Due to Technical Difficulties.....Mother Nature

.....I am not able to continue with the challenge.....Mother Nature had other plans for me

Hope you are safe and well!

Got Paint?

......continuing on with the challenge, this is day 29 of 31.....for all 31, go here

The easiest way to transform a room is with paint. Well, now that might be true with upholstery, too.

Imagine if your white sofa had a permanant stain, you could do this

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I think it takes a "pop of color" to a whole new level

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I have never tried painting on fabric....but my friend has....

Danylle over at Nana Moon Shop did this great tutorial with fabric medium. She shows you how to turn this

into this

...and if you learn how to do that....then, you could do this

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Hop on over to check out this great tutorial. She would love to know what you think!

Although there are only two day remaining for the challenge, my upholstery tutorial will continue on Wednesdays. Thanks for stopping by

What's Your Little Secret?

....continuing on with the challenge, this is day 28 of 31...for all 31, go here

It seems as though everyone has a trick, or little secret as to how they keep their upholstery clean...here is mine

I wanted one of these Bissell mini cleaners for the longest time. Would I really use it? Does it really work? Yes and Yes!


With two kids, a husband, and Buster

Things can get pretty dirty around here. This is my favorite solution

Pet & Stain

So, that's my secret...what is yours?


This is not a sponsored post. It is my honest opinion. In fact, Bissell, call me!

Transportation

.....continuing with the challenge, this is day 27 of 31, for all of 31, go here

Upholster my ride?

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Recycled

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limo

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Subway

Subway

Catch any?

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Space travel

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Train

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VW Beatle

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Hummer Limo

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Helicopter

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Celebrity RV

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Do you have a favorite way to travel?

Upholstery 101 (week 5)

.....continuing on with the challenge, this is day 26 of 31....for all 31, go here

If you are new to upholstery 101, start here.

So, this is where we left off

Since then, I added burlap to the inside arms. The same way I did the back

I can't find my craft paper, so I am using wrapping paper to make a template for the foam

With a pen, pencil, marker, crayons.....trace the inside area onto the paper and cut the template

Re-install the edge-roll that was saved from the original chair. The purpose of this is to help keep stuffing, horsehair, foam into shape. It is also there to give a finished look to the front edge of the chair

 You want to make sure that the middle of the roll covers the edge of the chair

Once you like the position, tack it down

Place the template back on the chair. The foam should meet the front end of the edge-roll. I will add 1" to the front of this template

Place the template on the foam and trace around it. Note, it is much better to cut it too large, and trim to fit!

I am sure that you have seen people cutting foam with a turkey carver, well that is because it works the best. However, again...if this is only a one time thing for you, use what you have

Once the foam is cut, I like to bevel the edge all the way around with a razor blade. If you are looking for a crisp square edge, then don't do this

On the FRONT EDGE only, I flip the foam and bevel the underside

Don't worry about imperfections...it will be fine

The under bevel helps allow the foam to sit nicely on top of the edge-roll. The top is beveled too, the photo is not showing it. Next, place a sheet of dacron (batting) onto the foam. This is what will help hold the foam into shape and take some of the pressure off of the fabric

Again, I like to work off of the bolt, but if it is easier for you, trim a piece that is manageable for you. FIRMLY pressing down on the foam, staple along the edge into the wood frame. Be extra careful not to staple into the finished area

Trim off excess

You can see that it is looking softer along the front edge. Tuck the dacron all around the chair, and push and staple....I had my son sit on the foam while I stapled the back. It was not possible to push down and staple from that angle

Here is the seat, slowly gaining it's shape back

Here is a side view

I will l repeat these steps for the inside back of the chair. Note, since my foam is so thick, I will look at the chair tomorrow, and possibly add another layer of dacron over this one if the seat is not holding the shape. 

Thanks for joining me. Hope to see you again, next Wednesday. If you have a DIY upholstery project, I would love to hear about it!

Just Sit on IT!

......continuing with the challenge, this is day 25 of 31....for all 31, go here

While preparing for tomorrow's upholstery tutorial, I realized that I did not tell you enough about foam.

How much cush for you tush?

It is very scientific....not really, you just SIT ON IT! Let me show you. Here is the chair with just springs and burlap

Starting with 1" High Density foam

Too hard


Next up, 2"

Better, still a bit hard for my derriere


The Papa Bear, 3"

Yes!

The foam will have a layer of dacron, so I'll test it that way....

It is a plush seat, my personal preference.

Same method for the back

This is the winning combo; a 3" High Density foam for the seat, with a 2" High Density foam for the back.....your bum may have a different preference.

Do you prefer a plush chair, or a firm chair?

Or, you can do this....

....continuing with the challenge, this is day 24 of 31....for all 31, go here

I have heard from a few of you that making piping for upholstery....is not easy. I think that is very accurate. It is NOT beyond your ability, though.

However, there is always another way. If you were not aware, ready-made piping is widely available in a rainbow of colors

So, you can do this

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or this

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This one makes me smile

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Mod & hip

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So glam, love this

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Do they ever make a mistake?

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Love, again

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Are you the type to make your own, buy ready-made, or call the upholsterer?