And the fun begins: Retro Loveseat

[Darren Henry]

Instead of cotton I tie the strings around a 3" piece of tee braid welt folded in half.

[65Buick]

Starting to understand this a bit more - make spring tying seem easy!

You super pro folks - after you've determined where you want to button, are you able tob just eyeball the fabric for needle placement?

[MinUph]

Yes. You work with the weave of the fabric. How I do it is start from a horizontal like across the goods and a center line going up the goods chalked on the back of the fabric. I do the bottom row first then work up from there keeping the weave straight and working the fabric and folds to lay nice as I go. Adjusting the folds after the burron is in. The only time I would mark the back for each button is if I were tufting a board and 1" of foam/cotton.

[65Buick]

Previously, there were 3 fabric sections. One for the middle, and then 2 armrest sections. They were sewn in.

If I have the fabric, which I might, wouldn't it be easier to sew 2 big pieces together that runs right down the middle of the backrest?

[kodydog]

Starting to understand this a bit more - make spring tying seem easy!

You super pro folks - after you've determined where you want to button, are you able tob just eyeball the fabric for needle placement?

I know some folks who can do it this way. I have never been able. I draw the lines on the back of the fabric but only for reference points. Different types of fabric, different thickness of foam and different foam densities, even different styles of furniture make the hole placement... different. You may have to deviate from the lines but you can use the lines to give you a good idea where you are at.
 

[MinUph]

Starting to understand this a bit more - make spring tying seem easy!

You super pro folks - after you've determined where you want to button, are you able tob just eyeball the fabric for needle placement?

I don't know about super pro but I do it this way. I don't really "eyeball" but pull the fabric where I want it using the grain or "weave" to keep things straight. Re-tufting old is a bit different than all new.

I know some folks who can do it this way. I have never been able. I draw the lines on the back of the fabric but only for reference points. Different types of fabric, different thickness of foam and different foam densities, even different styles of furniture make the hole placement... different. You may have to deviate from the lines but you can use the lines to give you a good idea where you are at.

[kodydog]

This guy looks like he's done it a time or two,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eOcXRwx_eM

[65Buick]

That's the guy Kody. I've been watching that video on repeat. Makes it look easy.

[SteveA]

Is that one piece of leather ?
SA

[kodydog]

That guy looks like he could tuft with his eyes closed. I'm guessing he does this everyday, 5 days a week. He does a very nice job. I notice he lets all the extra, loose fabric gather where the back meets the arm.

[65Buick]

Is that one piece of leather ?
SA

No. You can see a seam down the middle of the backrest. If you look closely, you can also see the corners have been sewn. But I think that's to make the pleating easier. I think this is two big pieces of leather.

And Kody, yes. He is impressive. If you look at the comments he gets paid by the job. But he is quick and methodical.

[65Buick]

Made it to here:

http://gdurl.com/S_Rk

I thought diamond tufting was developed to be able to round inside corners like this. But I don't see a way.
The old fabric was stitched just after the corner.

I have sewn a seam down the middle, making the width of the fabric 108".

[MinUph]

Is your seam right down the middle of the far left buttons?

[65Buick]

Yes, the seam is exactly where you stated. It's the center of the piece.

[65Buick]

Paul, I can see that piecing at the sides is not the only way of doing this. But, is it the easiest?
I have struggled with this for too long. I may have to move on or just upholster it flat.