Get Ergonomic.

by Bernie Iven

I’m always surprised when I see students in our classes upholstering in various awkward positions--- especially when they don’t have to. I’ll see them on their knees, or crouched down, or even on their backs looking up! In addition to the strain this puts on muscles, eyes and other body parts, it can also make it more difficult to effectively upholster a piece, leading to mistakes and flaws.

A little thought and common sense can make your upholstering life easier. The basic premise is that you should move your piece into the position which creates the least amount of strain on the body. It’s simple ergonomics. To get a piece of furniture so that you can conveniently work on it this may mean that you have to….

Move it up--- onto a pair of saw horses or table to upholster lower areas.

Move it down--- on to the floor--- to upholster higher areas.

Move it onto its back--- to upholster areas in the front.

Move it onto its front---to upholster the back.

Move it onto its side --- to upholster outside arms.

Moving furniture isn’t always easy, so get a friend to help if the piece is too heavy.

And it’s true that there will be times when you will be forced into an awkward position, but if you can avoid it, do it. That’s called thinking ergonomically!

Happy Upholstering.

Buying Used Furniture for Upholstering

by Bernie Iven

You have developed some upholstering skills, and now intend to furnish your house, or help a friend furnish hers. What should you look for?

Of course you want to look for a frame style that fits in with the décor you plan, but beyond that, how can you make sure you’ve bought a piece at the garage sale, thrift store, or auction that is worth your while upholstering?

The process is similar to buying a house….. look beneath the surface to the foundation. First, ignore the fabric--- that’s the one thing for sure that you are going to replace. In fact, the worse shape the fabric is in, the better the bargain you’re likely to get. Focus on the stuffings and the frame. And especially the frame.

If the stuffings are in good shape, you may get lucky and only have to replace the fabric. But stuffings can be replaced, so don’t let their poor condition deter you entirely.

The frame is most important. Give the frame a gentle stress test. Check to see that it doesn’t creak or that joints are not loose. Check the surface conditions. Small scratches can be covered, but if the surface is in bad shape, ask yourself if you’re willing to go through the labor of refinishing it. Lastly pick the piece up. If it is relatively heavy, that’s a good sign. It generally means that hardwood has been used rather than softer woods or plywood. If it all checks out, it’s the style you want, and the price is right, buy it! And…..

Happy Upholstering!

Artmark Fabrics Bargain Bolts

We purchased 200 yards of "shorts" from Artmark Fabrics. Shorts are a fabric industry term that simply mean "short pieces of fabric". Most of these pieces rang in size from 1 to 5 yards. The majority are multi-weight - solids, plaids, moires, embroidered silk-like, and even some colorful silk pieces and luxurious chenilles! The selection is wonderful.

Artmark fabrics normally retail between $20 and $50 per yard. We got these at a bargain price and are able to pass that savings on to you! We are retailing these pieces between $9 and $21 per yard BUT if you buy the entire piece, you save 50%!!

These pieces are great for smaller projects - pillows, footstools and ottomans, valances, small chairs, and cushions.

These bargain bolts are going fast so stop in soon!

Sequencing Your Upholstery's Stuffings

by Bernie Iven

So you bought an old chair with tattered upholstery (but a good frame) at a garage sale or thrift store. You’ve decided that it needs all new stuffings. But, you ask, what comes first?…. Lets see, there’s foam, fabric, springs, deck pad, burlap, and batting. What comes last?

Observation helps. Obviously, fabric comes last. As you strip the piece you can see what’s underneath that, and what’s underneath that and so on. So take note of each layer, take measurements and buy replacements.

The following are three common sequences starting from bottom to top.

1. Webbing---Coil Springs---Spring Tie---Burlap---Deck Pad---Foam--- Batting---Fabric

2. Zig Zag Springs---Burlap---Deck Pad---Foam---Batting--- Fabric

3. Elasti-band--- Burlap--- Foam---Fabric

Webbing can be the traditional red stripe jute webbing or the grey synthetic webbing. Usually they are put into place with a web stretcher and 1/2” staples. Both coil springs and zig zag springs for seat are generally 9 gauge. Spring Tie can be traditional jute, or polyester. The book by Singer, "Upholstery Basics", does a good job of explaining the process of spring tying. Burlap can be the traditional jute or the newer synthetic. Deck pad helps to keep springs from being felt through the fabric. In the past it was often made from the fiber of coconut husks, but newer versions are made from compressed polyester. Foam is generally used next, although some still prefer the older method of numerous layers of cotton batting. Batting can be the traditional cotton, but most upholsterers now use Dacron batting as it is less susceptible to compression and can be pulled without falling apart. And the most important part of course, is the fabric. It’s worth your while to spend the time to find a good quality fabric that is appropriate to your décor.

Happy Upholstering!

ADDING DACRON

Dacron(left) Foam (right)



by Bernie Iven

Because of its many indispensible qualities*, polyester batting (also called Dacron) should be added to any foam surface so that it will not be exposed directly to the fabric.

But how do you go about adding and adhering batting to a foam surface?

There are several methods….

In the SANDWICH METHOD a spray adhesive, such as Camie 303 is carefully applied to the foam. After it tacks up (30-60 seconds) the glued surface of the foam is placed on a slightly larger piece of Dacron. Use a scissors to trim. If the foam is for use in a two sided cushion, repeat the process on the other side, creating a “sandwich” with foam in the middle and Dacron on either side. The advantage of this method is that it is quick and easy, but it will require the purchase a good spray adhesive. Also it should be noted that this configuration, when placed inside a cushion cover will create a more square look since Dacron will not cover the sides.

In the GLUED METHOD Dacron is wrapped around a piece of foam leaving three sides open. These are then closed with a carefully placed line of Camie 303 Spray adhesive. This method is illustrated in the very popular book, Singer Upholstery Basics.

A less messy but slightly more laborious twist to the above method is the WHIP- STITCH METHOD where the open ends are stitched together with a curved needle and heavy hand sewing thread or button twine.

Finally there is the STAPLED METHOD, where Dacron is wrapped around a piece of foam and then stapled together on the open ends. You can use an ordinary desk stapler, or to make it easier, you can use a scissors stapler such as the Stanley Bostitch type which use a crowned B-8 staple. Because the staple is nestled down into the plush dacron, it is in no danger of catching finger or fabric.

Remember that in the glued, whip-stitched, and stapled methods, you want to join the Dacron together at the top edges of the foam. This way, any excess Dacron will be hidden by the cording. If you join the Dacron in the middle of the boxing sides, a visible bump may show through the fabric.

If you would like your cushion to have a plush “crowned look”, many upholsterers start with the sandwich method and then add a second layer using any of the other three wrap-around methods.

Happy Upholstering!

* See my January 5, 2009 blog, "What is Dacron?" for a list of dacron's indispensible qualities.

Recession Sale!

Click coupon for larger image and to print.

An Upholstering Analogy

by Bernie Iven

When I was a kid, I would visit--- often staying the night--- at my grandparents’ farmhouse. They lived in the town of ( I kid you not) Frankenstein, Missouri .

In the upstairs bedroom where I slept was a ball and claw-legged chair. To a child, the sight can be almost traumatic. The claws were scary…. Potentially monstrous. Why would a chair need them?

As an adult I’ve generally gotten over these fears and have even come to admire the workmanship it must take to carve such things… even if by machine.

But have you ever thought about how furniture has many of the same body parts as people? It’s true. Most pieces of furniture have: Legs. Feet. Arms. & Backs.

If they are tufted, they have Belly Buttons.

If they are female, they have Skirts.

The wooden frames of furniture are like our bones. The foam is like our muscle. The batting is like our fat. The fabric is like our skin.

And if a piece of furniture has been very good, it gets wings.

One thing though, that furniture doesn’t have are heads. Good thing for that. That would be scary... unless its a "people chair" (see photo) with a smile like we upholstered for the Grandview, Ohio public library.

Happy Upholstering.

Fabric Farms Interiors sells a wide variety of upholstery products including furniture’s muscle, fat, and most importantly skin, in the form of lots of gorgeous fabric!

What is Dacron?

Dacron is a polyester batting that should be added to any foam surface so that it will not be exposed directly to the fabric. Dacron has many indispensible qualities.

What are some of these indispensible qualities?

First, batting (sometimes called by the brand name Dacron) reduces the friction foam has, and thus reduces wear to fabric.

Second, because polyester batting remains springy, it is ever ready to put some light pressure against fabric. This means that even as the fabric stretches with age (and always happens) batting will push against the fabric and keep wear-worn waves from developing.

And thirdly, and most importantly, batting fills in any slackness in how you've upholstered your furniture, cushion, etc. And because this will make your upholstered piece looks better.

So don't skimp and regret it later. Always add polyester batting to foam!

Fabric Farms Interiors sells a wide variety of upholstery supplies, including polyester batting. Visit our website for more information.

By: Bernie Iven, Upholstery Manager