a family of composite fabrics is disclosed , such fabrics comprising a relatively thick , contoured textile substrate or base onto which is applied a coating to provide an upholstery fabric having a unique appearance and texture . surface contours , and in some cases portions of the underlying base fabric over which the coating is applied and subsequently removed through processing - induced abrasion , tend to be visible through breaks in the opaque coating , thereby imparting to the composite a decorative , three - dimensional quality .