Steve Cone - Singer Upholstery Basics Plus: Complete Step-By-Step Photo Guide

COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP PHOTO GUIDE

STEVE CONE

Upholstery is often a self-taught craft, learned by experimenting. With this approach, the only instructions for reupholstering a piece of furniture are developed while taking it apart. The obvious dilemma is that you must rely on the cleverness of the person who upholstered before you and risk repeating poor decisions. Singer Upholstery Basics Plus is designed to take the guesswork out of the upholstery process. Used as a guide, this book will help you recognize and repeat quality techniques, while avoiding unprofessional, and sometimes costly, errors.

Upholstery, when done well, can be very rewarding. Consider the creative satisfaction of returning a tattered cast-off to its like-new state, as well as the money saved because you didnt have to buy new. The comfort of a favorite chair need not be sacrificed simply because it no longer suits the color scheme of the room. Family heirlooms become more than cherished souvenirs when they are upholstered to blend with the dcor of the home.

In the Getting Started section, acquaint yourself with the supplies, tools, and terms used for upholstery. Throughout this section, you will find detailed instructions for some of the most frequently required elements in the upholstery process. Use this section as a reference for completing tasks such as stripping, webbing, tying springs, making cushions, and sewing skirts.

Whether your intent is to tackle one project or begin an ongoing hobby, set up a work space away from the general living area of your home. Depending on the amount of time you have available, projects can take several work sessions to complete. You will want to leave your project, supplies, and tools undisturbed between sessions.

The various furniture pieces in the Upholstery Projects section incorporate a full range of basic upholstery techniques for beginner to intermediate skill levels. This new, revised edition of Upholstery Basics includes five additional projects featuring popular furniture pieces. Acknowledging endless furniture design differences, it is likely that you may have to combine techniques from several projects to complete your particular piece. The process for upholstering an easy chair, for example, might include some methods used in both the overstuffed chair and the wing chair. Compare the design features of your furniture item with those shown, and use the upholstery methods that suit your particular project.

Quality upholstery cannot be achieved without the use of a few specially designed tools. If you make the initial investment in these tools and learn the proper way to use them, upholstery projects will be easier to complete and produce more satisfactory results. Tools can be purchased at upholstery supply stores or through catalogs or websites. Check the Yellow Pages or the Internet for the nearest supplier.