Upholstery

[LyNx]

We have moved the dinning table that i made (pics to follow) into the corner of our dinning area and instead of using single chairs along the walls i would like to build a corner bench. I think this will be nice with cushioned back supports and maybe cushions on the base too.

What i don't want to do it pay alot of money to get someone to make the cushions so i would like to have a go myself. Do we have an upholsterers (sp) in here that can give me tips of the foam layers to use etc

Andy

 

[Shady]

Andy - my wife's an 'expert amateur' - good enough to do high class sofas etc: she's out running at the mo - I'll get her to answer in a while. Got the funny shaped tools to do it?

 

[LyNx]

Nice one Shady. I don't have any tools at the moment.

People here at work are telling me to use our contracted guy but we didn't see eye to eye when he worked here. This will be a good learning curve as i would like to make my own sofas too :shock:


Andy

 

[Shady]

Yup - I know what you mean: I've always been slightly amazed at the relatively simple and crude framework that lies under some so called 'high-class' high street sofas/easy chairs. Can't believe one couldn't knock up the equivalent pretty simply.

I think, IIRC, that you won't need many (if any) specialist tools for just making foam cushions: it's all for things like stretching the webbing over a frame, removing old tacks when re-upholstering, etc etc.

 

[wizer]

Norm did an episode on it. I'll see if I have it on dvd somewhere.

 

[LyNx]

for the bench seat pads. I was planning on using a plywood base, fitted with 3" hard foam and a 1" softer foam on top. Then strength the fabric/leather over and tack to the back of the ply. It can't be as easy as that but it'll be nice if it was.

WiZeR, that would be a help


Andy

 

[Colin C]

Andy
It will also help if you put some time ( half round )on the top of the back at the back to tack to and it will stop the fabric/leather from being cut from the ply
I hope that is clear

 

[LyNx]

i know what you mean, any reason why not all round the perimeter?

 

[Shady]

Hi Andy, SWMBO here.
The technique you will use depends on the effect you want to create. If you just want moveable box cushions with foam innards you need to sew a box cushion cover (ie a cubical container for the cushion) piped along the edges for strength/appearance, with a zip on the bottom face so that you can remove the cover for washing - great for when the spag bol gets tipped on it.... For this, you ideally need 4 - 5" foam, obtainable from any upholstery shop.

If you want a fixed back, attached to a ply/chipboard sheet, the technique is somewhat different. You need to shape the foam in order to accommodate the bottom cushion and so that the top is sloped. I suggest you first glue - yes glue (copydex is ideal) the foam onto the backing and use a large knife to shape the foam. Remember to cut the foam about 2" larger on the top edge than you need: fold the foam over the top of the backing to create a soft-look finish. Glue the foam over the top then get your fabric. Starting at the bottom, staple (high tech stuff here!) the material squarely to the back of the board, allowing about 2" of material as turn back. Always start in the middle and work out to the edges.
Once that is done, smooth the material up over the foam and pull down, quite firmly. Remember that the material will stretch/foam will condense with time so it really is important to pull and smooth till you've got a firm backing. Staple the back, starting from the middle again and pulling and smoothing the front to ensure a good finish. Stop about 2" from the side and do the same with the sides. Then turn the raw edges at the corners in to create a neat finish - practise till you get the desired effect (a 'hospital corner' always looks smart...). Staple these and, if you want to go the whole hog, sew the two edges together.

Remember that if you're doing the solid backing version, you will need to shape the foam on the seat to accommodate the back cushion. Also, if you're turning a corner with the back, you'll need to shape the foam in that corner so that it looks neat.

This is very much the 'cheats' way of doing this. You could go as far as to make a frame, use webbing, horsehair and kapok, sewing loops to fill with horsehair and strengthening the edges using an upholsterers knot, but I guess that'll keep for another day.....!

If you want some good guides, there are several 'beginner's guides' out there, but a course (evening classes) is your best bet if you really want to get into it all. If any of the above is unclear, I can expand on details...

(edit - Shady's comment: and we thought our hobby was full of technical jargon, tricks and tips.... :shock: )

 

[Colin C]

Shady and wife of Shady
I will also say thanks as this is one of the places that I could do with much more practise as I do get small bits to do some times and I think a class might be on the books

 

[LyNx]

thats sounds great, thanks for the advise I'll try and draw up a section of the bench and cushions so you can see the shape and give me the right/wrongs of my layout.

Right, now i got to find some foam to practice on - ebayyyyy

 

[wizer]

sorry mate i cant find it. in the episode he is upholstering a footstool.

I have a load of episode on the tivo, i'll go through them when i get a min

 

[Mike B]

Don't know much about upholstery, but I do know that an old electric carving knife is absolutely great for cutting/trimming the cushion foam...

 

[dedee]

Andy,
if you are not in a hurry then evening classes at a local adult education college would probably help. As you are normally asked to bring a project with you to work on you could probably get this done in a single term with very good free advise and use of tools.

Andy