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I have two armchairs I want to reupholster myself (under professional supervision of course). I don't want to enrol in a nightclass and front up to be told that the frame doesn't warrant the work or expense of fabric. How do I assess the chairs?

Any tips from an upholsterer? Or someone knowledgeable in a related trade?

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Go to the nearest library for info. They should have at least one "how to" book on hand to give you an idea if you want to attempt it your self. Depending on the style of furniture it may save you alot of money or you may decide its worth having some one else do for you. Good luck

upholsterer
I thought you were talking about a gun :%)

I cant help you though

I am a Cabinet Maker & Chair Maker with French Polishing experience What do you exactly mean by

How do I assess the chairs?

You can also spend a lot of money buying all the materials and doing any repairs if necessary.

Are you refering to removing all the old material etc?

I am not a upholsterer even with my trade skills I would still prefer to use the correct trades people.

Depending on the chair it could involve more than one trade.
Chair maker, polisher, and a uphosterer

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Gun? I know nothing about gun names.

I just want to recover because I do not like the fabric. In the early 90's I did a calligraphy course at a night school. Each week i would see a work in progress being carried to and from the car to the upholstery class. I thought, how cool is that lady working her way through her entire dining suite? One day I am going to learn that too.

Well I have the chairs! and will be enrolling in a night class under the tuteledge of a skilled tradesperson and teacher. It is something I want to learn and enjoy not just "get done". I just don't want to turn up expecting all chairs are worth recovering and that mine are appropriate for the class. So I was just doing some background. No wood for refurbishing, they are armchairs that are the sort that accompany lounge suites. You know, a three seater and two one seaters? These are the two one seaters!

No structural work is needed, they are sturdy and comfortable just uggers! And I want to learn a new skill so I am looking to do a course and thought some people may have some knowledge here.



Last edited by wish-ga at 04-Jan-2006 19:06

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

i say take them to the class , if the frames are sturdy then the only thing stopping you is cost.
i was all set to get my lounge redone till the upholsterer told me i need new foam too, which made it about the same price as a new corner lounge.

OH TOLEEDY!

Just paint them.

Wishga, what is the name of the course you will be doing? A friend of mine did a course like this a few years ago and turned an old unusable(slashed seat) chair into a really nice piece. Ever since I have wanted to try this myself but have since lost contact with the friend and cant seem to find it in the listing of my local TAFE.

Last edited by Lindy at 06-Jan-2006 05:49

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Hi,
I've done golf cart seats and our dining room chairs.
Keigth is a good source of information. Another thing
you might do is post a picture or two showing what the
chairs actually look like. Lots of this is really easy
and requires a staple gun, some fabric, and some new foam.
Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 06-Jan-2006 09:37

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Lindy Prahran Tafe should be able to help I think they teach Upholstery apprentices. If not they are a furniture trades school and should be able to assist you.

I taught Cabinet Making there too many years ago.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Thanks for the info Keith, I'll look into it.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Lindy I am looking at going through Macquarie Community College nsw.edu.au/index.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.macquariecc.nsw.edu.au/index.php . TAFE is probably more aimed at people gaining a trade. I will investigate but suspect it may be more than is required for me.

Night classes are great for expanding your skills. I have done photography, quilting, calligraphy &amp; embroidery all as night classes. And soon the upholstery one.

Lindy, are you in Sydney? We could go together!

Last edited by wish-ga at 08-Jan-2006 19:30

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

TAFE Upholstery - Trade - Certificate
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/howex/servlet/Course?Command=GetCourse&amp;CourseNo=5127

This course is for apprentices in the upholstery trade. It teaches you to
upholster all types of furniture using a variety of materials. Some of the
things you learn about include springing, padding, cover application,
attachment, recovering, repair and reupholstery plus the skills of fitting,
marking, cutting and machine sewing of all types of fabrics.

You also learn cabinetmaking, french polishing and woodmachining appreciation.


I was thinking of this level ...
Macquarie Community College Upholstery Restoration
8 weeks $135.00

A practical course only. Bring your old chairs or stools, modern or antique. Learn the art of upholstery restoration and renew your furniture with expert tuition.


Last edited by wish-ga at 08-Jan-2006 19:29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

For those who have a similar project and were wondering if it is worth it. Here is the good oil...

I have called the teacher and he says that if it is a mass produced chair (Ikea, Freedom) it will need to have a bit of reinforcing on the frame but is still worth doing. There is no such thing as a project that is too advanced for a beginner. Just bring the chair and he will advise me so I can do it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Wishga, i'm in Melbourne, so I cant go with you.
Some of the TAFE's here do night hobby courses. Just a matter of finding this one. Being the start of a new year I should start getting all their short course brochures in the mail.

You'll have to snap some pics of the transformation.


PS, couldnt get your links to work. Might just be the computer i'm on now though.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.