Messages

Thanks, Doc.  That helps a lot.  And yes, the lady that makes the drapes knows how to stuff cushions.  I've seen her make boxed cushions before and they were nice.  I think she doesn't like to make them and would rather pay me.  I'll gladly take her money and sew her cushions.  Besides, I like to keep my box cushion making skills sharp.

A local drapery shop has hired me to do several boxed cusions.  One set is for an outdoor chaise lounger, a second set for an old wooden chair and a third set for a built in banquette.  The shop is providing the fabric and they are stuffing the cushions themselves.  I am only cutting and sewing them.  All are corded with zippers.  The only supplies I'm providing are thread, cording and zippers.

I have no idea what to charge.  Do I charge per cushion or by the yard?  I forget the measurements for the chaise lounger cushions but the ones for the wooden chair are around 22" X 24" and the banquette are approx 17" X 82".

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Jeremy

Doc, I'll try your advice with my regular tack hammer.

Paul, how do you use the 1/2" dowel? Is it 1/2" in diameter?

Hi guys.   Th are chairs I'm currently  working on  are nearly entirely trimmed with 7/16" french natural nails.  This is a first for me.  I bought the nylon tipped hammer so not to damage the nails.  I'm having hell with getting the nails hammered in nice and straight. Well, straight is not the right word. The inside and outside arms have a curve.  Does anyone have any advice for me? Maybe I just suck with my hammer skills, who knows. Earlier tonight I was ready to throw the damn hammer across the room in frustration. The first inside arm turned out nice but the second is giving me fits. Maybe I'm having an off day.  I'm pleased with my upholsterying skills on the chair so far. As always any advice is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

If you know of anyone with a long arm quilting machine they could probably quilt up the customer's choice of fabric.  The challege, I think, would be finding a quilter that would be willing to quilt decorator fabric.  I tried it once with a local quilt shop and the lady wouldn't quilt home dec fabric.  Oklahoma Upholstery Supply in Tulsa will quilt fabric for use in upholstery and bed spreads.  Is the customer willing to pay the extra to have fabric quilted?  If so, let us know how the job turns out.  I like the quilted fabric but have never upholstered with it.

Jeremy

I bought the C.S. Osborne spring stretcher. Worked great on resetting the springs. I didn't know such a tool existed until I looked on YouTube.

Paul, your advice makes perfect sense. See why you guys are so great?!?

I'll report back with the finished product, hopefully sooner than later.

Jeremy

I bought a Rainco that SofaDoc mentioned in an earlier reply.  I think it was about $150.  I bought it from a local supplier.  I've been very happy with it. 

Jeremy

I've been dragging my feet on these chairs.  I do that when I take on a project that involves something I haven't done before.

I have a question about the decorative nails.  Because this chair is so old and done with tacks, it appers that originally the nails were functional;  meaning that there were only a few tacks in the areas where the nails were and the nails is what secured the fabric.  Because I'm using staples and not tacks, will I do the same thing or will I use more staples and use the nails as more of a decorative feature?  Will my staples be noticeable?

I hope my question makes sense.  I'm ready to get these chairs out of my shop.  I'm tired of looking at them.  Ha ha.

Thanks,
Jeremy

Hey guys.  Haven't posted in a while.  I check in from time to time.  After a long hiatus I have a project and as always I'm coming here for advice.

I'm recovering a pair of chairs which are much older than I thought.  No staples just tacks and brass nail head trim.  Horsehair and cotton.  I've attached a few pics.

The brackets to the springs have broken.  I'm sure I can get them from my usual place but I have to admit I don't know what they're called.  Is there a trick to getting the springs back like they're supposed to be?

Sofadoc, I believe you told me once to remove the old burlap, cotton and horsehair in the seat bottom as one unit.  That's what I've done on this chair.  If I remember correctly you told me to tack down new burlap and then replace my unit.

Lastly, I've never used the brass nail head trim before.  Should I use the faux stuff on the roll or real nails?  Advice needed there too.  LOL.  Hope I haven't gotten in over my head.







Thanks in advance.  I always get great advice from everyone.

Jeremy

Dave you're one lucky fella to have all those original accessories.  I'm learning that original accessories for these machines are scarce.  Luckily, high shank feet are readily available and cheap.  I ordered the generic knee lifter.  I've been studying my two other industrials with the generic knee lifters and I think it will work.  I would love to have the adjustment manual you mentioned.  Can you post it here or do you need my email addy?

Chris, I took your advice and called Bob about parts and accessories.  Unfortunately he doesn't have anything for the Bernina/Chandlers.  Thanks for the advice and it was worth a shot.

Thanks,
Jeremy

Thanks, Dave.  The parts manual is quite helpful.

Do you have a knee lifter on your 217?  By looking at the machine and the parts manual I think a generic knee lifter will work.  I'm sure an original is impossible to find.

Sure wish I could find some of the feet and attachments shown in the parts manual.  How do machines always get separated from their parts?  Ha ha.

BTW, I ordered a generic cam from eBay.  Glad to hear you've not had any problems with yours.

Thanks,
Jeremy

Hello everyone.  I haven't posted in quite some time.  I haven't been doing any upholstery either.  Shame on me.  Still stitching though.  I'll never give it up.

I recently bought a pretty nice Bernina/Chandler 217.  I found it on Craigslist in the Dallas area (not terribly far from me) at a decent price and thought, why the hell not.  LOL.

I will be calling Bob Kovar soon to order another servo.  The one I bought from him a couple of months ago is great.  Hell, Bob is great!

The reason for my post is I'm looking for parts/accessories for the 217.  The machine has the cam box but unfortunately, did not come with any cams.  It also only came with one foot, the satin stitch foot which will be good to have when I get my hands on some cams.

I'm looking for feet, cams and a knee lifter.  I know a few of you guys have the 217.  If you have any extra accessories that you would like to sell please let me know.  Also, if you know of a good place to get parts for it that would be great also.

Another part in need is in the tension assembly.  This machine has two top tension assemblies.  Not a true double needle.  On one of the tension assemblies it looks as if the pin may be broken off because the tension discs do not release when the presser foot is raised.  I've peered behind the tension assembly at the part that releases the tension and the right-side tension dial pin is either too short or is broken off.  The left-side tension assembly is fine.  I've currently got the machine threaded through the left tension assembly and the stitch is very nice. 

I also understand that the 217 will handle #69 thread.  I won't be doing upholstery on this machine.  it will be used for window treatments, pillows, etc.  The #69 thread probably won't be an issue for me.

Thanks in advance and I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.

Jeremy

I'm very happy with it, Bob.  I can creep along or sew very fast.  Nice that the motor came with the small pulley.  Glad to know the brake pad was an extra.  I'll have to get used to a brake again.  The Enduro didn't have one.

Thank you again.  Glad I bought it :)

Jeremy

My new servo from Bob Kovar arrived yesterday.  As soon as I got home from work I installed it.  Having installed one servo under my belt, this installation was a snap.

I asked Bob about a belt for the machine.  I admitted to him I was using a v-belt from the automotive store.  It was noisy and threw off black gunk.  Bob recommended I go to Atwoods and search for a belt there.

Bob, your advice was great.  I found a belt at Atwoods that was for some sort of lawn trimmer.  It was the size I needed and it fits nicely in the groove on the pulley and the handwheel.  It's not noisy and no more black gunk on my table.

I only had time to sew a few test runs before calling it a night but I really think I'm going to like this motor.  I think, FINALLY, this machine is how I want it.

I do have one question, and please forgive my ignorance...  What the heck do I do with the brake cork?

Thanks,
Jeremy

I called Bob yesterday and ordered a servo.  I hate it that I am stuck with the Enduro.  I can always put it on another machine, I guess.

I'm looking forward to the new servo.  I hope I like it as much as other people do.  I'll post as soon as I get it installed.

Jeremy