Well, I had hoped to update my review section every few months. What can I say – I’ve been busy upholstering!
So, in the past year i’ve been training and working on average 2 days a week. As I’ve felt more confident with my work I’ve taken on a few commissions at home, which has been a great confidence boost to my new learnt skills.
Where am I up to with my upholstery….
Skills and Techniques learnt
I’m still learning about different fabric, materials and tools – a never ending world of ‘what’s this’ and what does it do?’ Really, I’m asking will it make it easier for me! Fabric with big patterns to fabric that tears very easily. There just isn’t enough hours in the day to know this all, but I’m learning to give it a go -what’s the worst that could happen!
I’m very comfortable with webbing, nailing, corners (most), knots and bridle ties, other stitches, base hessian, finger-roll edge, stitched and stuff-over pad, regulating the stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape. I can tie-in springs in a seat and back and work with them in my upholster work. I have looked at springs, button backs and estimating fabric. I also worked the industrial sewing sewing machine skills with little problem.
I can ‘strip down’ and ‘rip out’ (though when I say these phrase’s it causes much amusement in the workshop setting!) and rebuild using webbing, base Hessian, nailing, corners, knots and bridle. And, regulating stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape is a favorite of mine. I’ve mastered the basics of upholstery – though not a master yet!
Review
Over the year I worked on numerous pieces – the most memorable has been a spoon button-back chair upholstered in velvet, and one of a pair of open armed fireside chairs, which had to match in both the fabric and overall shape. I also upholstered a drop seat in leather.
Having completed two larger pieces with challenging fabric and shapes I am much more aware of the the different phases in larger work.
Skills and techniques learnt
How to strip down, fit webbing, build a seat with base hessian, stuffing, ties and calico, felt and top fabric. learnt about different materiasls and tools – nailing, staple gun, corners, knots and
bridle ties, other stitches, finger-roll edge, stitched and stuff-over pad, regulating the
stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape. Fitting different top fabrics including a patterned and tartan style fabric ensuring the material design was central and lines were kept straight.
Aims for 2013
To practice more deep-back buttoning, work with leather, refine my sewing machine skills for cushions and zips. Mainly work with larger more complex pieces and develop my time in completing pieces. Upholster pieces that require part upholstery, repair simple frames.
I’ve several pieces of my own to upholster – chesterfield sofa, deep back buttoned arm chair, open armed fireside chair. I plan to work on these at home – another challenge in training to be an upholsterer.