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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Large Skirted Slipper Chairs

This pair of extra large skirted slipper chairs after having all the old staples removed is ready for some frame tightening.
 Where the back rest meets the seat there has become quite a bit of play and now is the time to block up the frames.
 Double sized pre-drilled holes with a 1 1/2 inch wood screws and glue we'll set these old-timers up for long time.

 One of the legs needed typing also.

Apparently created in the year 1979.

 These three sided deep bases are always a challenge.
The owners chose a sunbrella fabric.
                                      
 After patterning and machine sewing the 4 pieces they are handsewn into the deck on three sides.

Of course the seat cushion clips were replaced in the frame in the rings also on the seat cushions.
The outside backs trimmed with piping an back with a thin coat of cotton.

 The extra large 10 1/2 inch skirts needed to be handsewn around the base.
They are backed and lined with a skirt stiffener.
All of them hung a tight three-quarter inches off of the floor.

After inspection of the stuffings for the seat and back cushions, they are packed and dressed.

 Tailored up as clean as smooth as I am capable of.



 Ready to serve.

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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Bold Pattern New Hampshire Upholstery

Here is another great example of furniture built to last. The frame is just as tight as it was when it was built probably 60 years ago. After removing all the old tax and stripping it down this piece is ready to get Tailored back up.
The owner of this chair found 8 yards of this fabric with a 21 inch vertical repeat.
It's got a nice heavy weight to it. It is a fabric that will look new and fresh for years to come.
Fresh coat of paint for the legs.

 After a minor spring repair and inspection, new coat of traditional burlap with a new 2 inch nosing hand sewn into the deck front.
 I have many times seeing horsehair last 200 years or more.

A fresh coat of cotton over the top. And hand sewn the cut and tailored decking piece, to the base.

 Spring front bases are always a challenge.
Re-set the horse hair by handsewing.

And the front of the base all finished off.

A fresh coat of cotton on the inside arms and inside backs really help everything tailor up sharp.

 Here shows the pattern height is the same as it walks around the inside just above the seat cushion.


And the outside back is backed and lined with a thin coat of cotton.
 Mirror set arm front templates.

 Deep seated arm covers sure does that extend the life of the fabric.
 Below shows the matching fabric for the arm covers to the front arm templates.
 Two extra large buttons tailor cut and set.
This family heirloom is ready to go for another long run.

Ready to go Home.

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Friday, December 2, 2016

PracticalUpholstery Design Studio

The owner brought me these early 1960s set of five dining chairs.
They have a real danish for Northern European look, they sure could have been designed and created right in central Massachusetts. Although could be Danish. They sure are quality chairs.  Small but very light dining chairs sure are in fashion now and these really fit the bill with lots of character.
I am never afraid to tap open joints or intersections on frames that I am restoring. The key is to do no damage. Most of the screws had loosened up a bit over the 50 years. None of the joints wanted to play along and open up for a re-gluing. These frames are standing nice and tight.
 The finished wood sure needed some attention. Howard's restorer finish came through with flying colors.
Before.
 And after.

 Traditional stuffings sure are the best. This cotton has deteriorated  and gotten very dusty. It's time to tailor up new cotton and discard the old.


You can never have enough experience Setting new cotton on these types of chairs. You get too much cotton you have that overstuffed look. Not enough cotton and it's just way too bony.
 Two full layers and one third worked just fine for the inside back.
 It isn't often I cut cotton as I pull it off the rolls.
 I laid three full coats of cotton and a third  coat To drape down the edges.

 Quite a bit of tailoring to close these bases out neatly for the next 20 years or more.

 The outside backs are lined with new fabric and a thin coat of cotton.

All the pieces are mirror cut and set.
Lots of double piping to cut and sew for these five chairs. 
 All trimmed out with just the right amount of hot melt glue behind the trim edge.
 Very much a disciplined trimming. Sharp and clean.


 These pieces are ready to serve.
 The owners considered my fabrics, but ended up finding this at the fabric place basement in the Cloverleaf mall in Natick Massachusetts. They have a great eye for fabric, these pieces sure do look great.



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Practical upholstery design studio
 is the number one blog in all of blogdom
 for North American upholstery design.
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