Chelone, Joann and other upholstery experts
Comments (37)
oceanna
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Learning to sew?
Comments (15)I am a sewer when I have to be.....meaning I sew, not my favorite hobby but can do it if push comes to shove which it has alot along the years. Then I really get hooked on it & sew away. When my little girl was a toddler all the way thru 7 yrs. I made her an outfit, bought her an outfit. Made matching bows & hair scrunchies also. She was the best dressed kindergarten student in the class. ha! After buying an old house , we fixed everyroom up and I sewed my way around the house with swags,other WT's, pillows, table runners, napkins, etc. After selling & building, I have made a couple of WT.....DD's bathroom one & craftroom , small pillow for guestroom bed , but hired the Wt's I wanted out to a very professional lady who does a no less than perfect job. I even took for my DR an off the shelf WT & made it alittle more custom looking by scrunching the top to make it look soft & floppy then hanging on short rods. I want to update my daughter's bathroom with plain white tab tops, cutting off the tabs & replaceing with lime green ribbon hanging down & sewed. I have an inspiration photo. YOu could even use the fusing web for that projects if need be. Good luck with learning...I took some shadow embroidery lessons at one of the sewing places here. Even JR. college probably offer things like that maybe. I had to take classes in JR high & high school.......it was one of those things I thought I would never use but have! Bonnie...See MoreUpholstery or slip covers
Comments (5)Thread comes in different weights and fibres (you already know that). I'd be looking at using a polyester thread, too (cotton will rot with time and esp. if subjected to changes in humidity and sunlight, ditto the latter with respect to nylons), and use your judgement with respect to the weight of it, you know the hand of the ultrasuede you purchased. Off the top of my head, I'd think 69 weight or maybe one step "lighter" would be pretty good. Use a longer stitch and really make the time to play around with the tension adjustment on your machine; I don't use them much, but you may want to consider using a leather needle if you can get one for your machine. I would definitely fool around with both types of needles and see which one gives you the best result. You can use a plain seam or if you want you can topstitch the allowance to one or both sides of the seam for an added detail. Depends on what sort of "look" you want. Personally, I tend to think that topstitching lends a more casual/"masculine" feel to a project and can look great when done well or REALLY amateur if done sloppily. I don't know what sort of machine you use, but ultrasuede (and leather) can be sort of stretchy, esp. when you begin working with multiple layers (applying the boxing to a corded piece, for instance). My machinery is industrial grade and the machine I use for upholstery work is a needle feed and has a walking foot; I have a variety of outer cording feet to accomodate different insert diameters. That combination makes feeding multiple layers evenly A LOT easier than it would be on a drop feed machine (this is what home machines use). I suspect, if you're using a home machine, you will find applying the cording and the boxing the toughest part of the operation. I'm basing that on the supposition that you will be using an adjustable zipper foot and may lose up to 50% of the feed dogs' ability to pull multiple layers under the needle bar. Go slowly and be ready to "help" your machine when you hit areas of greater bulk. Sounds like a fun project....See MoreDIY Upholstery - Living Room Sofa
Comments (34)valinsv, kswl, tinan, joseph002, graywings, snookums2, and my neighbor (who introduced me to the GW forums ) jodi_in_so_calif...thank you for all of your generous responses : ) azpedsrn - any chance you live near Orange County California? If you could drive your chair & fabric over to my house, I would be happy to help you and you could use my electric staple gun and see if you like it. My staple gun was purchased online and the manufacturer is Maestri. It's electric and does not use an air compressor. I am sure an air compressor type would work better, but my Maestri is fine for my projects. I was unable to find any electric type staple guns at any local upholstery supply stores. They only sell the air type. I tried an electric Stanley type (from Sears) and that didn't shoot the staples well enough into the wood for me. I returned the Stanley and went online. My Maestri shoots fine wire staples which are different than staples I see for sale at hardware and big box stores. Do you have other pieces of furniture to reupholster besides the chair? If so, consider investing the money in a Maestri or any other brand of upholstery stapler that will shoot fine wire staples. Or, maybe someone in your neighborhood has an air compressor you can borrow and then you could buy an air gun. I wish I could help you. You have already done much of the work (removing the old fabric). Your fabric price is fantastic! If you could figure out how to post pictures, I (and other helpful GW members) could assist you better. Are you able to load pictures onto Photobucket? If so, I could walk you through my process I use to get pictures from there(PB) to here (GW)....See MoreWe couldn't have said it better
Comments (60)Sorry if I'm repeating...haven't read all the comments. Michael Payne and Designing for the Sexes rocked!!! That was real talent and class, and you always learned something about design. I also really enjoyed Decorator's Challenge and Landscapers Challenge because these were actual talented designers who gave 3 unique perspectives on one project. Now everything on HGTV looks exactly the same ( i.e. gray walls, hardwood floors, too many randomly patterned throw pillows, contemporary furniture). Where's the variety? Bring back Chris Casson Madden (Interiors by Design) and Joann Liebler (Room by Room), Mission Organization, Donna and Shannon Freeman (Secets That Sell), Before and After, Dream House, Weekend Warriors (a personal favorite) Susie Coehlo (Surprise Gardener), Debbie Travis (The Painted House) and shows like Location, Location, Location that showed different aspects of people purchasing homes. I am rather annoyed by how House Hunters is always about a bickering couple who can't agree on style, but at 22 can always afford to buy their dream home. How about showing a variety of homebuyers again; older people, singles, working parents who can't afford to gut and renovate. I'd like to see people with more modest budgets take the homes they purchase and turn them into something wonderful. And for those who are not familiar with any of these shows or hosts, you really missed a treat. This was HGTV at its prime. Believe it or not, long before the last season or two of Divine Design, and long before that crap Candice Tells All, Candice Olsen actually used to design rooms without mirrored furniture, espresso wood, and ice blue and gray. Anyone remember the sherbert colored sunroom or the kitchen with the blue strie (sp?) cabinets? Those were the days... Not that the Property Brothers arent't good, and I do particularly like Hillary Farr's style (even if she can't budget worth a darn), but enough is enough. And don't get me started on Genevieve. She sucked on Trading Spaces! Now if the would just dig up the Designer Guys from the Discovery Channel, all would be well. Anyone who can design a woman's apartment around a man's suit and make it look fabulous is okay in my book. Done with my rant....i'll get back to work...See Moremry193
16 years agolkplatow
16 years agoamysrq
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years agobudge1
16 years agomry193
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoafter the chair is stripped, and the springs are tied, cover the entire chair with fresh batting. In this photo I stripped the wood and it was ready for staining dark, to match our existing furniture.
we stripped it outside, It's a filthy job. Moved it in at dusk
Here is th fabric on the dining room table. Note the paper pinned on the face of the fabric, looking at it now, I think the piece on the right says "outside arm -left."
You must always pay attention to the way the fabric nap runs.
This is the chair mid way through. They first thing we did was the seat, then the inside arms...we had to connect the inside arms to the wings, not we made welt and sewed the pieces together with welt. We also bought heavy foam and re-did the outside back with heavy foam.
Here it is with the inside all completed...we just had to add the arm fronts and the back (you use tacking strip for the outside back which is the last thing upholstered.
then the tacks are applied (if your using tacks, the other method of finishing is using welt. I rather like the tacks.
I'll be back with the finished chair.
cliff_and_joann
16 years agoHere is the completed chair,
then I completed the cushions and made a new footstool to match, for the footstool,
I used my Mother's coffee table legs from her 1050's coffee table.
You can do it too...of course if hubby helps it's even better!
Joannmry193
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoThanks mry, The more you do the better you get...we did this chair 5 years ago in gold velor, and it just didn't go with the new wing back chair (in the same room)...so I went shopping and bought chocolate fabric and we re-did the chair.
We change the chair design by eliminating the skirt and adding some wood trim to match the wing chair... also the tufted back on the chair was an attached loose pillow and we made it permanent tufts. The level of difficulty on this chair is a few notches harder than the wing chair.
My hubby will do anything...everything I want to buy, he says "I'll make it for you!" LOL...I surprised he's not making my clothes!
mry193
16 years agooceanna
16 years agosquirrelheaven
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoThank you ladies for the comments.
mry, practice makes perfect. You need to pay close attention to the way the fabric runs when cutting. Also when upholstering pay close attention to the way the fabric is running as you pull it and staple it, as it is very easy to go off and apply it crooked.
As I mentioned before -- try and pick a fabric that doesn't have to be matched. On the wing chair, the front of the arm is a piece of cardboard that is covered with fabric and welt is applied to the edge before installing it.
On our Living room sofa, we used upholstery nails on the front of the arm. I like that look as well. You cant tell from the above photo, but the top of the skirt (the part under the cushions) has welt.
We did this sofa over about 4 or 5 years ago. I changed the design somewhat, by making the skirt come all the way up to the cushions with one pleat in the middle -- before it was only about a six inch skirt. We also made the matching bolsters. This sofa is a camel back sofa (two humps)
Here is a photo from my archives that shows the skirt.BTW, I took this photo to show someone how I water my indoor plants. I use a bottle (Like a plastic Mr Clean bottle, you can squeeze the water out and it doesn't drip all over the place.
Oceana, We did the stairs.
oceanna
16 years agofunkyart
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoThanks Oceana, The chair is a small folding rocker that we can trace back in Cliff's family to 1908, Generations of babies have been rocked in it including my children. It folds and is a unique little rocker. The table next to it, is also a family antique. I found the bunny tapestry on ebay when I found the Spanish dancer tapestry on the wing back. The bunny is not real tapestry, it's a print. I love the little bunny on the rocker and covered the seat and back in a cranberry ultra suede to match the cherries. I have had a gizillian covers on this rocker through the years, so far the bunny is my favorite.
The stairs: we cut wood out of oak and installed them on both sides of the stairs, however I ended up painting the
wood on the far end (by the wall because It was too much and it looks better than stained wood on each side) If I do a search I think I can find a photo that shows the wood well...I used oaktag to make the pattern.If you look closely at the bottom of the rocker you can see the hinges that allow it to fold flat.
I
demeron
16 years agospanky_md
16 years agoVery nice work, Joann!
I have upholstered about 20 chairs and sofas over the years and this book has been the biggest help:
It's been out of print for years but fortunately there are lots of copies available on Amazon. It has step-by-step drawings and very clear text to take you through the entire process.
I can now do a piece without referring to it, but when I first started out I relied heavily on it. I found that it was very hard to remember exactly how each piece of fabric was attached once I'd removed it, especially if some time had elapsed. This book shows you exactly what to do---how to notch the fabric around posts and rails, how to deal with variations on frames, etc.
One other thing-- I would advise replacing all of the padding. It absorbs odors that might not smell so bad now but when warm, humid weather arrives, they will bloom. I learned this the hard way with a 20' sectional sofa from the 50's. Peeyoo!
Also, when you cut the bias strips for welt, make sure you cut on the true bias. Otherwise the welt will twist and then get ripply when you straighten it out. You can also just buy contrasting ready-made welt but the color selection is limited.
Here is a link that might be useful: copies of the book on Amazon
mry193
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years agoSpanky, that sounds like a great book. Anyone thinking of learning the craft would do well to purchase it.
You are right about the padding and the cushions as well.
The only bad thing about upholstering is -- you always want to change things, always!
Have you ever done leather? We have done small things like footstools etc, however we never worked with leather on a chair.To be more specific, I mean sewing a leather cushion
and attaching pieces of leather together to upholster a chair.
We have to get a leather needle and practice.This chair we covered in February 2005 and I want to do it again in a cream colored leather. It will take two hides.
When I mention it to Cliff, he said, "We just did this chair!" LOL...The fabric guys I buy my fabric from showed me wonderful hides of leather that they have. They picked it up from Mercedes Benz. It is actually the leather that they upholster the Mercedes seats in. It's a gorgeous cream color and ever since they showed it to me, I've been thinking about doing this chair pictured below.
I recommend to stay away from matching for the novice upholsterer. It's hard enough to learn to get the fabric on straight without worrying about matching.
Stripes are even harder to do, although as soon as you go off when you're stretching striped fabric -- it's easy to see on striped fabric, however when you're sewing it together and matching up the stripes it a real challenge.There is so much fun to have and not enough time... :)
Made a matching footstool for this chair as well.
cliff_and_joann
16 years agocliff_and_joann
16 years ago
redbazel
16 years agooceanna
16 years agospanky_md
15 years agoJoann, sorry, I should have checked back on this thread more than once. I didn't see your question until now!
Yes, I have done some upholstery with leather. I've done four of these chairs and have a fifth waiting to be redone (two were for my daughters, one for us and the others to sell). They are made by Plycraft or Selig, not Eames. The Eames chairs are trickier to do. These are easy.
{{!gwi}}
The only sewing is to make the welt and on this one I also had to sew the top edge of the armrest cover. The bottom edge, including the welt, is stapled. The welt around the cushions is just stapled on.
I also did another type of chair that had a loose seat and loose back cushion of leather with welt. I used smaller than usual welt cord and it was hard to gauge the feel of where it was between the layers of leather. If I did that again, I'd use bigger diameter cord.
I haven't done anything that required piecing leather together. I've thought about it. I love the look of the Barcelona chair and the day bed by Mies van der Rohe and have thought it might be fun to make an ottoman using that kind of piecing and tufting, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
{{!gwi}}
Leather isn't hard to sew. What is hard is getting it right on one try. When you rip a seam out to redo it, the holes from the first stitching are still there and function as a perforated line that will tear if stressed. Plus it looks bad if it's in a place that is visible. You can't pin it, either. I'd probably use little bulldog clamps.
If you do want to try it sometime, Kysonleather on Ebay is an excellent source of hides. They will send free swatches of anything you request and also will send swatches of other hides that they think will fit your needs. Swatches are a must since leather is hard to photograph accurately. I've gotten four or five hides from them so far and I've always ended up getting something other than what I thought looked perfect in the photos. The hides are very nice quality and prices are about half (or less) than what I see in the upholstery fabric stores here, even discounted. Their color selection is fantastic, too!
(I don't know them personally. I'm just one very satisfied customer.)
love-my-lilhome
15 years agon2cookin
15 years agocliff_and_joann
15 years agomry193
15 years agolkplatow
15 years agospanky_md
15 years agocliff_and_joann
15 years ago
cliff_and_joann