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Stephen Seven
2 Posts |
 Posted - 27 May 2007 : 21:38:14
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 http://photobucket.com target _blank gt lt img src http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/bellyboat_2007/DSCF1085.jpg border 0 alt Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket gt lt /a gt " border="0">Hey, I am new to the forum and in need of some advice,I have purchased a Louie xvi style settee frame and a little in the dark about a couple of things 1,-the back rest only has 18mm to tack into,would this take the webbing as the last person never used webbing on the back?also do I put some top fabric on before the webbing(so that from the back you carnt see the webbing)or is it best just left.2,-how many springs would I need and also what sort of layout is used(as it was a frame,I never got to see the layout or how many was in there)the base is 55"x22"x2.5"-deep,I have done some upholstery on a city and guilds but to be honnest not alot,I am desperate,to go it alone and learn myself,I am gratefull for any info, maybe a good book(pictures would be best)
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Edited by - Stephen Seven on 27 May 2007 21:58:46 |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 07:45:26
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Hi Stephen
I'll try and answer as best I can.
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 08:17:04
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Oh dear - hit the wrong button!
1. No you don't need webbing on the back. And yes you do want to put a show fabric on before you start building up the back. Usually this would be a simple plain cotton or, very French, a check. I'll see if I can find a photo to post for you of this.
This show fabric should be fixed as close to the edge as you dare - see below about staples. From then on the layers are fixed further in each time.
After the show fabric you build up as follows: a layer of polyester wadding, tight weave hessian (or scrim, I always get them mixed up), stuffing, hessian which you will stitch, light second stuffing, either poly wadding or cotton wadding, top fabric.
Stitching: See if you can get a book on French upholstery as the stitching here is quite particular. You are obviously going to build up a very hard edge all around the sides and top of the back but it will, I think, taper towards the bottom edge where there will be no stitching. You will need a curved needle, not to big, and will probably do two rows of top stitching before you do the edge roll. There will remain very little stuffing in the main body of the back, but you will have the second stuffing and the wadding there and you will create the shape by pulling the top fabric very tight. You should do this by squaring it up and fixing the centre points and then do the top and bottom first...really tight. Then you can do the sides.
I am a self-confessed anti staple gun person (!) however, you will probably find that the wood is too fragile to take tacks so this is where I make an exception. However, in order to get the tightness you will need to half-tack in place before you finally staple. Does that make sense?
One last thing with the back...don't forget that the back fabric is going to be seen and so when you do any stitching it must obviously not go through. Also, upholstery skewers are very thick and so again when you use them make sure they do not go through to the back.
If you follow the competition entry links you will see some chairs similar in style to your sofa. I don't know that the pics will help you much but they're there if you want to look.
2. Springs - this is more complicated. The French suffer for their beauty and their seats are MUCH firmer than anything you find in England! They achieve this by using as many springs as they can fit in, tying them down in the most unbelievable manner, and then stuffing with something resembling hay - not available in England. They also compress their springs much more.
Layout - lines and rows basically. The back row will have less because of the curve and you shouldn't have your springs any closer than 2cms to the blocks on the corners. Obviously your springs shouldn't touch each other once they are tied down. The end result of the springing should be a unit that you can sit on with very little movement (in the springs that is!).
After springing you want to build up an edge which will finally be about 1cm higher than the blocks. Again, the French upholstery would be rock hard and this is achieved by the stitching techniques which allow you to continue to pull tight several times after all the stitching has been completed - you will need a very strong linen thread if you decide to do this.
The book I use is by Elizabeth Auzepy and I know that Amazon.fr stock it. It is in French but the diagrams are good and it might help. However, as with all books, it answers every single question you can imagine - except the one you are asking at that moment! I'd be pleased to help more if you need it.
Good luck, Jean |
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Stephen Seven
2 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 17:35:07
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| Thanks Jean,thats a great help,I will keep you all postered on how I get on,I have only done a drop in seat and a box, so this is big for me!one thing I am is determined,once again thanx. |
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Stephen Seven
2 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 10:17:55
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| P.M Jean,(sorry it means "personal message",its what me and me mates use on the pike and predator forum.....dont ask!) |
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Lorre
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 14:16:13
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Brilliant, Jean! I knew you would know what to do. And as we Americans say, "You go, girl!" By the way, I have a friend coming from France for a visit this July, so I have asked her to bring me a copy of Elizabeth Auzepy's book. Who cares, if it's in French! There really is much to be said about "a picture is worth a thousand words!" Thanks again for recommending it.
And Stephen . . . Good luck! And remember to have fun! |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 18:25:16
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Let me know if you need help with the french Lorre!
X Jean |
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Stephen Seven
2 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 23:26:59
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| Cheers Lorre, will do mate,and thanks to Jean for setting me right,thats me done in,av bin pulling tacks,staples and all sorts, re-enforcing and filling for three days and av just finnished, tomorrow I get stuck in,hopefully my 2 year old son wont run off with my tools and attack the dog. |
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Veronica
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2007 : 15:48:38
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Hi Jean.
I have just come back from a month in France, so out of touch . I am glad to see the forum is still going & you are still giving useful advice.I have nearly completed my eight dining chairs which look fab !I managed to reuse all the springs & I have washed & reused the old horsehair . I gave it a final rinse in my conditioner & its lovely & soft now .
There is an auction near here next week so hopefully will find a new project [husband groaning in background ].
We are then off to France for another month so I shall try & purchase that book you recommended . Always good to have a new one .
Regards to all who use this forum & good luck with all your work Stephen .
Veronica |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 09:39:02
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Veronica - I hope you can post some pics of your dining room chairs. Well done getting on with them so fast!
Jean |
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Lorre
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2007 : 13:29:40
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Hey, Veronica . . . Thanks to Jean and her expert advice, the forum continues to hold on. Definitely post some phots when your chairs are done -- or should I say, email the photos and I will try to wrap my head around how to post them. David sent me instructions when I offered to pay for the forum a while back. Hopefully, I will be able to figure it out.
Have a love time it France. It is by far, my most favourite place in the world. My friend Lynne is visiting next month and bringing a copy of Jean's brilliant book! Yipppeeee!! |
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claire
United Kingdom
39 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2007 : 10:53:01
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| hi. Jean i wonder could you let me have the ISBN number for Elizabeth Auzepy's book. thanks. |
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Lorre
USA
107 Posts |
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claire
United Kingdom
39 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2007 : 14:58:38
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thankyou i shall click on the link straight away.
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2007 : 17:50:40
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| I'm so sorry - I didn't even see the question. It's over in the workshop so if the link doesn't work let me know and I'll try harder. |
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first attempt!
