Upholstery

[v8z]

Hello Everyone,
I'm interested in making my own furniture, much like the contempo stuff shown here.
http://www.eurway.com/subcategories.lasso?cat=90&-token.id=7824636
If this link doesn't work, go to the main directlry (eurway.com) and click on Chairs.

My question is, does anyone have any resources for learning how to upholster (if that's the correct term)? I can weld, paint, fiberglass, etc. but have never done the fabric part.

Thanks in advance,
Owen

[Rich]

I've always wanted to do a couch that I would upholster but have never gotten around to it. I probably know less than you do at this point :)

[doyle]

Upholstery is definitley one of the trades that has to be learned hands-on. I watched my dad recover many pieces of furniture, from the kitchen chair cushions to several sofas and rockers. Not to mention a complete car interior. Sometimes knowing how to sew can come in real handy, which he knew how to do well as well.

In most cases, just start on one side of the furniture, tacking (or stapling) it along the bottom edge, pull the fabric around the piece with the right amount of folds and creases and tucks here and there to where it looks good, then tacking it along the bottom of the opposite side works well.

Like I said, hands-on is the best way to learn. Start with something simple, like a seat bottom on an old wooden kitchen chair. Work your way from there. Another way is to take and old upholstered chair apart. Just simply start uncovering it. You'll see how it was done and you can apply those principles in reverse to recover it. Use the old material as a pattern for the new.

A good strong stapler, some good scissors and some upholstery tacks is all you'll really need to do most jobs, unless you start getting into special seams or something with zippers and buttons