UPHOLSTERING CHAIR SEATS
[Illustration: FIG. 14]
[Illustration: FIG. 15]
A CHAIR SEAT.—The typical upholstered seat is undoubtedly that of
the dining chair. The processes involved are very simple. A shallow
rabbet should be run along the inside edges of the seat frame, say
about ⅛ inch deep and ¾ inch wide. This will permit the gimp to run
flush with the top of the seat frame when all work is completed.
First decide on the number of lengths of webbing that will be
required for the given area. Then, using the best of webbing, take
one end and tack with 10-oz. tacks. If hard wood is used in the
structure and it tends to split, use smaller tacks, say 8-oz. or
6-oz. Stretch the strand of webbing with the webbing stretcher, and
tack as illustrated in Fig. 23.
When four tacks have been driven in cut the webbing off 1 inch beyond
the row of tacks; fold over, and tack down with three tacks placed
between the four previous ones. Folding the ends over rather than
under is better practice, for the fold protects the webbing at the
points of greatest strain. Use as many tacks as the wood will permit,
for many tacks distribute the strain over all threads of the webbing.
After the lengths of webbing have been attached from front to back
weave lengths thru these from side to side as shown in Fig. 14, and
secure in the same manner. The illustration shows the underside of
the seat.
[Illustration: FIG. 16]
Next tack burlap over the webbing with 4-oz. tacks. Cut the burlap
slightly larger than the opening, including the rabbet, and fold the
edges over in tacking. Stretch the burlap slightly to prevent sagging
in the opening, but not so tight that the webbing will not support
practically all the weight.
[Illustration: FIG. 17]
[Illustration: FIG. 18]
Now place the stuffing, tow, picking it and working it into shape.
Over this secure muslin and then lay a sheet or two of blue-sheet
wadding over all. Place the leather substitute, and the gimp and
nails. The gimp is nailed against the rabbet edge, Fig. 15. These
processes have been described and need no repetition here. The
finished seat frame is shown on a dining chair in Fig. 16. The back
of the chair is also upholstered, practically in a manner identical
to the seat. On the rear of this back a piece of leather substitute
of same color and finish as the front is tacked and the edges covered
with gimp. It is a good practice to tack a piece of cambric under the
seat frame for sanitary reasons indicated in a previous chapter.
A SET-IN SEAT.—This form of seat is very convenient for any chair or
stool where a set-in seat is desired. Cleats on which the seat rests
may be screwed or nailed to the rails, or the rails may be rabbetted
to receive them. Corner blocks may also be utilized for the purpose.
In addition the seat may be fastened to these rests with screws. This
usually prevents the chair from squeaking, due to a loose seat.
In constructing the wood frame for this kind of seat allow at least
3/16 inch for the thickness of materials. More allowance should be
made for thick material and genuine leather.
[Illustration: FIG. 19]
Attach webbing and burlap in the usual manner; then form the hard
edge as described previously. The hard edge is shown in Fig. 17
together with tow, wadding, and muslin, and Fig. 18 shows the seat
ready for the covering after the trimming of the raw edges. The
finished seat placed in a rocker is illustrated in Fig. 19.