If you spend anytime online socializing, you've heard of Pinterest. You may even have seen a friend post a gorgeous reupholstered piece of
furniture. Smiling, she looks like she performed a magic trick. You don’t want to tell her that you have no
idea where to start. Take the picture-perfectness out of the equation.
The first thing you should consider is whether or not
reupholstering is the right choice. Upholsterers recommend that you consider
two things. One is that reupholstering
isn’t necessarily less expensive than buying something new even if there are
cost effective ways. Compare the costs associated with reupholstering with a
piece that you might purchase. If the piece is well made, you would likely be
doing yourself a favor reupholstering it. Secondly, consider whether the piece
has sentimental value or is an heirloom. If it is, then reupholstering is a
good idea. Finally, hobby upholsterers who scour stores for furniture pieces
that can be reupholstered often suggest that if you love custom designing,
you’ll enjoy turning old furniture into something that reflects your
personality.
Once you decide but before you begin, make sure that the
furniture that you are considering reupholstering has a stable frame. If you’re
thinking of reupholstering a chair, flip the chair over and make sure that it is
hardwood and kiln-dried. Also, check for intact corner braces and stable
construction. Secondly, as you turn your attention to the type of fabric you
are planning on using, make sure you get a sample from a store so that you can
see if it fits the piece of furniture you are working on. It might not look as
good as you expect, and this is one way to prevent that from happening. Finally,
remember to look over the item and examine it closely, committing the
construction of the seams, stapling and sewing either to memory or a diagram. By
keeping notes, you won’t be stuck wondering how to attach the new fabric to the
frame.
Be methodical when removing the old fabric. While removing
the fabric, remove one section at a time, and number each section. The reason
for this is that you will be tracing the old covering onto the new covering,
plus an extra inch around each section. Numbering each piece as you remove it helps,
because some reupholsterers suggest reversing the order when you apply the new
fabric.
When you pick your fabric, remember this is where you can
use your imagination. While it can be an investment, here are some excellent
tips while considering your style.[1]
As you move from considering to doing, I recommend this
reupholster’s journey as an value adding explanation.[2]
No comments:
Post a Comment