The company had its beginnings in 1965, and was in those days an indent business specializing in furnishing fabrics, imported mainly from the UK and Sweden. As the business grew it became apparent that the Company should begin to hold stock of its ranges locally. This subtle change resulted in a change in distribution of fabrics in South Africa, as The Fabric Library then produced sample books, broadened the customer base, and the advent of "Cut-length" sales became the norm. Cut-length was thus pioneered in South Africa by The Fabric Library.

At this time one of the main fabrics being imported by The Fabric Library was an acrylic open weave curtain known as Sunfilter - a name which The Fabric Library registered. The demand was such that in partnership with a Swedish weaver, Sven Engdahl, a mill, Svenmill, was established. This was sold in 1969 and became a public listed company.

The Fabric Library was now able to concentrate on marketing and distributing their own converted product, i.e. subcontracting the production of their own exclusive designs to the mills. This focus allowed The Fabric Library to grow rapidly over the next 3 decades to position themselves as leaders in the distribution of middle to upper-end furnishing fabrics.

A custom designed building was built in 1985 in Midrand, just outside Johannesburg. Many other fabric houses have now located their Head Offices to within 1km of this building, which by then became the Mecca of furnishing fabrics in South Africa.

The following year the company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and formed the Homemakers Group, which was a division of Waco International. Subsequently, in 2001, the Homemakers Group was purchased by Courthiel Holdings (Pty) Limited, who are the current owners of The Fabric Library.

A further development in 1996 allowed The Fabric Library to enter the International market with the formation of Fabric Library International in Sydney, and the appointment of a distributor in the UK - Orchard Fabrics.

With the knowledge gained in trading internationally, The Fabric Library is well set up to service any international markets. The Company can offer not only a huge range of products at competitive prices, but since we hold stock in our modern Warehouse, no minimums are required.

The Fabric Library today is truly an international producer of middle to upper-end furnishing fabrics, as well as sole distributors in South Africa of some of the world's foremost international furnishing fabric houses.

The Fabric Library is also a major supplier of fabrics to the contract market in South Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean Islands. These include Sun City, The Blue Train, and numerous refurbishment's for the large Hotel chains.