Tufting

[65Buick]

Any advice on selecting fabric for true tufting, not just deep buttoning. What to look for, what to avoid, etc.

Thanks

[SteveA]

Just as a general rule stitchers dislike fabrics that stretch
SA

[SteveA]

and large repeats

[kodydog]

Tufting takes time and patience. Draw your pattern on the back of the fabric and know these marks are just a reference. Your buttons may need to be adjusted as you go along. I start at the top and work my way down. Before you poke the button through take your finger and form the diamond pleat. If it looks too tight or too loose adjust it. You don't have to pull the tar out it when you poke the button through. Step back from time to time and see how you are doing. Are the buttons straight? Do your diamonds all look the same? When finished step back and look again. Small adjustments make a world of difference.

My favorite fabric for button tufting is velvet followed by chenille. The tufts just seam to fall into place using these two fabrics. Inside curves are easier, outside curves are harder. Stripes look odd but every once in a while the customer insists and then you just have to do the best you can. I wouldn't even attempt a plaid. A small dot is okay but then you have to make sure to keep the pattern absolutely straight as your tufting away. That's not an easy task.

If you are using the old padding take a good look at it. Old wore out foam can be a pain to work with. Consider replacing any cotton or dacron. I once recovered a chair that was tufted with kapok. I don't know how they did it but when I took the cover off the whole thing fell apart. I replaced it with foam. You will find some old chairs tufted with solid cotton. I would consider replacing this too.

[65Buick]

Just as a general rule stitchers dislike fabrics that stretch
SA

You mean for diamonds? Not trying to do that here - just pleats.

[MinUph]

Just as a general rule stitchers dislike fabrics that stretch
SA

You mean for diamonds? Not trying to do that here - just pleats.

What are you considering tufting?

[65Buick]

Paul, this little vintage loveseat.

Apparently it's just deep buttoning on the IB and buttoned around the armrest.
Though, things could be changed if it makes sense.

http://gdurl.com/gR1a

[kodydog]

Some would call that diamond tufting. Sloppily done. The tufts can be eliminated. You can either fill the holes with some kind of fill or replace the foam. I would piece the back and arms by putting a seam where the arms meet the back. You can add buttons to this design also.

This is what I call true tufting or diamond tufting.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gZhKvKQDXXi2ifUt1

There is also a square type tufting that is a real PIA. There is a type of sewn tufting that makes it much easier but has a different look. 

[MinUph]

Paul, this little vintage loveseat.

Apparently it's just deep buttoning on the IB and buttoned around the armrest.
Though, things could be changed if it makes sense.

http://gdurl.com/gR1a

While that is considered tufting it is old looking and may have just been done too loose to hold up. A buttoned back as an example would not have all the folds. It would just have indentations where the buttons were no folds. This is an example of diamond tufting while not the best it is what it is. The top straight folds are just the way those sections are finished.
Velvets do work best for this. I've always like cotton Velvet for tufting as the steamer finished the product up nicely with a good cotton velvet but mot any fabric will do. As mentioned some patterns are lost in the folds but most anything can be tufted.
So what look are you trying to get?

[65Buick]

I see. At first I thought it was just deep buttons but I can see it was pleated at some point. I do believe this is original but haven't had time to even get it out the van yet.

I'm going to offer it to my designers before I start anything. I know they are working on a wide range of projects so really it could be for anything.

Just hoping they are not wanting one of these colorless pieces that is so pervasive right now. The 'rustic' look with basically alk white furniture.

Anyone looking, approximately how many yards, tufted or not turfted?

My guess is 8-10 not tufted.

[65Buick]

As I look around, I wonder if really any pattern can be tufted. Or maybe they can, but I think it's best to stick with a solid here. Shooting for velvet, though expensive, I think it would sell the piece.

[65Buick]

My yardage estimation has been fairly accurate but does anyone have any tips? I'm going to be ordering an expensive fabric and want to get as close as possible.

[kodydog]

https://www.fabricguru.com/index.php?subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&search_id=&q=cotton+velvet&cid=196&dispatch=products.search&security_hash=cd27574a3f7b5940cb5e990e8a1a7db8&page=2

Just remember all fabric has flaws in it. It sucks to get half way through cutting a pattern and find a flaw at a crucial point. It can really screw up your yardage estimate. Try this site for great prices on cotton velvet.

[Darren Henry]

yardage estimation has been fairly accurate but does anyone have any tips?

I was taught to add 35% for tufting. There is also a chart for pattern repeat. I'll try to find a link to it tonight.