Bob Lester's Upholstery in Oklahoma City: Full-Service Fabric and Upholstery Supply for DIY and Trade
Bob Lester's Upholstery is a fabric retailer and upholstery supply shop on Northwest 23rd Street that stocks upholstery textiles, foam, webbing, springs, and hardware for both home projects and professional upholsterers. It functions as a working supplier rather than a design-focused showroom, catering to customers who already know what they need or who want guidance on materials for existing pieces.
What Bob Lester's Upholstery actually is
The shop carries inventory organized by material type: upholstery-weight fabrics (vinyl, microsuede, traditional woven), batting, high-density foam in multiple densities, burlap, jute webbing, and metal springs. The space serves both individuals reupholstering a single chair at home and local upholsterers who source materials regularly. Unlike fabric stores that stock quilting cotton or apparel yardage, this shop focuses exclusively on weight and durability specifications that matter for seating and furniture repair. The atmosphere is functional and materials-focused rather than retail-polished.
Fabrics, foam, and supplies: what's in stock and pricing
Bob Lester's carries upholstery-grade fabrics starting around $12 to $18 per yard for vinyl and performance fabrics, moving into the $20 to $35 range for woven upholstery textiles. Natural fabrics like linen and wool blends run higher. Foam density options include 1.8 lb, 2.0 lb, and 2.5 lb densities, priced per sheet or slab; high-resilience (HR) foam is also available for projects requiring longer durability. Webbing, burlap, and hardware (legs, casters, nails, tacks) round out the supply. The shop does not typically quote prices over the phone; material selection and pricing depend on specific yardage and project details, so visiting in person or calling with exact measurements is necessary.
How Bob Lester's compares to other fabric options in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City has limited full-service upholstery suppliers. Joann Fabric locations carry some upholstery fabric and foam but emphasize quilting and craft supplies; their upholstery selection is narrower and oriented toward lighter projects. The Fabric Factory on North Western Avenue carries heavier fabrics but skews toward bridal and craft use rather than furniture repair. For upholsterers and serious DIYers, Bob Lester's stock depth and focus on weight specifications make it a more direct source. Online retailers like Sailrite or Etsy sellers offer broader fabric variety and home delivery but require shipping time and guesswork on texture and hand. Bob Lester's suits anyone reupholstering locally and wanting to feel fabric in person before committing yardage, or anyone who needs materials same-day.
Who this shop suits and who it does not
This shop is a good fit for homeowners planning a chair or sofa reupholstery project, people learning upholstery as a hobby, and professional upholsterers on regular supply runs. It suits customers who already have a piece at home and know roughly what they need, or who are willing to describe their project and take staff recommendations. It is not a destination for decorating consultation, design services, or high-end fabric curation. If you are choosing among dozens of designer collections or want a designer to coordinate fabric with your room, furniture retailers with fabric lines or interior design services are a better fit. Bob Lester's assumes basic knowledge of upholstery terms (webbing, burlap, foam density) or willingness to ask questions and learn.
First visit: what to expect
Walk in with measurements and, if possible, a photo or description of your piece (chair, ottoman, sofa). Staff can point you toward appropriate weight fabric for seating versus pillows, recommend foam densities for different comfort needs, and show you webbing and support materials. If you're new to upholstery, take time to ask; the shop is accustomed to DIYers. Bring swatches or fabric samples if you're considering color matching. Many customers buy material, leave, and return after completing part of the work if they discover they need additional supplies. There is no design consultation fee or appointment requirement; it's a walk-in retail environment.
Hours, parking, and location
Bob Lester's is located on Northwest 23rd Street. The shop operates on a standard weekday schedule; confirm current hours by phone, as small retail operations occasionally adjust seasonally. Parking is street-level or lot-adjacent. The location is accessible from the Uptown area and convenient for anyone on the northwest side of the city. Plan 30 to 45 minutes for a first visit if you are selecting fabric and materials; repeat customers often finish in 15 minutes.
Bob Lester's fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's home-repair ecosystem: it is the place to source materials for upholstery work when you want them immediately and want to evaluate quality in person. For locals committed to furniture repair or upholstery projects, it is more practical than shipping costs and delivery waits.
