

The range includes:

• Beige 54″ stretch platform cloth
• Brown 54″ stretch platform cloth
• Grey 54″ stretch platform cloth
• Black 60″ hook-receptive cloth
• Material by the metre
• 100-metre and 120-metre workshop rolls

Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Choose stretch polyester for flexible cushion and platform lining, or receptive cloth where a removable hook-and-loop attachment is required.