Completed upholstery job. Pics...

14 years ago

This was free off CL. All mahogany,has ball and claw feet. This is a simple style if you've never done upholstery work before. Good starter piece. I used a zipper foot for the double welting & an electric staple gun. Before:

{{!gwi}}

After:

$2 a yd chenille fabric from my favorite fabric boutique. (3yd project). I Invested $6 in refurbishing this chair. Something to consider when bringing home a stray! :0) Decorating on the cheap! I hope this inspires someone to try a new project!!! {{!gwi}}

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Comments (19)

kiko_gw
14 years ago
That's the most impressive $6.00 I've ever seen!!!! Great job!
parma42
14 years ago
Just fabulous.

Love your fabric, too.
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joanne: I'm sure you know you are one of the ones who have provided the inspiration for me to take this on. shee: I've only used the Mahagony finish which has a reddish tint to it and is what I'd recommend for the tables in your LR--which look similar to my drum tables. I know there is a test to see if you have shellac or lacquer on your tables as one will dissolve in denautured alcohol and the other with mineral spirts, but it'd be better to check on the woodworking forum. Polyurethene I think was not used as much--again I am only guessing so don't take my word for it. I'd suspect a sealer if it has a glossy surface to it. Basically, if there is a sealer RAF will not hurt, but won't really help either. The beeswax went on ofter the RAF. Your desk is looking really good. Were you ever able to strip the legs? That is the part that would deter me. When I used the stripper I had to use a scraper to get up the old finish which bubbled up. I'm not sure how you do that with the legs. That is why if it were me, I'd probably just paint, though I agree with you I like the woodgrain. Another thought, is to just refinish the top with a similar stain to what is there now and just try using the RAF on the sides if the existing finish is in pretty good condition. Then for the top you can apply a sealer to protect it. That is basically what I ended up doing with my inlay tables since the finish on the legs was in pretty good condition. Again, use your own best judgement, because I am NO EXPERT. To some degree I have experimented on some on my pieces taking that chance. If it was an expensive antique or I had more $$, I'd have them professionally done, but if I were in your shoes and I'd picked up that desk for what was it? $50? I'd try to experiment on refinishing it and if it didn't work out, I'd do the paint/antique technique. I wonder what Reno would suggest since she's had more experience with the different techniques--I've only done restoring/refinishing. sheriz6: Thank you for the compliments. I hope you post more often. This is a wonderful group. newdawn1895: I can see this fabric design looking well as drapes, though think the texture is more suited to upholstery work. maryanne3: I'd love to see pictures of your DR set. Yes, my sideboard has a curved front. It's by Drexel. I don't think it's a "set" with the DR table+chairs, though I know the table and chairs match as the "lace & drape" design in on the pedestals as well. I did buy used as a set though on Craigslist last year from a daughter selling off her mother's furniture as the mother had Alheizmer's so I really don't know too much of the background on it.
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Nicole -- Oh, thank you for taking time to figure an estimate. I was thinking more like a thousand dollars. I can't find anything new that is as nice. I think it cost about $1500 from Marshall Field's in the early 1990's. (Big splurge.) It's held up beautifully, but wear is wear -- and "kids is kids". I hold off on these things, partly because we have what DH and I term "an address tax". If it were less big and heavy I'd have my DS and DIL take it and get estimates from their city address.
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Nice job! I'm always in awe of people who can tackle things like this. I have a friend that is fearless with things like this and as a result has some really nice pieces, including stain glass, to show for her efforts!! Way to go!!
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barb5
14 years ago
I have been so impressed by everyone's upholstering projects and this one is no exception. And I have also been impressed by the savings of doing it yourself.

How does one learn to do this stuff?

For someone like me who has no experience with reupholstering, but who has some rudimentary sewing skills (but I don't know how to do cording), is there a book you would recommend?
squirrelheaven
14 years ago
Oh, I remember your pretty fabric from earlier. Turned out lovely. What a great job!
Lyban zone 4
14 years ago
That is very impressive. I have almost that identical chair and my daughter would like it for her home. I cannot sew for beans. But I do have a staple gun. So tell me, first off do I have to take the chair apart or did you just cover as is.
Second: where the seat meets the back do you just tuck the material in or not.
Third: Where I need to put cording or welting , can I glue it on or is sewing the only option.
Here is a photo of my chair and I would probably try to find a solid color so I do not have to match.
Thanks for any help.

{{!gwi}}
nanny2a
14 years ago
Absolutely lovely, lovely job!! From one DIY upholsterer to another - isn't it gratifying to transform these things?? You did a great job with this and I love your fabric choice!!
nicole__
Original Author
14 years ago
barb5.....There's online instructions for everything.....:0 piping instructions link below....

If you can sew anything....you can upholster. When you take off the old fabric, that's your pattern. You can do it!!! Fabric may cost more, Ebay is good for deals. But even $20 is a cheap chair!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: How to make piping...
nicole__
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for ALL the nice compliments!

lyban....that "is" exact!!! It'll be an easy one to do also! Just start pulling out all the staples with pliers and needlenose pliers(if that's what you have on hand, they sell speciality tools, I don't own any). The cahir itself does "not" get taken apart. The fabric on the seat folds under and gets stapled to the frame. I didn't glue the welting on, I just wrapped it and stapled it under. I could have glued it or used little tack nails inbetween the double welts & the welts would cover the nail up. There's a thin piece of fabric that covers the bottom of the chair,so the frame is covered when you turn the chair upside down. The only thing I sewed was the welting. Everything else is stapled. I even reused the old cording by ripping the old fabric off it. I also reused the back metal piece, don't know what it's called.....? The fabric folded around it, teeth stuck out and it got pounded back into the chair to hold the back piece in place. Decorative tacks could have been used instead. Just find fabric you like and it's good to go!!!
nicole__
Original Author
14 years ago
lyban.....I found what it's called. The metal on the chair back is "tack strip". The thin fabric on the chair seat bottom is "typar". See the link...

Here is a link that might be useful: Upholstery supplies....
Lyban zone 4
14 years ago
Nicole,
Thank you so much for the directions. I am going to save this post to MY Clippings and refer back to it when I get the material.
cooperbailey
14 years ago
Great upholstery job! but maybe you spent waaay too much money! LOL You and nanny are inspirations to me!
dawn25
14 years ago
Wow--what a beautiful chair and great job! I've been trying to work up the nerve to attempt an upholstery project. Have a $10 chair covered in very dirty/old cream leather sitting in the garage waiting for me. Someday soon I'll try it...lol.
cooperbailey
14 years ago
And Joan how could I forget Joans wonderful upholstery! Until GW I never imagined it could be done DIY!
barb5
14 years ago
Nicole,

Thanks for the link. I really need to work up the courage to give this reupholstery thing a try.
saltnpeppa
14 years ago
Wow!! Free chair & your skills = outstanding chair!!

Smiles:)
cliff_and_joann
14 years ago
Fantastic! You did a great job.

Joann
User
14 years ago
I was looking for something else and came across this. .

Great job! It looks really nice! :)
nicole__
Original Author
14 years ago
sheesharee,cliff & joann,scoobyruby,barb5,cooperbailey,dawn25, luban....THANKS! I just upholstered these 2 little benches. I found a .50cent fleece remnant(it has a heavy backing on it), it was enough to do both benches. It feels like mohair or velvet! :0)
{{gwi:1537821}}
justgotabme
14 years ago
Wow love the chair, love the benches. You do good work Nicole!

Completed upholstery job. Pics...

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