Is it actual pilling that the fabric is doing? It's hard to tell from the picture. If it is pilling, a fabric shaver will remove those pills and refresh the appearance.

Have you thought about trying a fabric shaver (for fabric pilling) on it?

Not an equal comparison, but we have many wood pieces of Ethan Allen furniture throughout our home. Some of it purchased 20 years ago and some purchased within the last few years. Our newer pieces are not near the quality of our older pieces. Such a shame!

Looks like the fabric is pilling. You could try a fabric shaver.

Have you tried contacting Ethan Allen about the problem?

Izeve, OP mentioned they take no responsibility.

Sorry for this disappointment. Try the shaver as above. When you use the sofa, have a soft throw handy to cover the rough patches.

I agree that Ethan Allen now is very different. That said I just purchased a sofa and chairs for a second home.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've tried using a quality lint removing tool - and while it took off the top layer of rough pills, the underlying fabric remains rough and nothing you want to curl up on. And as a Vermonter, we're proud of EA's roots here in the state, but very disappointing that EA's customer service is so poor.

I've used a brass suede brush successfully on pilled and matted polyester. You could try a small unobtrusive area. Use a gentle touch to brush the matted fibers straight without digging into the good fabric below the mats. The smooth fibers will gradually pill up again into smaller pills you can remove with your favorite de-pilling tool. Repeat as needed.

The structure of furniture will usually be under warranty for so many years, but fabric never is (maybe up to a year at most), because they don't make the fabric. Fabric quality has gone downhill in recent years, so you can't blame furniture makers. Even when the quality was excellent, they only warranted it for no more than a year.

The reason it's pilling is because of the fabric content. Synthetics, like polyester and cotton blends (usually with synthetics) are the culprit.

I really am grateful for all of these helpful comments. The fabric is listed as being for "Heavy Use" - but as shadylady2u mentions, I verfied that it IS a polyester.

I’m a fellow Vermonter considering an EA sofa. Do you have the details on your fabric? One of my biggest fears is this happening, since I have to use a shaver on a high leg recliner. I was told that cotton was the culprit for pilling as well. I’ve heard that you should choose a polling grade 4 or 5 only. (Article http://fabricproject.com/specification-guidelines/). Can a Pro lend any input or assistance?

*pilling 🤦🏼‍♀️

Dang. There was a good discussion on upholstery fabric here the other day. It even talked about pilling. I tried to find that thread to post here but haven't had any luck. It may even have been an old thread that was revived (or not) but you may want to hunt around in the Discussion Board and see if you can find it if no one chirps in here.

I found the thread. You might be able to glean some ideas from it. And if your specific questions aren't addressed, you may want to ask on that thread since there is an expert actively involved in the discussion.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/281623/choosing-a-great-sofa-manufacturer-with-a-good-price-point#26640257

Hi Vickie, I definitely will give that a try. I have to de-pill the sofa every month. And even doing that, it's like sitting on sand. Not the quality - or the response - I expected from Ethan Allen. (I was told 'not our problem.' )

I was told 'not our problem. I explained, in an original reply above, that fabric is not covered after a year. Not just Ethan Allen but all furniture stores. Just how it is. I'm sure it was written on the warranty they gave you.