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Hey folks. I hope you are all well.

Yep, I'm still saying "sure I can do that."  Any suggestions on how to remove the back of this chair?



Aside from removing the upholstery, and looking, I've got nothing.  I'm afraid it might be a "one shot deal" type of system.  I have tried to lift "up" but nothing.  Thanks everyone. 

With high regards,

Carol

Good morning.  Could one of you really smart folks advise me as to how to repair this rail?  The nails pictured are what I removed from the two layers of webbing.  It appears that the previous upholster added another layer of webbing under the springs instead of replacing.  Thank you everyone. 

Hello all.  I purchased an upholster's estate and this tool was part of the lot.  Can any of you tell me what it is?  It says Landis Mach Co and American made.  I have googled all of the numbers with no result.  Thanks Carol


http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/cthomps123/library/Mystery%20Tool

I have the opportunity to upholster these shower benches.  Could any of you please tell me what was used to seal the seam?  It has to look nice because the bench is usually folded up and the seem is exposed.  The top is upholstered with what I think is marine vinyl.  Then the underside is covered with vinyl.  The edges are then sealed  with about 1/2" of "something" to keep water from entering.  It is the "something" I am asking about.  LOL  Thanks  hopefully the link works.

Hello,

Last summer I did some work for a local fitness center.  I picked up pieces and returned them in the morning.  I was just approached, buy the same chain store in a city 1hr and 15 minutes away from home.

Do you travel?  How do you bill.  I would think you would bill for travel time both directions, plus the time it takes to load and unload.  The email said "a couple of pieces".  Im not sure I would do it for such a low quanity, but I would appreciate any advice before answering her email.  It could end up being a nice little gig.  Good to get out of the house as long as the $'s are there. 
Thank you.  Carol 

I have the opportunity to either buy this machine outright or trade work hours.  Do any of you have an opinion as to the value?  I am guessing it is about 10 years old. Runs well and I have sewn on it for about 6 months.   Is there such a thing as a "blue book" of industrial sewing machines?  Thanks  Carol

I am wondering what book you folks have in your personal libraries?  I was looking for a guide to furniture identification on Amazon and didn't know what would be the best choice.  If I'm going to keep going to work in upholstery, I need to learn the different styles of chairs etc.   Maybe you experienced folks could recommend some reading material for us newbies.  So the question is...

What are your go to resource books or other media?

Thank you.  Carol

Hello everyone.  I got a call to make an RV Bra.  The project should be manageable for me, but I am not sure what is the best fabric for this application.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks 

Carol

Hello everyone.  I have a pontoon cover to be re-stitched.  I have a zig zag machine available.  Is there any benefit or detriment to zig-zaging the seams?  I was worried about extra holes.  Customer requested zig zag. 

Thanks  Carol

I have sewn professionally for over 30 years.  Mostly alterations, repairs, production, design, bridal etc.  I have also dabbled in canvas, sail repair, and upholstery for as many years.

My question is this.  I have never advertised upholstery.  I do not know if my skills are competent enough.  I have a lot of miscellaneous project for people with the help of you all.  Chairs, restaurant booths, snowmobile seats, tractor seats, pontoon, bar rails, foot stools, ottomans,  countless cushions and pillows etc.  It as been all from word of mouth.  When people call, I try and do a best guess to determine if I have the necessary skills to complete the project.  I have all the books, and cd's and you, for help.  I also have a public library and university library available. 

I have determined that I would rather have a big check from a big project, than a little "hem the jeans" check.  I'm just not sure when I can change  from....."I do some upholstery" to "I am an upholsterer". 

I live in a town of about 15000, and there isn't anyone else doing upholstery in the area.  In the closest town, there is a shop where folks with disabilities learn to do the work.  There is a one year wait.  I have most of the tools, and a pretty good stash of supplies.  Any insight would be appreciated.  Thank you.

I checked the archives and could not find anything relevant to my question.  I have a customer who brought me 4 stuffed couch pillow backs. There are also 4 decorator pillows.  She wanted the stuffing removed, the stuffing fluffed up and re-used. 

My question is:  Is there a faster way to do this?  I knew it would take awhile, but it took me two days to do one large and one small pillow!  They are a fiberfill and down mix.  The result is nice, but I certainly cant guarantee how long they will stay fluffy. 

I sat and teased/pulled it all apart, and then re-stuffed the pillow. It looks really nice but takes forever. Is there a magic tool or trick to speed this up?  I did suggest new stuffing, but she didn't want that. 

Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thank you.  Carol

Hello all.  I was wondering if any of you offer chair caning as part of your business?  I am a 4 harness weaver and have made many baskets.  With the bit of research I have done, it looks to be a reasonable art for me to learn and provide as an additional service to my customers.  I am not sure how big of a demand there is in a town of 17,000 folks but here is a town about 25 miles away that is about 80,000.  The best I can surmise, there is no one offering this service in the area.  

What do you all think?  I really enjoy weaving and basketry so it seams like a natural fit.  Question is, could actually make any money, if I invest time in learning the art? Also if you do offer this service, where do you purchase your supplies?  

Thanks for the input and opinions.   Carol

Good morning everyone.  Apparently everyone in my little town thinks I can sew anything!

I have taken on an arm rest for a 2008 Gulfstream Endura/Conquest motorhome.  It looks like a manageable project for my skills, but where do I get the fabric?  Do I just try and match it as close as I can, or can I actually find the original fabric?

Thank you.

Carol

Hello,

Quick question.  Is it necessary to heat cut, or edge finish, Sunbrella for patio cushions?

Thanks.

Carol

I have a Singer 20U that I use for production of a product.  I use it about 4 months out of the year.  I am thinking about buying a Consew 146RB to use the rest of the year.  Is it possible to change out the heads, but use the same servo and table?  Im trying to save space and $'s.  I will eventually set up both machines, but for now I am wondering if it would work and b worth the hassle.  Thanks  Carol

Hello all.  Again I seek the advise of the all knowing professionals on the forum.  I am starting to upholster a pontoon on Monday.  It is my first one and I will be working on site in a really nice heated shop.  I would appreciate any tips, tricks, and advise from you folks before I start.  I'm hoping to avoid some major "oh sh$t" moments!  Thank you for your time and your willingness to share your knowledge.  Carol

Apparently I am now the go-to-gal for restaurants booths!  It will be great when I actually know how to do it!  I have been called back to the original "just put some backs on them" place and did 4 more.  They look great and he was pleased.  He also wants me to recover 9 standard booths. Two singles, one 8 feet long and the rest are back to back.  I looked at them quite carefully, and believe I can do it, however I have one question.

How does the decorative wooden strip come off the end?  I am guessing it just pry's off, but in lieu of breaking it, I thought I would ask first.  It is about 3" wide and runs vertically up the end.  It is covering the fabric ends. 

Thank you all.  Carol

I guess I'm gonna be the go-to gal for restaurant booth business in my little town.  There is a new Denny's opening here and the upholsterer they hired, backed out at the last minute.  A friend referred me. They called and I bid 25 booth seats only. I hung up the phone and said to myself,  "oh s@*t, now what do I do? They have to be done and put back together by the 24Th.  The owner is going to try and do the backs.  We'll see. I'm guessing I will get those as well.

They are standard bench seats with gussets (well that's what we would call them in the party dress world) on the sides.   Like a "U" shape sewn in the sides.  They are top stitched around the gussets.    Fabric comes in tomorrow.  I have help tearing down, so I should be able to get it done.  I have no time to mess this up so I have a couple questions.

1.  Does it matter which direction I cut the vinyl?
2.  Using the existing vinyl as a pattern, do I cut the main piece smaller than the old vinyl? I'm guessing the old vinyl would be stretched over the years, although they seem to be good and tight.  They are changing them because of color.  They are using Naugahyde expressions.


I understand that this is something you have all learned with experience. Unfortunately, I don't have this kind of experience. Yet... I am so thankful that you are all here so I can say "yes" to these projects.  I always know there is help available.  Thank you.  When you folks start altering clothes, I can help ;D

I am doing my bid on the restaurant booths and  I think I should include the..... "Well I think it is gonna cost you this much unless..... the foam all needs replacing, the wood is rotten and the springs are shot" statement.  If anyone has any advice or wording, again I would really appreciate the help.  Thanks.  Carol

Me again.  I called a guy about renting a space to work, and ended up looking at 16 restaurant booths to upholster! (I really don't know how this happens.)  :o  There are 8 seats, 7 backs, and one curved seat.  He wants the button tufted seats backs to be changed to match the solid ones.



tufted booth to...



smooth back...

I can do the math for the bid, but since I have not done this before, I do not know how long it "should" take me. So if someone with experience, could let me know how long it would take you, I would appreciate it.  I am still learning here, and I don't want to charge my customer for my education.  Also, there are two others bidding for this job.

I hope I did the photos correctly.  Thank you.  Carol