fabric guide
Gabriel Vienna Fabric Guide: Colours, Uses and How to Order
What Gabriel Vienna upholstery fabric is, how to read its colour numbers, where it works best and how to order Vienna cushions.
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Updated October 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft
Quick answer: Gabriel Vienna is a 100% polyester upholstery fabric from Gabriel, a Danish textile maker founded in 1851. It has a quiet, even texture and is built for indoor seating with heavy daily use, such as window benches and kitchen banquettes. Each colour has a five-digit number whose first two digits hint at the colour family. Fabrica Kraft makes Vienna cushions to any size as a pre-order with an 8–12 week lead time.
Some fabrics are chosen for a showpiece sofa. Gabriel Vienna is chosen for the seat that gets used every single day: the window bench where the kids do homework, the stool at the cutting table, the banquette by the kitchen. This guide explains what Vienna is, how to read its colour numbers, where it works best, and how to order Vienna cushions without guessing.
The short answer
Gabriel Vienna is a 100% polyester upholstery fabric from Gabriel, a Danish textile maker founded in 1851. It has a quiet, even texture and is made for indoor seating that sees heavy daily use. Each Vienna colour has a five-digit number, such as 61235 or 68092, and the first two digits give you a rough idea of the colour family. At Fabrica Kraft we make Vienna into custom cushions, covers and pillows in any size or shape, as a pre-order with an 8–12 week lead time.
Who makes Vienna?
Gabriel started in 1851 as Kjærs Mølle, a water-powered wool mill outside Aalborg in northern Denmark. It made woolen clothing first and moved into upholstery fabrics in the early 1900s, according to Gabriel's own history. The company marks its 175th anniversary in 2026 and is still based in Aalborg.
Gabriel is best known for contract fabrics: the upholstery you sit on in offices, hotels, libraries and hospitals. Contract fabrics are built to keep their colour and stay tidy under far more use than a typical living-room chair gets. That background is why Vienna suits hard-working home seating too.
What Vienna is like
| Detail | Gabriel Vienna |
|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% polyester |
| Designed in | Denmark |
| Look | Understated, even texture; reads as a solid colour from a distance |
| Strengths | Strong abrasion resistance and stable colour |
| Use | Indoor seating |
| Colours on our site | 45 Vienna colourways |
| Lead time | 8–12 weeks, by quote |
Polyester matters here. It is strong, it doesn't shrink or stretch much, and it holds dye well, so a polyester upholstery fabric tends to look the same after years of use. It also cleans more easily than many natural fibres. The trade-off is that polyester doesn't have the soft, springy hand of wool. If you want a warmer, softer feel for a lounge chair, look at a wool fabric such as Gabriel Select instead.
Need exact test data? If your project needs a rub count, a fire certificate or an environmental label (common for offices, schools and hotels), ask us for the Vienna technical sheet before you order. Don't rely on general numbers for a commercial specification.
How to read Vienna colour numbers
Gabriel uses five-digit colour numbers that start with 6, and the same numbering runs across its ranges. Gabriel doesn't publish a key, but colour cards and reseller listings show a clear pattern: the second digit roughly tracks the colour family.
| Number starts with | Rough colour family | Vienna examples |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Grays, black, white | 60003, 60215 |
| 61 | Beiges and browns | 61141, 61156, 61230, 61235, 61436 |
| 62 | Yellows and mustards | 62002, 62086 |
| 64 | Reds, pinks, burgundy | 64187 |
| 66–67 | Blues, turquoise, some greens | Check the swatch |
| 68 | Greens | 68092, 68245, 68246 |
Treat this as a shortcut, not a rule. There are exceptions, and a "61" can be anything from oatmeal to chocolate. The colour number tells you where to start looking. Your own eyes, in your own light, tell you whether it's right.
Where Vienna works best
- Window seats and benches. Daily sitting, bags dropped on them, feet tucked up. Vienna's tight texture handles that without looking worn. Build one with our bench cushion builder.
- Kitchen banquettes. A dining seat needs a firm, steady fabric. Pair Vienna with Luxury foam at 1″ to 3″ for dining height. See banquette cushions.
- Craft rooms, studios and home offices. Work stools and long benches by a desk or cutting table.
- Small businesses. Waiting areas, studio benches and reception seating, where you want contract-style durability without buying a whole run of new furniture. See our trade program.
Vienna is an indoor fabric. For porches, pool decks and boats, choose Sunbrella instead.
Choosing a Vienna colour without regret
- Start with the room, not the screen. Pick two or three candidates from the same colour family on the Gabriel upholstery collection.
- Ask for samples. Screens shift colours, especially beiges and greens. Email care@fabricakraft.com with the numbers you are considering.
- Check in daylight and at night. A warm beige under morning light can turn pink under warm bulbs.
- Go one shade darker for heavy-use seats. Mid-tones hide daily wear better than very pale colours.
Caring for Vienna cushions
- Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to lift dust and grit, which is what wears fabric down over time.
- Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth. Don't rub.
- For marks, follow Gabriel's care guidance for polyester fabrics and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
- Every Fabrica Kraft cover has a zipper, so you can take it off for professional cleaning.
How to order Vienna cushions
Pick your colour in the Gabriel upholstery collection, then choose what you are making: a seat cushion, a back cushion, a cover only or a pillow. Enter your sizes and request a quote, and we reply within one business day. Gabriel is a pre-order fabric: we order it from the mill for your piece, so the lead time is 8–12 weeks, confirmed on your quote. We cut every cushion to within ±0.5″ of the size you order, and if we miss that, we remake it free. For larger or commercial orders, send a bulk enquiry.
See also our guides to durable upholstery fabrics and measuring a window seat cushion.
FAQ
How long do Gabriel Vienna cushions take?
8–12 weeks. Vienna is ordered from the mill for each piece, and your quote confirms the date.
Is Gabriel Vienna good for families and pets?
It is a hard-wearing polyester with a tight texture, which makes it a practical choice for busy homes. No woven fabric is fully claw-proof, so keep pets' nails trimmed.
Can I use Vienna outdoors?
No. Vienna is an indoor fabric. Use Sunbrella for outdoor cushions.
Why is Vienna 61235 different from 61230?
They are different colours in the same family. Both start with 61, so both are in the beige-to-brown range, but the last three digits mark a different shade.
Can you make shaped Vienna cushions?
Yes. L-shapes, trapezoids, curves and clipped corners are all possible. See custom shaped cushions.
