Designer Tote Bags

I currently have 17 designer tote bags in stock. All of the totes are of the highest quality heavy duty upholstery grade fabric from my fabric library.

 These satchels are the same design and size that one usually sees in today's high end grocery markets that offer paper bags with handles at checkout. They can withstand on a regular basis as much as loading them up with canned goods with no problem.

 Many different fabrics to choose from. Some satchels have three or four different fabrics in one.

 All the salvage edges are surged. The totes are not lined.

 I sell a lot of these that are used for gifts.

Thanks for looking here.

Fabric Library Update

A fresh update on the fabric I hold in house.

And can be seen at the 2nd black box on the right.
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Practical Upholstery in stock fabric
https://practicalupholsteryfabric.blogspot.com/2018/01/fabric-library-update.html

Martha Washington Restoration

This old timer stopped in for some attention after many years in the field.

I don't have any idea how old this one is, but notice the oxidation on the inner bones of this piece. Looks like it was heavily stained but it wasn't.

 The crown was cracked in several places. It glued and clamped up real Nice.
All the exposed wood sure needed some attention, it freshened up really nice with Howard's Restor-a-finish.

After inspecting the springs which were in fantastic shape, a coat of traditional burlap and replace the wooden nosing.

 Lots of cotton tailored up as I want a nice tight drum.

 I use drapery back lining to put all the stuffings away.

It sure helps to keep my work clean.

I was pretty deep into the final coverings when I noticed a flaw in the fabric. The owners supply their own fabric on this one and small flaws were throughout the 3 yards. I inspect the fabric when I cut the pieces off of the bolts but missed this one. I didn't continue, removed this covering and replaced with another.  The flaw is in the center of the pic.

Traditional burlap webbing for the inside back.

 Then cotton stuffings with another lining set.

 And another thin coat of cotton, before the final coverings.

And extra thin coat of cotton on the outside back.

Proud 5/32 piping helps accent the great lines.

Keeping the threads straight throughout the tailoring process is necessary or people with a sharp eyes.

And the inside back.

My camera didn't do a very good job showing this Nice colored light gold/ Cream colored fabric with colorful dots.

I'd say this chair is ready to go for another 60.

Thanks for looking here!
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In House Upholstery Leathers

After all these years I have finally been able to source a great supplier for upholstery grade leathers.

I have in-house now 20 Full hides at approximately 40 Square feet of leather each.

                                               

 Analysis of the different types of leather is very controversial. The perception I give here is my opinion only. I name these leathers semi-aniline, top grain(corrected grain), with a nice balanced amount of pigment(surface sealant). With a thickness of 0.9 t0 1.1 mm. They have a nice comfortable stretched to them. 

 Colors in stock are Black, dark brown, beige, strawberry red, and a soft green. Several other colors are available with a short lead time.

 It is so important to store leathers properly. These are all clean draped over a 12 inch diameter tube.

 All home furnishings are not meant to be tailored up in leather.

But the ones that are, leather is really attractive.

Thanks for looking here!

Practical upholstery

The #1 blog in all of blogdom for North American upholstery shops!

Movie Scene Sofas

In most major movies in the entertainment industry if they show a scene with a sofa, the sofas are always a grand one. With an extra long length and always with a deep inside setting depth.
What has come my way for reworking is not just one but a pair of these grand sofas. These measure out at 99" in length, 41" deep and a height of 30" to be able to move through doorways. The inside sitting area is an impressive 82" wide by 25" deep.

And what great construction on the frame. Created to last hundreds of years.

This replacement fabric has a nice heavy weight to it and should wear really well.

Lots of yardage to cut off proficiently for these extra large beauties.

These pieces are probably 50 years old and were restored the last time they were upholstered, they did a nice job restoring them and I would say at least 60 years more will pass before they will need restoring again. After removing all the tacks and staples they are ready to be tailored.

The decking's all patterned and Machine sewn, with the front rail ready to be handsewn in.

A thin coat of cotton sure adds to the job.

With these extra large curved arms, setting the fabric at the right points is so important.

The inside backs have a slight curve to them. When the pair are back in their home, they set back-to-back and are the centerpiece of a great room.

 Lots of fabric sweeping to get the smooth look.

Time to knock the outsides.

All backed with new liner fabric and a thin coat of cotton underneath.

No box store dust covers allowed on these guys.

 The old pressed cardboard fronts had seen their life and in my opinion were designed too wide.

A set of four new ones made from plywood underlayment sure will do the trick.

 And now onto the seat cushions.
Lots of piping ribbon needed for the six extra large cushions.

On one of those sofas the inside where the seat cushions set it is 1/2" shorter then the other sofa. Therefore one cushion is on half inch less and is marked in the back as shown.

The seat cushions are sewn turned inside out and hand finger pressed which really helps for a nice tailored look. The quality foam and wrap has much life left in them and can be replaced with the slide of a zipper.

It sure never hurts to turn over the cushions occasionally to maintain a fresh look.

Note that the four end cushions are cut special for the back corners.

As well as the front of the end cushions are flared out.

After final inspection these pieces are ready to serve.

Proper foot glides that work in the long run, have been a little problem over the years. I'm going to install these felt glides when these sofas go back home and I'm thinking these will work great and be soft on appearance as they sit on the hardwood floors.

And they're ready for delivery.

Thanks for looking here!

Designed & tailored by David Whiton Vose.

Practical upholstery

The #1 blog in all of blogdom

For North American upholstery shops!