Are you a fabric sample junkie like me? I’ve got more baskets and drawers and messy piles of them than I care to admit. You never know when one of the samples from your stash will be the perfect one for a project down the road (at least that’s how I justify my hoarding :).
So as you can imagine, I’m not a girl to pass up free fabric samples. And I’m also not a girl to keep such deals to myself – I got an email from Calico Corners over the weekend that through this Wednesday (7/9/14), they are offering up to four 5″ x 5″ fabric swatches with free shipping when you use the code FREESHIP at checkout.
Now the only question is which samples to choose. Some of my favorites from looking around Calico Corners’ online site include the fabrics from their Journey collection,

particularly these two:
![]() |
Nomad Flamenco |
![]() |
Tom Filicia Citysquare (Terratone) |
And from their Damana collection,

I’m loving this blue lattice:
![]() |
Iman Sultana Lattice (Luna) |
Being a neutral-loving gal, the Pen Pal collection also caught my eye,

especially this Nate Berkus fabric:
![]() |
Nate Berkus Desi (Obsidian) |
And I’ve been eyeing some fabrics from the Cachepot collection for a while now:

especially these two fun fabrics:
![]() |
Cachepot Hyacinth |
![]() |
Seeing Spots (Wasabi) |
Other fabrics I’m digging are:
![]() |
Mia Multi |
![]() |
Robert Allen Lighten Up (Lemongrass) |
![]() |
City People (Stone) |
![]() |
Ralph Lauren Koi (Indigo) |
![]() |
Nate Berkus Birnback (Coral) |
![]() |
Azaka Quartz |
![]() |
Nate Berkus El Toro (Aquamarine) |
Did you see anything that you’d like to add to your sample stash?

I’ve been wanting to look for fabric for some faux roman blinds for the playroom. At 9mo pregnant this isnt’ happening too well. I think you just did my shopping for me 😉 Totally hitting up calico’s later.
I love that Nate Berkus El Toro. It is so versatile! More fabric swatches I do not need! I wish Calico would go back to their old plan of stocking fabrics. It was a great resource for decorators who need fabric quickly. I find I rarely use them now.
Ooh! Some favorites here for me too!! I am especially liking that Mia Multi. Thanks for sharing the info. I can’t wait to go pick out some samples! 🙂
I could look at beautiful fabric all day! Great picks!
Thanks for the great tip! Joann’s was selling all of their display samples for $1 last year and I snagged just a “few.” They are the perfect size for all sorts of projects! Heading over to Calico now.
Such great combos! I’m a little spoiled because of the store here, the samples they let you check out are 1 yard, and though I have to return them it makes it so much easier than looking at a 5″ swatch.
Oooh fun. I am heading over there right now. Did you find anything for your office???
Fabulous! I want that Robert Allen Lighten Up in lemongrass!! And a few more 🙂 Will have to stop by Calico when we get back. There is one close to our home in DC. xo
The Mia Multi fabric is GORGEOUS!
I’ve seen that one in person – it’s so pretty!!
Fun samples you have here!!
I’ve used the Robert Allen Lighten Up and that’s a nice one. It’s a little bohemian but still real classic too. And as much as I love color, the neutrals here are really drawing me in.
I head the buying group for the Calico stores–and I want to respond to the designer who wished Calico still stocked large bolts of fabric in the stores. We changed our merchandising strategy several years ago to feature mini-bolts and large hanging samples (27″ square) so that we could be more fashion forward.
This has also enabled us to triple our selection of fabrics that are stocked in our warehouse and shipped out within one business day. In addition, Calico has a speed-to-market advantage because we can get new designs to our stores within 8-12 weeks, while it takes book jobbers 12-18 months to create and distribute new books. If it’s great design, you’ll see it first at Calico!
And as noted, we’re happy to send fabrics home on approval for 24-48 hours so that you can see large samples in the room with your other furnishings, art and lighting.
Everything? but my faves are from the Damana collection!