Upholstery 101 (week 4)

....continuing with the challenge, this is day 19 of 31.....for all 31, go here

This is also week 4 of my upholstery tutorial project.....


So, what color is my chair?

She's a coral (tomato red), not orange, not red chair

She doesn't shine enough though, so I think I will put a coat of bowling alley wax on her

Here is what I used

Sun Dried Tomato

and it goes perfectly with the fabric I selected from my own hoarding collection.

This is a pattern that will definitely have to be centered

Keeping with a MacKenzie-Childs look, I will use a solid color on the seat, partly because this fabric is a bit light in weight, and a heavier fabric will wear better. Also, because she seems like she wants to have major whimsy!

So, what did I do this week? First, I removed the old two pieces of jute webbing on the back of the chair, and added new support webbing

stapeling it to the under-side of the top back piece (stapeling it to the front would make it too bulky).

Next, I wrapped the end around the bottom support piece and stapled it on the back side

I kept it taut, but did not need to pull super tight, repeat again

Then, working from the inside going across, I added more support

I ran the webbing bechind my vertical support (not a basket weave). This will help support the support!

...repeat that two more times

So much more back support then the original one

Onto the seat bottom. I usually cut fabric (especially burlap) from the entire yardage. If you are uncomfortable working this way, take a length and width measurement, add 4 inches or so each way, and cut a more workable piece. Lay the piece of burlap over the springs

tuck it under the supports to keep it close to the springs

trim off excess...you only need the burlap to cover the springs

Staple along the inside top edge. Not too tight

continue all the way around

Now, the inside back. Using the same method as the seat, staple the top middle

working top, bottom, top bottom, staple the bottom middle

pull from all directions, that way there won't be any excess burlap

trim excess burlap

Back view

This concludes the least fun part of upholstery....the prep. From here on out, I find it really fun....

Hope to see you next Wednesday for the tutorial, and tomorrow for my 31 days!