As part of my trade I've been refinishing wood...floors, trim, cabinets, etc...for close to 18 years. As a hobby I've always enjoyed refinishing pieces of dilapidated furniture I've come across, mostly tables and chairs with stapled on fabrics. I've gotten quite good at the wood, so this past Winter I decided to take upholstery classes at a custom interior shop down the street from my house so I can tackle bigger and better pieces.
My first project is a Schnadig Chair from the early 60's, or as my Wife and I refer to it...the "Funky Chair". Two-tone Orange crushed velour. Other than the armrest fabric the chair is pristine! But, it's in need of a re-do. I've got the legs stripped and sanded and the fabric is starting to come off. I'll post more as the project proceeds. The fabric is below...still sticking with two-tone motif and velour just a bit more modern.
The hideous chair in the background is the next contestant for upholstery. It was made by the Artistic Furniture Co. in Detroit back in the 60's. It was another thrift find for $12.50.
Fabric Stripped
Fabric is all stripped. I'm stretching the springs and tightening later on. As soon as the fabric arrives the reconstruction starts.
When you take apart furniture from this era you come to find the old adage "They don't make it like they use to" to be true. The frame of this chair is solid maple and oak.
I was meant to find my chair's kin.
Found the matching Schnadig sofa and chair today, which I'm going to barter some painting and plaster labor for. The sofa is the same orange as was my chair's body and the chair is a solid avocadoish green. The chair has a much shorter back than mine as does the sofa.
First day of upholstery class
Two hours of class went by way too fast. I could have easily been up for another 2-3 hours. I feel I got a lot accomplished for a beginner.
1. Re-stretched a loose spring.
2. Made measurements of every individual piece of fabric's general size.
3. Stapled burlap over rear and seat decking springs.
4. Measured and cut out rear seat cushion.
5. Attached cotton batting to seat decking.
Got the insides of padded and...
Got the insides padded and upholstered. Turned out pretty good for a first time...no lumps. The cushion fabric is just laid in place to see how it will look. The outsides will be finished next class as well as the front panel. Cushion sewing won't be done by me on my first go. The back cushion is to be sewn to the back, which I'm told is quite a bit more difficult that sewing a normal box cushion.
oh god, poor FP might feel...
oh god, poor FP might feel like I'm on his case...if you have limited funds and aren't entirely confident or are learning a new thing choose the best and plainest you can afford, stop and think before you spend or take scissors to something...if need be walk away for a few days.
I've used a few fabrics but the first time I got a sample of of kvadrat divina I just about fell over, like handling liquid perfection.
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