Case Study - Gentleman's Oak Armchair
This incredibly proportioned gentleman’s oak armchair had a seat that was low and saggy. A rip-down (removing every piece of filling and webbing and fabric from a chair, leaving just the wooden frame) which took a couple of days revealed oak arms and feet . It was important at this stage to remove tacks sympathetically so as to preserve the show-wood.
Next I refilled and treated the woodwork so as to allow secure, new fixings before cleaning and waxing.
I then began the re-webbing. I doubled-up on the webbing as this adds more strength and longevity. I use only the strongest, red-striped webbing.
It was then time to re-spring the chair and select the correct gauge for the springs. My client had requested a firm seat with a separate box cushion laid on top, to add height.
Springs were then lashed down; a job which requires strength and technique, I often find myself wishing how I had an extra pair of hands (just for this stage). Good quality, strong, heavy weight hessian was then applied over the springs and secured with tacks and further stitching onto the springs. Then it was time for first stuffing in fibre. This was achieved with stitching bridal ties to the hessian and then working fibre over. This stage looks like a hairy mammoth!
A lighter hessian was then applied over and under the fibre and secured again with tacks, onto the wood rebate. Next, is my favourite bit – the actual stitching of a wall and hard-edge roll. For this, a long straight needle is used and the shape of the new seat starts to take shape. It is imperative how the wall is vertical and not over-hanging the seat edge of the chair and the hard-edge roll (the place where the back of your knees rests upon sitting on the seat) is rock-hard, Long-term, longevity of shape will be ensured. No saggy bottoms (seats) in my house! So as to make sure you obtain a great hard-edge roll, the Upholsterer’s third hand (or vital tool) ‘The Regulator’ is utilised. The regulator allows the scooping and filling of hair into the right places. Whilst compiling a hard-edge roll, constant regulating of fibre into the ‘finger width’ of roll is required before stitching secures.
Next, we were ready for the second stuffing. Stuffing ties secured the first stuffing layer, through the hessian, more bridal ties sewn onto the hessian in readiness for threading the second hair layer underneath. This is softer, finer hair and fills any dips created from regulating fibre to the max. A bigger, greyer, woolley mammouth is made. Still, the chair seat won’t have enough stuffing. To finish, a cotton wadding (porridge looking) layer is laid over and cut around the chair frame. None of the cotton wadding should ever cover the frame/show-wood.
Penultimate stage, Calico. Calico isn’t used by all upholsterers. Personally, I prefer a calibar layer as this affords additional fire retardancy, gives a better shape and provides a great base layer for my Client’s lovely new fabric. Long-term, if my client ever chooses to change their top cover fabric, this allows for less expense and ease. I always create a good base. As with decorating, preparation is the key!
Only now, could I apply the gorgeous Blendworth Linen fabric that my Client had chosen over a poly-wadding layer. Time now for accurate cutting and pattern matching...
This time, antique stud nails had been selected as the finish look. Finishes include braid, close stud nails, piping or double cord piping; (French look) to name but a few...
...the above was just the seat! A box cushion is a different skill but great fun!