Expert: Mark H. Miller - 4/17/2010

Question
I have a Ethan Allen "Old Tavern" couch and loveseat from the 1970's that has the Pirelli 2" webbing which has severely stretched and hardened in some places. I am planing to re-web with new Pirelli webbing. From my research I am under the impression that the material needs to be stretched taut before it is stapled into place (It is stapled from the factory). My question is this; How much should the webbing be stretched before it is stapled into place? I have a pull scale, and if I had some specs, could stretch the first piece then mark it and transfer the measurement to the rest? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time concerning this matter.

John B

Answer
Hello John,

Assuming you are right handed,  beginning on the left side as you face the sofa, working toward the right - webbing stretched back to front.   Staple the webbing on the back rail, use lots of staples - put your right hip against the sofa and with your left hand and arm pull as much as you can - 6 inches would be about right.  Then with your right hand immediately staple the webbing down,  let go and cut the webbing with a box cutter or single edge razor blade,  don't cut the webbing with a scissors or you will pull the staples loose.  It is also best if you have the staples at a 45 degree angle to the front rail.  Cut the strips of webbing from the roll as you go - don't pre-cut them all to one size you will not be able to stretch them unless there is adequate webbing to hold on to.  

Some strips of Pirelli will be stretched a little more than others, that doesn't matter.   If there are strips of webbing that also go from left to right do those last and weave them through in a basket weave alternating over then under the next strip of webbing that run from front to back.   Even if there are no strips that currently go from left to right you will have better support if you can install those regardless if they were there before or not.

If you are using the Pirelli webbing that is solid and beige (the best) you will only be able to stretch about 6 inches front to back - if you have the strength to stretch more than that, don't, take care not to stretch so much that the webbing has no give - if you are using the woven webbing you will be able to stretch that much more - don't stretch the woven webbing as much as it will allow, if you do it will have no give - instead use more strips of webbing.  

After a strip of webbing is in place it should - with about 20 or so lbs. of pressure, give about 3 to 4 inches.

Make certain that there is adequate bracing to support the webbing,  all those strips of webbing pulling at once could collapse a frame that does not have adequate bracing.  

I hope this helps,  please don't hesitate to contact me if you need more pointers.  Have fun.

Mark Miller.