Upholster This, Finale!

So I left off with springs tied down on the top frame of the ottoman, and a " I don't want to return to this" feeling.

Where we left off...

But I went back, and it was fun! The 2nd week is the hardest. The instructor said he's had people walk out of class in the 2nd week. Believable.

We covered the springs with burlap. The burlap is to create a barrier between the fabric and the foam. Whenever you sit on the fabric it would rub on the foam and just wear it away, no good.

Burlap cover. The fox edge is applied on all four sides on top of those staples, covering the raw edge.

We also added some cylindrical burlap covered batting on the edges of the burlap (not pictured). It's called fox edge, I think. That's to protect your legs from touching the edge of the ottoman frame. That would be very uncomfortable. On top of the burlap we glue down cotton batting then 4 inch foam.

3rd week we started working with the fabric. Just so you know upholstery fabric is expensive, minumum $10-$15 / yd. I stopped by my local fabric store in Brooklyn and picked something up for $2 /yd. That's what I'm talking about. It was recommended not to get fabric with stripes or repeating patterns. But those are the best, aren't they? I ended up with a safe, classic gold fabric with same color dots.

Top view, after fabric is stretched over foam

Next, we stretch the fabric over the foam. But be careful, you don't want to warp the fabric by stretching the fabric too far on one side. After carefully stapling down fabric, the instructor walks by and says that it's even but not tight enough. You can never win with him. We are obviously not perfect, so our ottomans won't be either. Everyone decided that our ottomans were good enough to move on. He smiled.

A fold on each corner


Staple on some piping.
Mitered edge of piping

Then staple fabric upside down on sides beneath the piping. Staple a tacking strip (1/2" piece of cardboard), under the fabric right under piping to create that seamless look. Pull down fabric and staple down underneath bottom. Hand sew that one open side. Staple a black fabric (don't know what) under ottoman. Have instructor nail in some stops under ottoman, and you're done.

Ooh, it's done!


Oh, and then carry it home. Pretty light.

Here are beautiful samples from class.



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