Wing Backs Two At A Time

These old timers sure have been on a good run. When removing the old fabrics for reupholstering there was four layers of upholstery fabric. There is lots of oxidation on the inner wood frame also.

 After removing all the staples it was time for some bonds fill.

 Back in the day, Spring bases were meant to be spongy and bouncy.

The owner would like to firm up the base.

 With a thicker mil coil spring set and a inch taller should get the frame base right.

 A few specialized tools are needed to get this job done right.

Tied nice and tight like a drum.

A traditional coat of burlap with a new nosing.

The fabric has a challenging 13 1/2 by 31 inch repeat.

Lots of advance patterning required to get this tailored up right.

The insides were restored the last time it was upholstered.

Many decades left before it needs another one.

The design of the larger chair requires removal of the wings.

Sure is nice to work in the morning sun on a beautiful fall day.

A nice clean shop makes for good clean work.

Of coarse the outsides are backed and lined with a fresh coat of cotton.

Mirror templates on all four arms.

One of my in house ottomans to add to the pair.

 Pretty nice leg finish for an upholstery guy.

Worth a note for the matching tailoring on the front of the seat cushion.

Box store furniture sure won't have a great run like these guys.

Probably 120 years and they're good to go for another run.

Thanks for looking here!

Practical upholstery

The number one blog in all of blogdom

For North American of upholstery shops.

New Hampshire Upholstery Triplets

This set of three custom built chairs with wicker side arms were made quite a while ago.

The owner chose two fabrics from my fabric library.

 There was lots of staples to pull out of deeper channels on the inside back.

The foams were still in great shape.

 A stretch Seat webbing was developed for the upholstery industry 30 years ago or so.

The webbing only serves for 20 years and then tends to breakdown.

 Traditional jewt webbing is what's called for here.

 And a top coat of fabric.

 Steam brings upholstery foam back to its original shape after being set in place for 30 years.

Plenty of life left in this foam.

 The plates are ready now for a half coat of cotton on top of the foam.

And to tailor up this finished upholstery fabric.

All the buttons are tufted in place, and the plates are ready to go back on to the frames.

 Quite a bit of tailoring to put it away the fabric edges in place.

 The owner and I looked over the wood when she dropped off the pieces. The wood looked acceptable then, but after upholstering they sure needed a good touchup.

 These chairs sure are functionable. They have a great sitting height and depth.

Thanks for looking here.

Practical upholstery

The # 1 blog in all of blogdom

For north American upholstery shops

Wing Back & Sofas

This fabric was chosen from the fabric books I have in-house.
A nice classic design for a quality wingback.

I ordered 7 yards for this wingback. I thought it was a little much but I ended up using all 7 yards.

I have been estimating fabric amounts for well over 20 years. I basically just take a educated guess at it.

I ordered 20 yards from my supplier for this sofa and loveseat.

After all is said and done I had an extra 16 inches left.

Lots of advanced cuts on these flat topped arms.

The outsides backed and lined with a thin coat of cotton.

 Time for a new piece of 2635 foam.

This wingback is another great example of furniture designed to last many generations.

My guess is this has been in service for 30 years or so, the frame and the stuffings are in the same shape as they were on day one.

What nice character to this classic.

There is no better daily chair then a nice wingback with an Ottoman.

Custom cut, with surged edges arm covers 

will probably double the life of the fabric.

This piece goes in the same sitting area as the sofa and loveseat below.

This sofa and loveseat set have held up for probably 30 years also, because they were designed to do so. Unlike so much of todays home upholstered furniture.

Plenty of staples to pull out of this set,

 to remove the old fabric and keep the lines smooth and clean.

The exposed wood cleaned up real nice with the Howard's Restore a finish.

The owner chose Felt glides for this set

. As we all know the felts tend to fall off often.

I'm going to try a touch of this glue and hope to better the adhesion.

The front deck nosing hand sewn in place.

With some fresh cotton to help Tailor up nice and clean.

Rolled and seamed arms are always a challenge.

Quite a bit of tailoring and patterning to prepare for the upholstering of the arms.

Of course, the outsides are backed and lined with a thin coat of cotton.

Disposable furniture dust covers don't belong on these pieces

. A nice traditional woven fabric does the trick.

The quality existing foam is still in great shape. The outer batting had seen its day so I stripped and discarded it and steamed the foam back to its original shape.

The old cushions were tailored to long in the front and had a real overstuffed look to them for this style of the frame.

I trimmed to a better size.

 And glued on a fresh coat of poly wrap looking for more traditional looking cushion to fit the frame design.

 Of course the old snap rings and clips on the frames were replaced.

 A three thread surger I have in house is needed for a proper arm cover.

The arm covers patterned, surged, som over edges, and steamed.

This sofa and loveseat set is now ready to serve.

Thanks for looking here.

Practical upholstery

The number one blogIn all of blogdom

 for North American upholstery shops!