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
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
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!