Chair - Correcting Reupholstering - Can it be done?

8 years ago

I had a slipper chair re-upholstered, and in the area under the seat and down the front, they used the fabric upside-down. (in a side note, they are now saying that the fabric is discontinued, and fixing it is not their problem - side rant another day!) I have found an online site that has the fabric, and I can order a yard, and have the upholsterers fix it - is this advisable? If they swap just the 1 piece of fabric, is there any concern for compromising the remainder of the fabric on the chair? It's not very noticeable, and if changing out the piece with cause other problems, I would rather just leave it.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

Pictures would help. Sorry this happened. I can't believe they said fixing it is not their problem. It most certain IS their problem.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

Rose Pekelnicky
8 years ago
It's possible the second pices of fabric could be from a different dye lot and vary in color
Anne CK thanked Rose Pekelnicky
Related Discussions
Reupholstering Chair
Q
Comments (1)
Love the chair! This as my sister would say is "easy peasy". Take the covers off. And take a seam ripper and take them apart and use them for the pattern. This would make a great first project. You can do it.
...See More
would it be hard to reupholster these CL chairs?
Q
Comments (13)
I've upholstered several wing back chairs and recently found one very similar to those you're looking at which I reupholstered for my daughter's bedroom. I found it harder to do then it looked, but it was relatively easy and fast to do. The hardest part about this style was the piping that goes around the seat back and cushion bottom. I had to use a much larger piping than normal, and this had to be glued in at several areas after stapling. I use a professional grade pneumatic stapler - it would have been very difficult to do it properly without this. The seat in mine did not screw in, all stuffing, batting and material had to be attached from the top. The old chair as I was taking it apart. The new chair with silk upholstery.
...See More
2 CL chairs reupholstered. DONE! Pics
Q
Comments (42)
loribee, jan_in_wisconsin, arapaho..... THANK YOU! loribee, here's a pic of the whole room where the chairs are gonna live. :0) We plan on doing a fireplace remodel, stacked stone to the ceiling 22', lower the fireplace to the floor, take out the lower mantle, wire a spot above the fp for a flat screen tv. So this is what it looks like "now". I used to have floor pillows where the chairs are, so for me it's an improvement! I needed a conversatonal grouping. :0) The brown leather couch is also new. I used to have this room full of white leather & it just disappeared with the white walls & sunlight. :0)
...See More
How much to reupholster this chair?
Q
Comments (4)
My FIL use to be reupholster furniture for a living. He told me long ago prices vary. It depends on the type and cost of the fabric, if the cushions need to be replaced or not, how much stitching is required and how difficult it is to stitch together. Add in their time and how good a rep they have and that's what you pay. So it varies from piece to piece from place to place. Best thing to do is find someone with a good rep and then talk to them.
...See More
Kippy
8 years ago
I would ask for a refund and buy new fabric and use a different company. Maybe they could

fix, but in taking it apart it may not lay smooth or have enough fabric left for a strong seam
Anne CK thanked Kippy
Anne CK
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone.

justgotabme - I have a feeling that in terms of a refund I'm out of luck (paid with a check, and they're being deliberately - err- a word that I won't say in public). I'm just going to breath deep and try not to let my rage peak.

Kippy and Rose - those are my concerns, that even if the fabric does match, because they're not redoing the whole chair, resewing the other pieces will compromise them.

Sigh - I think I'm going to have to live with it. I don't know that I want to give them back the chair anyway. I don't trust them not to be jerks. It's okay, you only notice the balloons flying upside-down if you really stare.
User
8 years ago
It does sound like your best to cut your losses at this point, but I would report them to the BBB.
Still seeing pictures of the chair would help determine if it even needs recovering. You said you'd rather just leave it so our seeing it could help you feel comfortable with that decision.
Anne CK thanked User
Anne CK
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you - I will try to get a good picture of it. But thank you so much for your reassurance!
ratherbesewing
8 years ago
It depends on how the upside down piece of fabric is attached to the chair. Is is sewn to the seat fabric? if so, that's a problem because the seat fabric would also need to be removed. Please show a photo.
patrickthedestroyer
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Typically, the seat is one of the first pieces of fabric attached to the chair frame, with all of the other pieces attached on top of and potentially through the seat. If that is the case redoing the upside down fabric would basically mean reupholstering the whole chair. There's even a good chance that the fabric used on the rest of the chair can't be re-used because it will have been trimmed down to the point where it can't be pulled anymore. It's tough to say for sure without pictures though.
PRO
4Heidesign
8 years ago
I reupholster, and Patrickthedestroyer is correct. The seat underneath the cushion is the very first part of the whole upholstery process - many of the the other pieces are attached to this integral piece, or installed after the seat portion is put in. This company is supposed to be professional, and a mistake like this is definitely their problem, and the entire chair should be redone, at their expense! I can’t believe that you aren’t pursuing this avenue. I would insist that it all be done correctly!
bossyvossy
8 years ago
Agree it was sloppy work but I would chance it and get piece of fabric. Yes there's a risk it might be diff dye lot but OTOH so imperceptible a diff that worth replacing and it looking almost the same.
Vertise
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Upholstery work is expensive. Let them order the other piece to see if it matches. Don't pay any more for the work. If it doesn't match or the repair is not satisfactory, then they will, unfortunately, need to purchase enough fabric to redo the whole chair. Not taking responsibility for having placed the fabric in the wrong direction is completely unreasonable.

Balloons upside down? I don't think so, lol. I'd see how much fabric is out there in the marketplace if you're afraid you'll end up losing that fabric choice altogether.
Olychick
8 years ago
I would do as snookums suggests but if they won't make it right, that is what small claims court is for. It's simple, inexpensive and you could get your $ back. Sometimes just the threat of court (after all else fails) will motivate some resolution. Be sure to take clear photos of the work and have copious notes about your conversations with them, giving them the opportunity to fix this mistake. You could also look into dispute resolution if there is an agency in your area.

Unfortunately, unless they are a member of the Better Business Bureau, there is nothing they can do. You can also try social media, posting reviews, etc., also after you've run out of other options with them.