Great Book of Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture, Revised & Expanded Second Edition by Lang Robert W.;

Author:Lang, Robert W.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

Original examples in maple have a dark finish, and are rarer than oak.

UPHOLSTERY

In the drawings in this book, upholstered seats are shown without much detail. While this could be attributed to laziness on my part, there are good reasons for this fuzziness. The original pieces of furniture used several different types of cushions—some of them appear to be changes in manufacturing methods over time, while others likely were optional ways of ordering the furniture. Also, the seat cushions are the least durable part of old chairs and settles, so original examples are often seen either with the cushions missing entirely, or with some sort of replacement cushion or support. If you are making chairs or settles, you will need to make your own decision based on your own desire for comfort, and your skills and budget.

Upholstering is a distinct trade from woodworking, and I will confess that I am far from an expert. Slip seats on dining chairs are relatively simple to produce, and are not very demanding. Large cushions on settles and Morris chairs, with their necessary supporting structure, are more involved, and I think the best advice for the do-it-yourselfer is to either take a class on techniques, or hire someone competent to perform this work. I will review the basic methods and materials, and leave a more detailed description of how to do it to those more experienced than me. Van Dyke’s Restorers (800-558-1234, www.vandykes.com) is a good source both for supplies, and for reference material. Local community colleges and vocational schools often offer classes in upholstery, and this would be a good way to learn the fine points, and to get access to needed tools and machinery capable of sewing leather and other upholstery fabrics.

The simplest cushions are found in dining chairs. Usually these were a slip seat—leather wrapped around a padded wooden frame, attached to the frame of the chair itself by screws from below, usually through corner blocks. Occasionally, the frame and padding was attached to the chair before the fabric, and the leather was fastened to the outside of the chair frame with decorative tacks. Morris chairs, large easy chairs, and settles had a greater variety of cushions, and exhibit more changes over time with new technologies and production methods.

Slip seats are simple to make. A hardwood frame, of pieces ¾" by 1¾" to 2", is made to fit inside the frame of the chair itself, with an allowance around the edges for the fabric. A piece of plywood could be used, but the open area in the inside of the hardwood frame will allow air to circulate through the padding and fabric. It also looks nicer if anyone ever peeks under your chair.

If you use an open frame, place webbing across the opening to keep the padding from falling through, and to provide support in the middle of the seat. Padding comes next, and depending on the choice of materials, it can be either glued or tacked in place. It is easiest to wrap the fabric around the seat if it is placed good side down on a clean bench or table.

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