The Fabric Library had its beginnings in 1965 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 change resulted in the transformation of distribution of fabrics in South Africa, such that 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 that The Fabric Library registered. The demand was such that in partnership with a Swedish weaver, Svenmill, was established. This company 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.

Today, The Fabric Library remains one of the largest and most recognisable fabric houses in South Africa distributing furnishing fabrics to all sectors of the market including the contract market. The Fabric Library is also the exclusive distributor of some of the world’s foremost international fabric brands such as Osborne & Little, Fabricut and Clark & Clark.

The Fabric Library is proud to consistently offer good quality products at competitive prices and to anticipate the demands of the market.