How to Upholster: 19th Century Biedermeier Chair (part 1)

[@steven6068]

Hi Kevin, It is great how you give all the background of the chair and why you restore it that way. Can you tell me if the webbing was jute or synthetic and the same for the burlap and other products that you use? Thanks for inviting us to watch how and why you make these choices.

[@punstress]

Wow, that horsehair fabric looks amazing! I have a Biedermeier breakfast table and two chairs. The previous owner unintentionally ruined the amazing veneer top with a leaky vase, and the chairs need some love. The wood on the chairs is mostly okay, some chips, but the upholstery has seen better days. I love antiques but this is the first I've ever owned and I have no idea how much it would cost to have them repaired.

[@Stevieboy7]

Fantastic work. You can really tell how much you love what you're doing when you speak so passionately about your craft. Absolutely inspired.

[@felicitythomson3397]

HandandSew I agree👍

[@patriciabaker332]

Always wondered how that slab of upholstery was applied. Thanks. Wondering how artisans of yesteryear applied it....

[@anthonytaylor9232]

I served my time as an Apprentice Upholsterer back in the late 50's, before the advent of pneumatic staplers. I worked with a mouthful of tacks and a magnetic hammer ! The basic prep work, would be similar to the point where your burlap (Hessian here in the UK) was fixed to the chair frame. Thereafter, running loops of 'stitching twine' would be loose stitched to the hessian, around the perimeter of the chair frame about 1.5 to 2" in, from the edge of the frame. Horse hair would then be teased into place and set beneath the running loops, they help to keep the hair in place. With experience and by 'feel' the hair will be worked until a consistancy of evenness is achieved. Next another piece of measured, oversized hessian will be placed over the hair and fixed into place with temporary tacks ( tacks less than half way driven home). At this point the hair may need to be worked with a Regulator, similar to a 9" needle, flattened at one end, to fit safely in the hand. When everything, eventuallly seems good to go, the hand stitching begins - With a Mattress needle, (pointed at both ends) the first row of stitching , a 'Blind stitch' is run in around the chair and close to the chair frame. The purpose of the blind stitch is to aid in the placing of the hair and aid in the forming of a Firm edge as the stitching progresses. Eventually, when the final row, the 'Roll edge' is completed, there will be left a shallow basin, sufficient for the top layer of hair (as seen in this video) to be placed. A calico layer as per the Vid, fixed to finish and neaten off the work, and topped off with a layer of wadding, used here to help prevent the ends of the hair protruding through the final covering fabric. Personally, I could 'Go With' this Upholsterer up until he used (what we call 'Back Tack Strip' ) across the front edge of the chair. Had that been me, I would have cut some hessian strips 4 -5" wide, eased the hair up gently from the roll edge and buttonhole stitched the strips over the roll edge, then brought the hair back down into place, over the hessian edge. That done the newly installed hessian can successfully be fixed to the chair frame in a more tidy and sympathetic manner. The only drawback with this, being that the original stitching will be concealed, but I don't see that as a big issue, The fabric will conceal allof that anyway. I know this is a 'late' post, but hope you are still around to receive my response. Stay Safe, Stay Strong. Peace.

[@hazelsimin455]

Thanks for this video.....great information. Im reupholstering my grandmother's rocking chair. The webbing and burlap has ripped. Horsehair fabric is new to me. Your webbing application is just what i need to know. Would love see part 2....want to see how you finished this chair and how it looks. help!!

[@nihadak6131]

Hazel Simin,

[@hayleyyaklin9490]

This was wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

[@carolyncoffin3331]

you guys are the best! miss you!

[@rlwilson29325]

Just wanted to drop a note and tell you your video's are great! I am a wood worker who is interested in learning how to do upholstery for recreations of period works and have learned so much. I would suggest you invest in a lapel mic so the audio of your videos is better. I think you have great wisdom to show and your presentation is very good.. A little work on the production quality and you could have a very well followed channel! I think you could also build enough of a following to teach classes. Thank you for taking the time to make these!

[@hkkhgffh3613]

Baby finger! Learned something new. Keep up and downholstering!

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

You said the people wanted to cut down on the staples, 9 is 4 (2 for hold, 3 on the flap=5 staples) more than I have used, yet you're cutting down? How many would you normally use??

[@UpholsteryonBroadway]

The traditional way is making the " Cake" separate and then applying it with 6 oz. Tacks thru the burlap

[@joevans6014]

Traditional upholstery can last for 50yrs + but replacing the 'old cake' as you call it makes the chair uncomfortable to sit on and will not last as long as you say it will on part 2 of the video. Please explain if I'm incorrect. Thank you

[@sooth15]

Original upholstery materials (if kept in good shape) can last 200 years. I regularly work on early 1900s chairs that still have their original straw and cotton in great shape.

[@sooth15]

I wonder where you buy your burlap. The kind we have from our supplier is pretty crappy in comparison.

[@helenmota3487]

lindo amei