Finding a fabric you love—maybe it's a classic Romo velvet or a specific linara weave—only to discover it's discontinued is a specific kind of headache. I've been on both sides of this. As the person processing orders for our office, I've seen designers panic, and I've had to explain to finance why a “favorite” fabric suddenly costs more to source.
There’s no single right answer here. Your best move depends entirely on your project, timeline, and budget. I’ve handled this for our team using three different approaches, and I’ll walk you through each one so you can figure out which fits your situation.
Scenario 1: The “Must-Have” Project (e.g., a Marriott Lobby Renovation)
This is the classic scenario: a large, visible project where the client has their heart set on a specific Romo pattern, say, one of their classic twills or a signature velvet. Maybe your interior designer has specified it, and the client loves the sample.
My advice? Start hunting before you start negotiating.
This isn't the time to bargain hunt. I only learned this after a painful lesson in 2023. A designer for one of our hotel projects had specified a discontinued Romo upholstery fabric. The client loved it. I found a 'cheaper' mill remnant online. The color was off by a shade. We had to reorder, and the project was delayed by two weeks. The client’s project manager was not happy.
For this scenario, your priority is volume and speed:
- Call a Romo showroom directly. They may have hidden stock or know of a distributor with leftover rolls. This is where the brand’s industry authority (showrooms, group presence) really pays off.
- Check the Romo Group website for a sample request. Even if it's discontinued, they might have a cut of the bolt they can send you to verify the color against the design spec.
- Verify the yardage. Don't assume a 'full roll' is full. (Should mention: we once ordered 60 yards of a '50-yard roll' that was actually 38. A quick call to the showroom saved us.)
Don't: Waste time trying to get a 'deal.' Your margin is the project staying on schedule.
Scenario 2: The “I Just Need a Few Yards” (Home Office Accent Chair)
This is the opposite scenario. You’re an admin like me, or a small business owner, and you need just 3-5 yards of that discontinued Romo knit for a single piece of furniture. Maybe you’re making a knit fabric dress for yourself and fell in love with the pattern.
Here, your best bet is the secondary market.
Think of it like sourcing a rare spare part. You’re not buying a production run; you’re buying a remnant. I’ve had success with:
- Fabric-specific marketplaces (like Fabric.com or Etsy). Search for 'Romo discontinued fabric' + the pattern name.
- Local or regional fabric warehouses. I once found a discontinued Romo twill at a place in Chicago that mostly sells to furniture makers. They had one roll left.
- Online auction sites. But only for small quantities. The risk of color variation is higher, but for a single chair, it's worth it. (Oh, and check the return policy. Buyers on those sites often don't accept returns on remnants.)
A word on a common misconception: Don't assume that because it's discontinued, it's cheap. A discontinued Romo velvet from a popular collection might still command a premium from specialty sellers. I once saw a yard of a sought-after pattern go for $89 on eBay—$15 more than the original retail price.
One more thing: If you’re planning on using acrylic paint on fabric, please test it on a scrap of the discontinued Romo first. Some of their higher-end weaves are treated with finishes that might not take paint well. (I really should do a write-up on that.)
Scenario 3: The “Let’s Repurpose” Project (Using What We Have)
This is the most common scenario in my experience: you have a few yards of a discontinued Romo fabric in your stock—maybe a leftover from a previous project—and you need to find a new use for it. Maybe it's a roll of their linara fabric that was supposed to be for a hotel room but the plan changed.
My suggestion: Don't just 'use it up.' Re-evaluate its purpose.
A discontinued Romo fabric isn't useless; it's just not for its original intended purpose. I’ve seen our team turn a discontinued outdoor fabric into a beautiful set of throw pillows for a model suite. The key is to think about the fabric’s physical properties, not its pattern name.
Consider these options:
- Sample program. If you're a designer, use that leftover yardage as a framed sample for your next client meeting. “Here’s a beautiful Romo texture from a few years ago...” It shows you have a deep knowledge of their legacy collections.
- Small projects. Lampshades, small ottomans, or even a padded headboard. The fabric becomes a conversation piece because it’s no longer available.
- Swatch exchange. I once traded a full roll of a discontinued Romo twill with a local furniture maker for a dozen of their custom sample books. It worked out for both of us.
What about sustainability? This ties directly into the conversation around sustainable thermoplastic textile innovations. By using a discontinued fabric, you’re keeping it out of a landfill. It’s a small act, but it's part of a larger, more responsible supply chain.
How to Know Which Scenario You’re In
Here’s the decision guide I use when our team finds a discontinued Romo fabric:
- Ask: “Is the fabric already committed to a specific, large-scale project?”
If yes, you’re in Scenario 1. Stop reading and start calling showrooms. - Ask: “Do I need a small quantity (3-10 yards) for a single use?”
If yes, you’re in Scenario 2. Focus on the secondary market and price verification. - Ask: “Is this a random leftover with no immediate purpose?”
If yes, you’re in Scenario 3. You have an opportunity for creative reuse. Don’t rush to order more of a discontinued line.
The other question I ask our team: “Would the original project benefit from a substitute from a current collection?” An informed customer (or team member) asks better questions. I’d rather spend 10 minutes explaining the options than dealing with a project that's stalled because we can't source a discontinued fabric.
There’s no magic wand for discontinued fabrics, but with a clear head and a bit of resourcefulness, you can usually find a path forward. It just depends on your situation.