Upholstery... An Expensive Hobby

Upholstery IS an expensive Hobby...

     Until Upholstery Class.. I had no issue pulling tacks and staples with my version of a tack hammer (U know which one ..the Blue Kobalt one from Lowes "W" my instructor calls it a "bob the builder") and a screw driver. Did it suck Ummm Yessss Sirree it did. Did I get cut, curse, and throw said screw driver.. Yup.. Sure did. But ignorance is Bliss you guy's, when you don't know any better you just make due and press on...Until the day you use your instructors tools and at that moment you can justify the expense.

     Can you find "some" upholstery supplies locally whether it be Walmart (which i never go to), Joann Fabrics or Hobby Lobby, Yes you can. But when you get down to the brass tacks a majority of the time for the price point your getting totally ripped off. 

     There ARE a few exceptions and something to keep in mind is this, will you be trying your hand at more than 1 project or are you a 1 Time Sally. If you are really interested in improving and expanding your skills or taking it a step further to use upholstery as a way to supplement your income..it may worth it financially to buy some supplies in bulk and to also invest in some good tools. Think of it like this if you buy crap and then no longer want to Upholster what are you going to do with your crap probably nothing buy quality tools and if you fall out of love with Upholstery as a hobby there is always a newbie looking to buy your tools off you.

TACK N STAPLE REMOVER.. @ Joann's I actually like their 3.99 tack puller for a cheap option to an Osborne or Berry, the only thing i dont like about it is that the its not fixed in placed and does spin around the handle but for 3.99 plus 50% off i will not complain. I did also end up springing for a Berry and I like it very much.    

JUTE WEBBING>> Dont Sleep on how much of this you will go thru. Though Joann's n Walmart Carry it..my preferred source is my local Hobby Lobby. The reason being is Joann never has much in stock N they take Forever and a Day to restock..@ Hobby Lobby I buy it in bulk throwing in a 40% off coupon, also they refill their stock wayyy quicker than Joann's. Now if only I could get me someone in the UK so send me some of that Black n White Herringbone Webbing Mama would be a super happy camper...Anyone have any friends overseas?????

GIMP and WELT CORD/PIPING : Again this is where Im gonna have to say to use an outlet as Joann's and or Hobby Lobby is going to save you some dough. In a future post I am going to show you how I saved even more $ paying just $1 for 16 yards of Welt Cord..Uh Huh.. Yup... Thats Right CupCakes $1!!!!

Do Not waste your $ on the Dritz Webbing Stretcher that you will find in JoAnns. Get the Goose Neck One from an Online Supplier. You will thank me.

     Here is the one Mamma Jamma that hurt the purse strings the most.

Stapler of Choice..There is one classmate of mine who is wanted to be old school and hand tack her chair until she saw the chair had been re-upholstered so many times there was hardly any wood left to tack into with out compromising the chair and she opted to go with a hand stapler to save on expenses..More Power To You Mama! By the time she is done she will have the Bi-Ceps of Mr Universe. Electric Staple Gun..nuff said wont even go there. .that leaves Phenumatic and that is the route 99% of us went. If you are OCD like me you will scour the web reading reviews all all types of Air Staplers and may even toy with the Idea of getting a cheapo from Harbor Freight for 18.99 So what it got 2 stars right??? After hours n hours of research ..seriously I was down to the Porter Cable from Home Depot.."B" in my class has it n luvs it and it was $89 and the Fasco /Rainco. I went back in forth and settled on the Fasco and ordered it over the phone from Greg @ FloydTool.com , http://www.floydtool.com/f1b7c16.htm they were FANTASTIC.. the shipping was not bad at all and it got my baby in 2days. I do not regret my purchase 1 bit thus far.

     

Air Compressor is necessary with an Air Stapler and again after researching and reading too many reviews and having my heart set on 2 different ones that had great reviews but when I went to purchase were out of stock called  Home Dump Online Customer Service they kindly let me know they were discontinued (FYI Howz about you put that on your web site Home Dump instead of "out of stock and make me stalk your website waiting for it to be "instock") I went with a Cheapie 2 Gallon from Tractor Supply for $49 and as quickly as it came home is as quickly it went back to the store...Holy Mary what a piece of crap. I ended up going with the Porter Cable 6 Gallon Pancake, the price was right, it was marked down,  it already has fittings for 2 attachments at 1 time, came with a good length hose, its oil free so less maintenance, it also came with a brad gun PRO BONO and so far I love it. Its up to 150 PSI so I can use my Paint Sprayer as well. I will use this compressor for more than just upholstery that I already know..the fact that its 6 gallons means it doesn't need to blow my ear drums out every 5 mins bc it needs to refill like a 2 gallon does. It also fills very quickly...Ohhhh one thing... DO NOT LEAVE THE AIR MARINATING IN THE TANK WHEN  U R DONE ..take the 5 mins it takes to completely drain the tank or ur gonna be a cry baby when your tank starts to develop rust inside.

 Went off on a bit of a tangent...lol totally lost where this post was suppose to be going, thats ok. 

Any how, as I was sitting here thinking what if anything else i wanted to include in this particular post, I was just thinking back to some of the people in my class when "W" our instructor gave them their totals on their needed supplies just for their projects..It was priceless, poor things they really didnt see it coming. Is what I went over in this post everything you need..nooo way jose, I am going to throw together a post soon of my most used tools, cheap substitutes that work just as well if not better and things I have purchased and havent had a need to use yet. Apparently If you want to do it right >>>Upholstery Aint Cheap Kids...

As Always 

A~

Upholstery Class A Go Go

  West Point Mama and I stayed in contact after our Craigslist transaction. One Fine Day I received an email link from West...it's for a 10 week upholstery class, once a week 3 hours per nite..not including materials $95!!!!..SAY WHAT!! I am in it to win it..BUTTTTT it was over a month away and if enough people don't sign up its a no go..Sighhhh.

     Fast forward 4+ weeks... class is Go..Yeahhh Buddie! I am excited, a little nervous, the project for the class is anything of your choosing.. Sadly the project I had lined up for the class I was NOT and am NOT in luv with. I am a hostage to my mode of transport, and had to pick a project that would fit in my vehicle, I had to be practical..what's gonna fit in my Camry yet get the most out of the class. Scouted n found a pair of side arm chairs fr the 70's speckled wood finish and all, caned backs that were broke beyond repair..this will have to do.

     The Picture Above is the Only one I can find from the BEFORE'S.. I am horrible about remembering to take pics as you can see I am in my workspace and 99% has been torn down, you can see the remnants of the caning on the back and if you look at the left arm you can see the left over upholstery. Yup somethin lovely huh zig zag springs Greatttt and oh the best part was the "foam" that was under the fabric on the arms and the seat which were so disintegrated it was like Parmesan cheese flying everywhere.
    I dislike these chairs,I'm just not "feelin" them. This is what I call "ITIS" (EYETIS) has hit me. Me no Luv u Brown Chairs! Not to mention the wood is considered "soft wood" so it dents and dings like a Mugg. Getting it in and out of my back seat requires a tricky positioning, never the less its taking a beating..then I had decided to paint the pair instead or re-staining. Painting had to be done b4 the upholstery yet my paint job is getting jacked up..Can't win for loosing.

     1st Class...there was suppose to be 15 of us 2 were No Shows. Our instructor "W" is self taught, has been upholstering since the 1970's and apparently has been offering these classes since the mid 80's..Where have i been?Why am I just finding out about him?? 1st class flew by didnt feel like 3 hours..We discussed pretty much what you would expect 1st day..the basic philosophy of upholstery, box store version of upholstery. General furniture structure, tools, terms and industry verbage used,tear down ect...

     2nd Class..Everyone Brought in their "projects" as I watched each piece marched into the shop, I my heart sunk..beautiful classic pieces, the types of chairs that raise the hair on my arm and there were my Dud's. aka "The Dookie  Chairs". West's Chair is exactly what I thought it would be great soft lines, wood casters, very feminine, and then of course the back story of how she and her hubby found it at a Flea Market in Paris and of course when she was stripped of her cloth the most fantasic Parisian Furniture Label that would fit in just perfect on Graphics Fairy. Yeah I had Chair Envy. Not only that but everyone for the exception of one family will have to  re-web and re-spring and do things that I wont get to with my dookie Chairs..but that is ok bc I will get my education..I will place myself next to anyone doing something that I want to learn. No shame in my Game..

As Always....
A~

Upholstery ...U are Making a Comeback Baby..

   Upholstery..
     I have attempted my stab at it on and off since my early 20's..Long before there was Google and Blogs and YouTube to guide me through a brain fart. Was I good at it..Survey says ummm NO. The pieces were presentable from a distance at best.. had I taken pictures of said travesty I would have noooo problem sharing them with you but it was b4 the dawn of the digital age.
     Over the last year my interest had been renewed along with a slight improvement in my workmanship. (I will insert some pics at somepoint). I hit the Blogs. I found some great before and after's..it helped with inspiration but very few bloggers are actually breaking down their technique for anything harder than a dining chair redo.. I know what I need...I NEEDED A REAL TEACHER...Easier said than done.
      I am queen of researching..I am kinda known for it on an OCD LEVEL ..Its ok again embrace it..I commit to NOTHING without satisfactorily researching said topic to The HILT, this was no exception. I scoured the web..I called and visited a local upholstery shop close to where I work.. Sadly the was NOTHING to be found except going to NYC.. Paying close to $400 For a one day class and materials and travel for a one time 4hour class...Uhhhh I think NOT! Sigh.....
      Fast forward several months.I proceed with Furniture Re-Fab's but put all projects concerning upholstery to the backburner..actually I got soo disgusted that I started selling off pieces that I had aquired with the intent of re-upholestring.
      Most craiglist sales I have done have been awkwardly shady, i meet the buyer, they barely inspect the goods, slip me the dough and poof they are gone. They are not interested in the history of the piece, where i found it, the life it had before i rescued it..NADA..This particular sale was for a vintage chair n foot bench i began to strip but once it came to the broken caning i knew i was not in a position to replace it myself nor did i luv the chair that much to invest in paying someone to re-cane so up for sale it went..That is the day I met West Point Mama and with ina few weeks my fire for Upholstery was re-ignited.

As Always...
A~

Welcome...

    Welcome to my own little notch in cyberspace. A little about me.. I am a 30 something gal from the beautiful Mid Hudson Valley in NY. Centrally located to just about anything I need and a quick metro north ride to NYC. Until Today I have always been a Blog and YouTube "spectator ". My interests are as wide and not related to each other as is everything in my life. (I think I may have had inherited a Lil ADD on my mothers side.) I would say I am a Type A personality longing to life of a Type B. I am a mother but bc I am a neurotic about creepers on the net  I am not sure if or what i will post about the youngin'. I have a tendency  to abbreviate ALOT. I will try my best to ref. My abbreviations IE: bc=because.
     When I tried to imagine what I intend to accomplish with this blog..I have no  clue. It's gonna be a hit or a miss..trial and error and unless it becomes more defined as time goes on , right now..NO general theme. When I  stumble upon a new blog its usually bc I have been led astray, It happens a Lil something like this.....I go online looking for something, end up on Better After, or Pinterest next thing I know I spent the next Hour reading backwards all the older posts from a new found blog. ADD strikes again...
    AnyWho..if I aquire some followers along the way I look forward to making some new friends that bring a Lil of their flavor into my hum drum world..


**Ohhh and Here is My Disclaimer(p.s  if you claim to not have seen this, shame one you, should always start a blog from day one)** ANY AND ALL THOUGHTS WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS THAT ARE PLOPPED ON THIS BLOG ARE MINE, THEY ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THAT OF A PROFESSIONAL IN ANY CAPACITY, ANY  RECOMMENDATIONS OR POSTS ABOUT PRODUCTS OR WEBSITES ARE PURELY INFORMATIONAL AND BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES I AM NOT BEING PAID OR ENDORSED BY ANYONE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.


As Always ...
A~