How To Upholster: Eight Way Tie with 5 springs

In this series of "how to upholster" we re-visit our most popular video topic to date. With updated clarity and equipment , Master Upholsterer Kevin Kennedy teaches the art of an eight way tie, including the addition of a 5th spring.
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Kevin Kennedy began training with European masters as a young lad of 17. For 42 years, he has been an Upholsterer for countless Boston area designers and leading art restorers, including consulting with and heading the upholstery department at Trefler and Sons, in Newton, MA. Commissioned to upholster Napoleon's chair, and guest writer to the Upholstery Journal. His most successful venture yet, his studio in Arlington, Ma , Upholstery on Broadway, has been open since 2010.
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[@gutless_prince]

The best video on 8 way spring tying ever. Thank you for this. I was finally able to figure out how to tie the springs on a pair of french arm chairs. I'm a complete beginner and this video made me feel like a master (well, with some practice of course :))

[@BroadwayUpholsterySchool]

Thank you so much Erica! Thats what were hoping to do on this channel, make everyone a master of the trade!

[@tmoney9965]

wait a minute... I think I am reupholstering this exact chair!

[@sarahj4cardsandcrafts]

Thanks for the horse hair info below. I'll be upholstering my Great-Grandma's petite rocking chair. It has 8 springs on metal rails and came to me taken apart (springs are still attached to the metal rails, but there's no ties or horse hair left) I did get half a bag of horse hair from my grandma along with the chair....not sure where the other horse hair went!! LOL!! I think she threw it out since it was VERY dirty. Thanks for your videos! They have become sooooo helpful for this amateur upholsterer. :)

[@sewsable]

This is going to be very handy, I'm redoing my grandmother's chair which probably dates from the 1930s. It's been redone at least once before me; they replaced the webbing with wood which I've removed and redone properly. It had 5 springs originally so I'm doing it as closely as I can. Unfortunately you can't get horsehair here in NZ so I'm replacing it with coarse wool and hope!

[@jackierowland2599]

Really clear thank you You explain why which you are doing things which really helps.

[@TheLablover3]

Hi there, great videos! I may sign up….you made reference to you cover ottoman video where you cover more info about placing and tying coil springs… I can’t seem to find it, are you able to send it? I’m trying really hard to find info on spacing, height and what you want to achieve for different seats in spring systems! Sincerely Heather

[@richardmoller9242]

Another great video. with your videos I successfully did the upholstery for a Morris chair I built for my library. You mentioned horsehair filling in this video, do you have any recommendations on where to source this in North America?

[@mohmad2822]

How can I make a spring of this kind?

[@UFOENGINE]

Hello, Mr. Kennedy. I wanted to ask If it's a good idea of reusing the same old springs when reupholstering? For example, I have some old springs from a sofa that I'd like to reupholster, but some of the springs appear to be more compressed while some of them more intact, but they all have the same number of rings which is 8, It's just the ones that are more compressed have a smaller distance between the rings comparing to the rest. Is it bad If stretching some of them a little, like 1" and making them more even with the others?

[@BroadwayUpholsterySchool]

As long as they are not rusted your good to go! For compressed springs simply pull on both ends to get in tip top shape !!

[@UFOENGINE]

Broadway Upholstery School Thank you for the reply. As far as the rust goes, they don’t seem rusted in general, but there are a little spots of rust on some places. Also, I forgot to ask, because I’ll be doing a hard edge spring system. I’m aware that the springs when tied and compressed needs to be maybe like 2” above the rail in order to allow for some up and down movement without breaking the twine. Is that a general guideline or can I go a little lower like 1” above the rail for example? Thanks again for the advice, and my best regards

[@elizabethanderson476]

Hi, Although I'm sure it's enjoyable to listen to the radio while you work, I am having trouble hearing your voice with the music in the background, and the compressor. If you could turn the music off or lower the volume, it would be a great help. I do love your videos! Thank you,