Helpful Hints
- Should we upholster this piece of furniture? Is it worth it? What are the advantages?
As a rule of thumb: Usually the first step in considering what to do, most good quality furniture is unusually heavy by today's standards. After the 1950s, most furniture manufacturers began mass-producing furniture using lesser-quality materials, utilizing what were considered innovative spring applications. The result was what the industry considers "disposable furniture," which helps to perpetuate a continuous market. So, depending on the era in which your piece was produced, the quality of the wood and the springs are the first factors to consider. If it is real wood, has coil springs, and is heavy, then generally you have a quality piece of furniture.
- "They don't make them like they used to!"
You have to be around for a while to appreciate this truism. Yet you'd be surprised how many people discard priceless pieces of furniture for nothing, or pennies on the dollar. For example, old wingbacks now sell for between $800 to $1200. Remember "real wood" is becoming scarce and very expensive, and most new frames are not made with real hardwoods.
- When choosing fabric, always consider using upholstery grade fabric with a good backing. This type of material will affect the length of wear of your fabric, its durability. Use the toothpick test: Poke it with a toothpick. If it shows holes, runs, or breaks threads, then generally it isn't a good enough weave for a quality application.
- If the fabric stretches too much in either direction, it is not suitable for furniture.
- Highly polished fabrics such as (silk, chintz, polished cottons, and some polyester blends) are not recommended.
- Using a pattern? Verify the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical repeat for yardage estimating. Generally, patterns take 20 to 25% more fabric to produce a pattern match.
- Ask your fabric supplier what the cleaning code is at the time of purchase. Is it cleaned with a water-based soap or does it require a dry cleaning solvent?
- When purchasing fabric, watch for flaws as they unbolt or unroll the fabric to measure it. A flaw will require that they give you additional fabric, especially if it is a print.
- Scheduling: "90% of wisdom, is being wise, on time!" "If it wasn't for the last second, nothing would get done." If you need it by a Holiday, so do 100 other people. Plan ahead, good upholsterers (and there are few) will be booked well in advance of the top Holidays, so prepare ahead!
