Upholstery question
#1
03-08-19, 03:27 PM
Upholstery question
I am picking a daunting task of upholstery for the below sofas. We got the fabric but just wanted an idea on where to start and what kind of sewing is on the covers. Especially the curved pieces has special pattern. See pictures attached.
#2
03-08-19, 05:25 PM
Super Moderator
The strip at the top is called a boxing strip and the pleats are called knife pleats. I'd make the whole strip as wide as the widest part, plus seam allowance. You'd make the knife pleats and sew them down (sew it wider than the widest part so the stitching doesn't show). Then you'd make the cording (or piping) that goes on either side and around. I would glue baste it on to follow the shape, before sewing it on the strip. You should be able to find instructions for making knife pleats and cording on YouTube or I could find something for you, if you want.
You'd have to trace the top of the cushion to make a pattern.
Are you making a slipcover or reupholstering it?
You'd have to trace the top of the cushion to make a pattern.
Are you making a slipcover or reupholstering it?
#3
03-09-19, 07:35 AM
Hello Shadladie,
You are genius. I am planning upholstering. I found few you tube videos as you suggested. Since both seating cushions are sagging in center i want to open and make sure the springs are tight and add new fillings. Here is my plan and please please correct me if my steps will lead to any issues
1. Remove the present upholstered pieces. That way i can take measurements of each pieces and cut new fabric to same sizes before sewing.
2. For sewing i start with the knife pleats as you suggested with allowance for cording.
3. Make the cording to stitch to the knife pleats and to the back seat for sofa and backside of sofa
Questions.
1. This is old sofa so was wondering for backseat and seat cushions what should i use any suggestions?
2. Springs - Do you normally replace with new springs or just the one which looks loose.
Thanks for your help.
2.
You are genius. I am planning upholstering. I found few you tube videos as you suggested. Since both seating cushions are sagging in center i want to open and make sure the springs are tight and add new fillings. Here is my plan and please please correct me if my steps will lead to any issues
1. Remove the present upholstered pieces. That way i can take measurements of each pieces and cut new fabric to same sizes before sewing.
2. For sewing i start with the knife pleats as you suggested with allowance for cording.
3. Make the cording to stitch to the knife pleats and to the back seat for sofa and backside of sofa
Questions.
1. This is old sofa so was wondering for backseat and seat cushions what should i use any suggestions?
2. Springs - Do you normally replace with new springs or just the one which looks loose.
Thanks for your help.
2.
#4
03-09-19, 09:07 AM
Super Moderator
You are genius
Measurements okay but patterns would be better. They sell large rolls of pattern paper or you could buy some cheap lining to use. I think you need the patterns with all those curves.
For the cushions and back cushions I would use a high density foam wrapped with dacron. The Foam Factory has good prices and a good FAQ section. I would use the HD36 regular foam for the cushions and the HD36 High Quality for the seat back.
They also have a how-to for your cushions.
If you're interested in a book, try: This one
I'm not an upholster so I don't really know about springs and if they need replacing. However, here are some YouTube videos you may want to subscribe to. He has a number of them and they're really good. Watching some should help you out quite a bit. ALO Upholstery
#5
03-16-19, 05:23 PM
Hello Shadeladie,
Thank you so much. I learned a lot watching the videos and got my foams and my fabric i want to use. After so many years i took out sewing machine and its not working. I need to buy new machine now. Is there any good machines which people use for upholstery and can do multiple things? I am sure there is no machine which can do dual things like sewing and serger (if someone has invented). I am not looking for too expensive. Was looking at costco thought they might be good. Any ideas?
Thank you so much. I learned a lot watching the videos and got my foams and my fabric i want to use. After so many years i took out sewing machine and its not working. I need to buy new machine now. Is there any good machines which people use for upholstery and can do multiple things? I am sure there is no machine which can do dual things like sewing and serger (if someone has invented). I am not looking for too expensive. Was looking at costco thought they might be good. Any ideas?
#6
03-16-19, 06:26 PM
Super Moderator
I don't know of any sewing machine that can do multiple things. You need and want a good, basic mechanical machine. I like the old, all metal ones. The new plastic ones they make today are junk, unless you buy an expensive one from a brand name place.
If you must buy a new, inexpensive one, I really don't think it matters where or who you buy it from. You'll find the same ones at any store. I think I'd have to recommend a Brother in that case.
If your machine is an old metal one, it would be worth the price to have it repaired.
Afraid there's no sewing and serging machine in one.
If you must buy a new, inexpensive one, I really don't think it matters where or who you buy it from. You'll find the same ones at any store. I think I'd have to recommend a Brother in that case.
If your machine is an old metal one, it would be worth the price to have it repaired.
Afraid there's no sewing and serging machine in one.
#7
03-16-19, 07:18 PM
Group Moderator
Check out the Salvation Army and places like that for used machines. I've seen some decent machines in there for almost no money. They aren't as popular as they once were.
