Posts Tagged ‘furniture’
New Spruce Retail
In the midst of summer projects, we’ve managed to sprinkle in some new retail projects. Take a look at our freshest finds and some extra-special pieces for the taking. 1. Handmade sari blankets from India. $75 ea. 2. Back to the Beach Chair. Chunky texture in cream, blue, and green; mid-century frame; $1095. 3. Neon…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Staple Lengths
Upholstery staples come in several different lengths. The most commonly used lengths are 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″. I like to keep a box of each at my station at all times so I can quickly swap out sizes when working on different parts of a project. Let me elaborate on how I use each of these staples…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Reinforcing Panel Nails
If you are unfamiliar with upholstered panels, let me give you a short explanation of how they work. Panels are often used to cover the front of arms or sides of backs on furniture pieces such as wingback chairs and camelback sofas. A panel nail is first punched through the bare panel before it’s covered in Dacron…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Create Your Own Welt Cord Stick
Sometimes we work on projects that require miles of welt cord. Making a welt cord stick can help you quickly draw your welt cord on fabric. Let me show you how! We use Masonite to make our welt cord sticks because it is durable, light, and doesn’t splinter. You can easily find Masonite at your…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Hanging Velvet
Tip time! At Spruce, we often cut out many or all of the fabric pieces for a project before we start upholstering, which helps us be efficient with our time. When working with fabrics that crease or scar when folded, such as velvet and leather, it’s handy to set up a spot where you can…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: How to Position Pleats
This week, I had a couple of projects which required some pleating here and there, so I thought this would be the perfect time to share some suggestions about making pleats. The number one goal when making a pleat is not to create a “crumb catcher.” There are two simple ways to prevent this upholstery…
Read MoreDesigner Spotlight Series: Katie Kime
At Spruce, we’re fortunate to work with a number of talented interior designers who create beautiful spaces. We want to celebrate our favorite Austin designers by re-launching our Designer Spotlight column, a series that highlights some of their work and creations.Today we turn the spotlight on Katie Kime, a prolific and well-traveled lady who came to Austin via…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Making a Felt Tip Hammer
Sometimes you’ll find that your DIY upholstery project may include decorative nail head trim. Traditionally, a nylon-tipped tack hammer is the best tool for this job because of its lightweight and non-abrasive tip. If you find yourself in a pinch or you’re not ready to invest in this specialty tool, use this easy one-step tip. To…
Read MoreSpruce Upholstery Tip: Replicating a Sewn Upholstery Pattern
I find many people are discouraged from taking on certain upholstery projects because of their lack of sewing abilities. When I started at Spruce, I had very little sewing experience. You may be surprised at how simple upholstery sewing usually is. I have a neat little tip for you to keep in your back pocket…
Read MoreTiny Chair Transformation
When I became an upholsterer, my family thought that they had hit the jackpot. But they soon realized their vision of having their own personal upholsterer was just a pipe dream. After three years at Spruce, I have finally completed an upholstery project for a loved one. I found this adorable vintage rocker at Vintage Tobacco…
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