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General
Woodworking
Basic Joints
Plywood + Curves
Covering Edges + Panels
Doors
Shelves
Drawers
Not Wood
Chairs + Upholstery
Resources
Chairs And Upholstery
Upholstery Work | Types Of Frames | Chair and Sofa Frames | Armchair Frame | Upholstery Tools | Upholstery Materials | Foam Rubber | Seats | Backs | Upholstery Details | Chair Angles
Upholstering is an art in itself. While most other operations in furniture construction are done by machine, upholstery work is still done by hand. Expert workmen have usually served a long apprenticeship before acquiring the skill necessary for upholstering a chair or divan. There are, however, several ways that upholstery work can be done by apprentices and amateurs; for example, by substituting foam rubber for the materials used in normal work.
I shall not go into detail about upholstering, but I have illustrated several types of frames, materials and methods of application. I have tried to simplify the presentation to enable even the beginner to understand each method.
The frame, in either wood or metal, is the skeleton of the furniture piece. Upon its construction depend both the comfort and the strength of the chair.
A and B—Two different types of bench frames
D—Frame for webbing seat
C—Round frame covered with cardboard: The upholstering material is added later.
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Metal frame stool for cord or canvas sea t See page 95 for details of joints.
Wooden frame for a modern chair
The back and seat may be covered in upholstery, webbing, or cord. See page 37 for corner details.
One example of a metal frame chair
The rubber supports between the seat and back give elasticity to the seat.
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Common type of wooden chair frame that will take an upholstered seat
A—Wood frame for armchair with seat and back upholstered.
B—Frame for an upholstered office armchair. A swivel base may be substituted if desired.
A—A modern armchair that will have both seat and back upholstered
B—Frame for modern type of armless sofa and loveseat, using an upholstered finish for back and seat
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Frame for modern armchair, with loose seat construction. Increasing the width will convert the same design to a loveseat or sofa.
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A—Rubberized hair is a light and elastic material of relative low cost which is used in mass production. It can be easily applied with staples or tacks, and is available in the same sizes as foam rubber.
B and C—Foam rubber is made from liquid latex, which forms a cream-like foam after being put through air pressure. It is then poured into molds of desired size. In upholstery work it gives better results than stuffing, and is quicker and easier to use. Foam rubber is made in different grades of firmness, and the right grade should be selected for the job to be done.
Solid-slab utility stock (B) comes in many thicknesses from ¼ in. to l¼ in. Cored utility stock (C) is molded with cylindrical openings in the core. Its thickness varies from ¾ in. to 4½ in.
D—Full molded cushions can be purchased in a variety of sizes and shapes.
E—Cut foam rubber with either scissors or band saw. Cutting is easier if the scissors are dipped into warm water.
F—Small pieces glued together with rubber adhesive to form one large piece
G—Flat stock glued to a slab
H—Full cushion made from cored stock
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A—Method of applying tacking tape or adhesive-backed tape around the edges of a foam rubber slab, using cement.
D and E—In making contoured edges the foam rubber should be cut ¾ in. larger than the piece being upholstered.
B and C—Two different uses of tacking tape: The rubber cushion is cut ¼in. larger than the piece it covers.
F and G—Another way of making a curved edge
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A and B—Simple leather seats like these are easily installed, as the details show.
C and D—Seats made with cord are expensive because they take time to make.
The seat design is very important in upholstery work, for upon its construction depends the usefulness of the chair or divan. Each seat must be made in accordance with the type of frame to which it is attached. It may be movable or fixed, light or heavy. A wide variety of materials may be used.
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A and B—Seats made with raffia in different designs
C—A type of canvas seat often used with steel frames
D—Webbing seat used in modern furniture
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A and B—Cane makes a good seat. Note the alternate method of attaching the cane shown in Diagram B.
C and D—Two different types of upholstered seat: Cushions are permanently attached to the chair frame.
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These four seats are made independently of the chair frame. In commercial work, greater speed of assembly is possible when frame and seat are made independently.
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Foam rubber may be used over a number of other materials. Plywood or cardboard may be used as shown in (A) and (B). Rubber over webbing is used in (C).
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Rubber straps have been developed to serve as springs. The two methods shown at right are recommended for anchoring the straps under loose cushions.
Upholstered seats require crossing and weaving of straps. The anchoring detail shown at right for side rails can also be used for chair backs (see also p. 121).
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Coil spring seats covered with rubber. (A) is a tight seat. (B) is a heavy seat that is suitable for an armchair or sofa.
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Loose or independent seat construction which may be used with an armchair or sofa
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The back of a chair is usually lighter in construction and more rigid than the seat. There are exceptions; sometimes the seat is of wood and the back is upholstered. Like the seat, the back may be constructed in a number of ways. I have illustrated a few of the best methods.
A—Wooden wood screws back attached with wood screws.
B—Canvas back, with sheet metal screws inserted to keep the fabric from sliding down the metal pipe
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A—Straw, raffia, or flag rush used to form back
B—Cord back, easy to make
C—Simple upholstered back suitable for modern furniture
D—Wood back covered with foam rubber and fabric
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A—Foam rubber back over webbing
B—Foam rubber applied over a No-Sag spring, with spring clip attached to the frame in the usual position
C—Detail showing angular spring clip Backs
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A—Method of applying upholstery material in the corner formed by the seat and back
B—One method of attaching the material where the arm meets the seat
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The fabric can be tacked to the back of a chair or sofa through a metal or cardboard tacking strip, thus avoiding hand sewing. The webbing here uses rubber straps (see also p. 114), and seat and back are formed in one continuous line.
A rubber knife edge can be used to line the front rail for greater comfort. As shown at right, the fabric is fastened directly to the rail, to avoid any interference with the "spring" of the seat.
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Man sits to read, work, rest, and eat. For each purpose the furniture must be designed for the comfort of the sitter.
Whether it be a chair, armchair, or divan, the correct angles cannot be calculated mechanically. The real proof of comfort and approved angle can be checked only from a completed model. In the examples shown I have given the basic angles which have been found to give satisfactory results.
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