Expert: Mark H. Miller - 2/17/2012

Question
QUESTION: Mark,

I am nearly finished with reupholstering my club chair but am stuck on finishing the seat cushion properly.  This is the second time I have bought fabric for it and I want to do a good job.  I find that I am unable to make the boxing come out smoothly as I sew it and the welt to the top panel at the position of the inside turn at the T.  Is there a secret to making this turn?  My boxing is warped in that area.  All the videos and books I have bought only address square boxed and welted cushion covers.
Also, I have tried taking upholstery classes in the Houston area but have not found any that give the professional results I seek.  Do you have any advice on where I might take upholstery classes that emphasize upholstery skills that are used by professionals?  I am able to travel.
Thanks,
Judi

ANSWER: Hello Judi,

You should sew the welting on the cushion first and not on the boxing.  Sew the stitch for the welting loose against the cording and sew the boxing tighter, that way you will always hide the first stitch.   Clip the inside of the T in 3 to 4 spots right up to the stitch line after you sew the welt so that you can pull the cushion into a straight line and sew boxing on the inside of the T as a straight line - doing that should resolve your problem.  

As you sew put some stretch on the bottom layer and feed the piece that you are adding into the foot - this will require some experimenting but will also help once you get the knack.

A major factor in sewing difficulties is the fabric you chose.  A tweed like material is best for beginners.  Velvets, mohair, silks, leather and naugahydes, among others, are difficult for beginners.  Never upholster with a fabric that is intended for garments or draperies as a project for beginners.  Since you didn't say what type of fabric you are using I can't determine if the fabric you chose is part of the problem.

Finding someone to teach upholstering has been a major challenge as long as there has been upholstered furniture.  Community Colleges are in my opinion the best resource for beginners.  After completing some Community College classes the next step - and the most difficult, is an on the job apprenticeship.  Small upholstery shops will sometimes hire someone to take off the old fabric for furniture to be reupholstered.  Offering to do that may get you a foot in the door - and is in my opinion the very best way to learn upholstering - by taking apart old furniture that is going to be re-upholstered.

I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.    

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark,

Thank you for your response.  I am grateful for your help.  The fabric in question is called sensuede.

Thanks again,

Judi

ANSWER: Hello Judi,

I assume that sensuede is a synthetic suede and as such perfect for a beginner.  If you follow the suggestions in my reply to your question the results should be an excellent cushion.  Good luck and have fun.  When it's all over sit down and relax in your new chair :-)

Mark Miller.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark,

Thank you again for your help regarding the t-cushion.  I am ready to recover a settee and the chosen fabric is a heavyweight linen.  ( i feel pretty sure that linen is not the best choice in this instance, but I am willing because the settee owner chose it.)  Restoration Hardware currently has a furniture line which is upholstered in a similar linen fabric and the owner wants to emulate that look.  I have laid the old pattern pieces on the linen and I am ready to start cutting the fabric, but I thought it would be wise to check with you beforehand to find out if you have any suggestions of any kind in regard to cutting, sewing, attaching, etc., linen.  This is my first time to ever to work with linen.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Judi

Answer
Hi Judi,

Linen is easy to work with and a good choice.  You are on the right track in the way you intend to do the job.

There is one characteristic that linen has that you should be aware of.  When you stretch linen it stays stretched and does not return to it's old shape.  So if you stretch your linen in the sewing process you will end up with a cushion that is larger than what you cut.  So just be sure not to stretch the linen while you sew it.  

Some upholsterers will actually go so far as to put masking tape on the wrong side of the fabric where it is sewn to prevent the stretching,  then just leave the masking tape there.

The only disadvantage of that is that the glue on the back of the masking tape will clog up the sewing machine needle and if the fabric is ever dry cleaned the glue will damage the fabric.


I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.