Traditional upholstery refers to the building of a seat sprung or unsprung using layers, webbing, springs, hessian, black fibre, linen scrim, horse hair, cotton felt, calico and top fabric!

Each stuffing layer is secured with ties and then the final horse hair layer is given strength and shape with a series of stitches.  It is a time consuming process but one that if done properly will stand the test of time.

Whilst I like nothing more than looking round fabric shops I know it is not everyone's favourite pastime! I am more than happy to source fabric for clients but for those of you that enjoy getting lost amongst rolls of fabric and haberdashery here are some of my favourite haunts......

 Textile Express, (Oswestry) www.textileexpressfabrics.co.uk

Simon Boyd, (Shrewsbury, Wrexham) www.simonboyd.com

Terry's Fabric Shop, (Newcastle Under Lyme) www.terrysfabrics.co.uk

Bankrupt Fabric Shop, (Newcastle Under Lyme) www.thebankruptshop.com

This is a list of a few of our local shops..but remember you can always look online and request swatches to be sent out to you.

Happy Shopping!

A chair can easily be updated and revived with new upholstery but before you buy a 2nd hand chair please take a couple of minutes to look at the condition that it is in - a new cover on a broken chair would be a waste of money!!  

QUICK TIP: When looking at dining chairs tilt the chair back on its back legs and press your hand down on the seat, movement between the rails and the back legs indicates loose joints! 
Most loose joints can be fixed but bear in mind the whole chair will have to be stripped to be repaired!

Choosing the right trimming for a chair can be just as important as choosing the fabric, they can be grouped as 

Braids ~ a silk, cotton or another thread woven into a decorative band available in different styles such as scroll, plait or quill.

Gimps ~ a twisted silk or cotton with cord or wire running through it, these tend to be more open in style and are often attached using pins in matching colours.

Piping ~ single or double piping can add a very contemporary finish.

Cords

All trimmings come in a variety of colours allowing a perfect match to be achieved, I will gladly help you choose a trimming to compliment your choice of fabric.

Sometimes it is quite hard to tell what is underneath the existing upholstery, like with this chair what I thought would be a simple re-cover turned into a much bigger job.

Click on pictures below for details: 

Feeling good today, have just finished a piano stool for my children's school am very pleased with the outcome - and hope the children are too!