Recent posts

[REFERRALS WELCOME!]

21

General Discussion / HIGH INCOME POTENTIAL! HIRING ...

Last post by Mario Insenga - June 16, 2021, 07:57:31 am

We are now hiring skilled subcontractors with experience in commercial furniture upholstering pattern and cutting development, production cutting and sewing, disassembling and reassembling. Must be willing to travel to hospitality projects in the United States. High income potential.

REFERRALS WELCOME!

English language required. Please send resume and contact information to Jeanne@trt-us.com and include a current phone number and email.

22

General Discussion / Match cushion circa 1990

Last post by Ingarden - April 27, 2021, 10:30:09 am

We recently bought a vintage sofa online that is a match to one we've had for almost 30 years.  Cosmetically they both look perfect and identical (though in different fabrics), but the cushion on our original is almost 10 pounds heavier than the cushion on the vintage one we just bought. The thickness is the same, but our original is MUCH more substantial and more comfortable.  The sofas were originally pretty expensive and well made (Hancock & Moore ball & claw Chippendale).  The new vintage one looks like it has been professionally reupholstered, and I suspect they changed the cushion.  I'd like to replace/upgrade it to come as close to our heavier original as possible.  I don't know if modern foam and dacron would do the trick --it almost feels as if our original might have springs in the cushion.  It's hard for me to tell (I'm an experienced seamstress but a novice upholster).  Any idea on what a maker like Hancock & Moore might have used for sofa cushions in 1990?  Thanks for the help!

23

General Discussion / pli grip on leather

Last post by rick-l - April 24, 2021, 11:39:06 am

Anybody still here?  I last posted 9 years ago.

I have an old chair that belonged to my rich uncle.  I remember from my childhood it was leather and to a 3 or 4 year old it seemed huge.  When the leather wore out and split my family got it and my mother reupholstered it in fabric, probably about 60 years ago.  The springs broke and it is no longer usable.  I found some surplus leather that with some "decorative stitching" I think I have enough.

I want to put leather side panels and back on the chair. They were done in fabric with cardboard tack strips and hand sewn.  With the leather for the straight edges I was planning to use cardboard and metal tack strips.  One edge however is fairly curvy.  Will pli grip work with a fairly thick leather?

Any tips or things to watch out for?
 

24

The Business Of Upholstery / Re: Looking for a Marine Canva...

Last post by bobbin - April 16, 2021, 07:41:11 am

I wonder if you have found someone to fill your position.  I ask because I live in your general area and know well how difficult it is to find skilled, reliable help.  I now work for myself after yrs. of "workin' for the man".  I trained numerous candidates for my employer only to watch them bail after 2-3 mos. of careful supervision. 

The skilled trades are in peril! too many newbies fail to appreciate the necessary attention to detail required; it's NOT "from the neck down" work (not by a long shot!).  In spite of need, I find entirely too many candidates unwilling to do what they must do to achieve anything close to "mastery" of basic skills.  It's discouraging for me.  NO ONE wants to do the work required to learn a trade that's reliable, increasingly in demand, and offers the luxury of self-employment!

25

General Discussion / Re: New ideas old craftsmanshi...

Last post by bobbin - April 16, 2021, 07:27:09 am

I haven't lowered my prices in response to the pandemic.  My time is worth every penny of the 4+ decades I've spent in the needle trades.  I don't "discount" my time because time is a finite commodity. 

My biz sucked wind for 4 mos. in early 2020.  But it rebounded nicely about July '20.  I'm as busy as I wish to be now.  FWIW, I have have never "gotten in over my head" with respect to excess overhead, and in fact, I have prospered under the current pandemic.  Would more tradesmen enjoyed te same benefit!

26

General Discussion / New ideas old craftsmanship

Last post by BCKC - March 19, 2021, 05:29:30 pm

Hey all you fabulous crafters!
Yes been a bitand I'm in the shadows and have watched quietly some come and some go🥺
Quite amazing to see the wonderful work but I have noticed a fall off in this last few year with the shut down of some states...
I have a question?
Are you bringing your prices down or keeping the same as of 2020?
I personally have gone up as to the higher cost of (everything) and see no slow on demand... quality is high priority but given the list as of lately I see a turn down in quality of supplies. How do you measure quality of what your putting out and quality of supplies?

27

How to Use This Forum / Re: How to upholster interior ...

Last post by Inger-in-Norway - January 19, 2021, 03:47:54 am

Hi, Have you checked out the How-to section of this website? You may find some help here: https://store.upholster.com/how-to-upholster/how-to-upholster-car-sunvisors.html

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How to Use This Forum / How to upholster interior sunv...

Last post by Chronamyd - January 18, 2021, 09:43:21 am

I am attempting to upholster my 54 chev belair sunvisors. What is the proper procedure. Thanks chronamyd

29

General Discussion / Need Help with Assembly

Last post by Red - January 07, 2021, 05:50:30 pm

Hi, Newbie here!  I took apart a goose neck platform rocker years ago.  I took notes, photos.  I'm starting to work on it now and have nothing on where this spring goes.  Does it go on the bottom seat cushion or the back cushion?

30

The Business Of Upholstery / Re: Starting a new upholstery ...

Last post by Inger-in-Norway - November 30, 2020, 12:00:06 am

Hi, try this link: https://store.upholster.com/how-to-upholster. It leads to a page on this site, but it seems the navigation button 'How-to' has not been updated yet.
On that page, scroll down below the first video, and you will find some tips on how to run your own business.