It’s been too long since we have shared our pearls of upholstery wisdom. I, myself, am still learning new things everyday. There are many times that I find myself saying, “There has got to be an easier way of doing this.” Upholstering can sometimes be challenging, so knowing little tips and tricks can make all the difference. I have a few up my sleeve this week that I will share with you.
This may seem trivial, but sharpening your chalk can make quite a difference. A sharpened chalk will allow your cuts to be more precise. The difference between a blunt chalk and sharpened chalk is about a quarter of an inch, which may seem minor, but a quarter inch here and there will add up quickly. All you need is a pair of scissors. Simply cut away the chalk on opposite sides until you get a sharp edge. Easy as pie!
Release cuts can be very scary when you’re learning upholstery. A release cut allows you to pull the fabric past the posts on a piece of furniture. There are many variables that determine the proper release cut to make, so here’s a simple trick to make your life easier. Use a piece of scrap fabric, pretend it’s your “real” fabric, and make a practice cut. This will give you some reassurance that you will make an accurate cut.
It really isn’t much fun to upholster something that is constantly moving. I don’t appreciate the extra challenge. If you ever find yourself wrestling a rocking chair, I have the simple solution. All it takes is something (ex: scrap wood, a ruler, a book, etc.) to be wedged under the front and back of both sides of the rocker. Genius!
Oh, I just love tricks! I hope you’ve learned something that will make your upholstery ventures a little smoother. Stay tuned for more pearls.