Hey everybody! I’ve got a new friend and she does what I do, only in Houston, TX. Last year I noticed a company selling ottomans on etsy, just as I was. As all good businesses do, I had to delve deeper to find out more about this so called “l+j Industries”. I emailed them right away and received the nicest, most complimentary and generous response. I love it when that happens. And I love to share upholstery love, so see for yourself what’s cookin’ in Houston.

So, I went about my business, opened my studio, and lo and behold, now I see that l+j is offering upholstery classes. I’ve always said, the more the merrier, so I wrote them again to find out how classes were going.

Lynne (She’s the L of the twin sister team. J is Julia) told me that it’s hard to reach the kind of people who want to “do” instead of “have done” in her area of Houston. I get that. When I first offered and advertised upholstery classes, it was as if I had three eyeballs. People heard the words upholstery classes, and I immediately saw the back of their heads running the other direction.

Now, the story is quite different. People write me daily asking to wedge into my at-capacity classes. It takes time to reach those kindred spirits who want to roll up their sleeves and get down and dirty in chair guts.

My advice to Linda is to hang tough. Eventually, word will get out and those hands-on Houston-ites will ooze out of the woodwork. For crying out loud, you should have seen my first legitimate upholstery class. I had three ladies and we trekked through a back yard pool house in sweltering heat to upholster in a pool house!
We’ve come a long way, baby!

What caught my attention last week was l + j’s Facebook post of these X ottomans. I’ve always obsessed over this design. I tried to make an X sewing table, to no avail. But when I saw how gorgeous these turned out, I had to write her again and ask about them.

Instead of paraphrasing her email to me, I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m just going to post it word for word.
Once I read about her grudge at not being able to take Shop, I knew we could be friends. Here’s the story of the X benches.

“I think my determination to make them came from my long held grudge of not being able to take wood shop as a teenager in high school. So with my collection of woodworking tools that I have accumulated over the years, I set out to make them with only the dimensions based on Jonathan Adler’s. Boy, did my lack of geometry skills rear its ugly head on the first few tries. Next try was with some CAD drawings that a neighbor graciously made for me. Still no luck.
I was just about to give up when coming back from Dallas, my sister and I pulled off the highway and headed into Ferris, a small East Texas town. We stumbled into the one and only antique store and magically there was one tucked under a table! The owner was puzzled at first that we inquired about it but after we flashed the credit card, she was willing to part with it.
Now that I had one, I was able to take it apart and get the angles right. They are still a bit time consuming, but I’m glad my persistence has paid off.”

If you know anybody in, or around Houston, who is the DIY type looking to learn how to upholster their own flea market finds, send them this link.

And remember, if you’re in or around Indianapolis, yours truly is teaching her fingers to the bone right here at ModHomeEc.

Finally, HERE is the new class schedule for October, November and December.
Browse through them and see what suits your fancy.

Bootcamp # ran late yesterday and I’ve got an IndyStar deadline, but right after I’m finished with that, you’ll get to see all the Before and Afters. Off to the hardware store.

I must preface this all with the fact that this was no ordinary workshop. Lunches were catered by my dear friend Anne, who knocked herself out with tasty sustenance for hungry laborers. And then, on top of all that, my hubby, baker extraordinaire, knocked himself out with the most deliciously decadent afternoon desserts.

Bootcamp Menu:

Friday Lunch: Chicken Salad Wraps, Fruit Bowl and Sun Chips
2:00 pm snack: homemade Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Saturday Lunch: Turkey and Bacon Club Sandwiches with avocado, Broccoli Salad and chips
2:00 pm snack: An Homage to Wimbledon- Layered Strawberries and Cream Trifle (the most delicious dessert he’s ever made) strawberries, blueberries, currant jam, pound cake combined into fruity creamy deliciousness

Sunday Brunch: Quiche Lorraine and Veggie Quiche, sweet rolls from Taylor’s local bakery, fruit skewers with caramel sauce
2:00 pm snack: Mr. Mod’s Homemade Cheesecake with topping bar. Hot fudge, hot caramel and raspberry were served up in bowls on the side

Now you know why I’m always in need of a diet. He’s killing me folks!

They came from New Hampshire, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.

#1 Wendy from Cincy’s Modern Slipper Chair

#2 Taraline’s French Springy Sprung Chair

#3 Wendy K’s Dining Chair and L.A. Friend’s Chair Seat

This is the AFTER but it’s just resting on top of Wendy’s other chair frame.

#4 Casey’s Borrowed Boudoir Chair
She corrected that jute webbing right before lunch.

#5 Amy’s Garage Sale Find

# 6 Joyce’s Modern Caneback

After everyone went back to their hotels on Saturday, I started to clean up but then decided this was a shop and if they were ok with the upholstery mess, so was I.

My next Out of Towners’ Bootcamp is July 22, 23 and 24. It’s sold out and I’ve had lots of inquiries about having some more of these. Let me know what you think. It’s intense, but you get a fun little crash course in BEGINNING upholstery.

By the time you get to the inside back, you’re probably feeling more confident about your burgeoning upholstery skills. Don’t get too smug, there’s still plenty of detail work to tackle. But, the chair is starting to come together so you can give yourself a pat on the back, a little bit of confidence goes a long way.

Since the turquoise velvet is plain, it’s a good candidate for tufting. I decided to give the inside back a few diamond tufts. Tufting deserves its own tutorial, this is a Cliff’s Notes version.

FYI-The best way to jump into tufting is to find a piece of foam that’s already laid out, cut and ready and for buttons. If you take old tufted pieces apart, save salvageable foam that is already cut in the diamond pattern, or at least trace the diamond pattern on a piece of paper to save for a later date.
I had this piece of foam on hand from an old banquette project I did years ago.
See how easy it is to become a Hoarder.

The tools and materials you’ll need:

jute webbing
burlap
foam
spray adhesive
cotton batting
dacron
fabric
fabric covered buttons
tufting twine
welt cord
scissors
stapler
staples
button maker or kit
tufting needle
web stretcher
electric knife or hack saw

Padding the inside back:

1. Cut a block of foam larger than the inside back of the chair, place it up against the inside back of the chair.
From the back of the chair, use a marker to trace around the chair frame onto the foam, leaving enough foam at the bottom to tuck through to the back. Add 1/2″ all around the foam and cut the foam using an electric knife or hack saw. Try to keep the cut line as straight as you can.

2. Now, spray the burlap and the foam with Elmer’s spray adhesive and press the foam in place on the inside back of the chair so the foam just rolls around the top front of the inside back. Attach a few staples to hold the foam in place at the back of the top edge of the chair frame.

3. Apply a large piece of cotton batting on top of the foam and poke through the button holes.

4. Cut a piece of dacron batting large enough to cover the front of the chair. Pull it smoothly over the inside back.
Cut directly into the sides of the dacron batting to accommodate the arms and allows the dacron to attach to the back edge of the chair frame.
Using basic smoothing and stapling techniques (attach 4-5 staples at the center top, center bottom, left side, right side, smooth and pull outward towards the corners, make small folds if necessary at the corners and staple in place).
I like to attach the dacron right at the edge of the frame, before it rolls around the back. If you roll it around to the back side, often you get lumps and pulls after attaching the final fabric.

5. Use paper or a piece of scrap fabric to lay out the tufting pattern for the fabric.
NOTE:The diamond pattern cut into the foam is not the same as what you plan on fabric. The fabric diamonds are larger than the foam. As mentioned, a tufting tutorial is forthcoming.

6. Whether you’re diamond tufting or not, the fabric needs to be aligned and attached to the chair frame. Start at the center back, on the back of the chair and attach 4-5 anchor staples to hold the back piece in place. This fabric is already tufted, so the fabric is not going anywhere.

7. Fold the fabric over right next to the arm post and chalk a cut line. The chalked cut line is perpendicular to the fold and the fabric will be cut aiming at the center back of the arm post so that, after it’s cut, it will wrap snugly around the arm with enough fabric above and below the arm to form tiny folds when you pull it back snugly and staple it to the back of the chair frame.

This is where it’s a good idea to do a practice back with a piece of muslin or a scrap piece of fabric. Seeing how the cuts fall before cutting into your precious fabric is a wise and educational exercise.

8. Now that the inside back is attached around the back and both sides, remove the set (or anchor) staples at the bottom rail and realign, adjust and pull the fabric snugly and reattach it by pulling it taut and attaching it at the bottom rail, starting in the center and working out towards the sides. The staples will be hidden under the back fabric, which we’ll attach tomorrow.

9. Starting at the bottom of one side, begin stapling the sewn welt cord around the outside back. This becomes a ‘touch’ thing after awhile, but for now, attach the cord so that the top of the lip of the cord (the stitch line) is approximately 1/16″ or barely inside the corner edge of the back of the chair frame. Staple it all around the sides and back.
TIP: Plan the cord placement so that no seams are placed across the top of the chair. Seams are unsightly and should not be right there on top of the chair back.

The cord is now attached up one side, across the top back and down the other side. In order to hide the cut ends at the edges, pull the fabric back about 1 1/2″ off the cord, cut the cord out and then fold the ‘cordless’ welt cord under to hide it under what will be covered by the outside back.

You’re almost there. We’ll attach the outside back tomorrow.

Red hot classes and workshops in a big, cool studio. Here are our hot new upholstery classes and workshops for May, June and July.

ALMOST TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Out of Towners Only 3 Day Upholstery Bootcamp
Pet Bed Making Workshop
Sewing Machine Basics

Click on Classes to see what you want to learn how to do this summer.

I’m amazed that Wendy and Liz from Thursday Night Upholstery both completed their chairs on time. It’s not that six weeks isn’t enough, it’s just that by the time the third session rolls around, students are starting to feel all chit-chatty and the valuable upholstery time melts away. I’d never put a stop to the social aspect of these classes. So even though I may have to do an extra class or two with everyone, I enjoy it as well.

Wendy’s rocker was like nothing I had ever seen. Each upholstered piece came apart by pulling out dowels. I think she only had two screws in the entire piece. An antique component chair–very progressive.

The only snag Wendy experienced was cutting her fabric too small right off the bat. The next week she returned with an entirely different fabric. Using a fabric you’re crazy about makes the job much more fun.

Liz first brought in the sister to this chair, but finished the second one first. ???? She also changed fabrics after the first class and ended up with this sassy cheetah fabric with neon orange trim.
With an hour left in one of the class sessions, she just cranked out the second chair like nobody’s business. If she didn’t already have a thriving career, she would have made a great assistant. (Ha! If I ever get an assistant.)

Look at the cute curve on the top rail. That’s the kind of detail you’re looking for.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the BEFORE photos. I’ll see what I can do about that and post them later this week.

Kate takes upholstery classes at my studio. She began collecting furniture to outfit her son’s apartment. Before she knew it, she had an entire garage full of living room furniture that needed updating. She decided to take upholstery classes to learn how to do it herself.

As classes progressed, she didn’t stop her Craigslist shopping for affordable Mid Century Modern pieces. Prices for this era of furniture are still very reasonable around these parts. In addition to finding great deals, she’s met some interesting and crazy furniture folks, a side benefit to thrifting and hunting for unique pieces.

The chair seat and back came out as separate upholstered pieces which made spray painting the cane frame as easy as pie.

The red fabric and black frame turned out clean, modern and perfect for a college student’s first pad.

Now let’s take a look at her first chair. She brought in this Martha Washington open armed side chair. She sharpened it up by painting the wood a glossy black. Surprisingly, the arms on these chairs can cause some frustration. It’s trickier than it looks to get the fabric tight, smooth and attached at the front and the back while keeping the design aligned. It was a learning experience and Kate gained some valuable upholstery savvy in the process. Now she’s unstoppable.

Please excuse me for reposting a photo of my beloved studio space, but I had to show off my emerging Photoshopping skills.

After the first two weeks in my new studio, I’m happy to report full classes with two more scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks.
What is it about working with your hands, talking, and creating that is so much fun?
I’ve discussed it with my east coast upholstery class consultant and blogger, Gina, from A Temporary Nest, and we agreed that we need a FB group for upholstery students. We came up with The Upholstery Playground.
This is the precursor to our FB group. Enjoy The Upholstery Playground’s first photos.

Here’s Kristy. Look at that punam!

Beth came prepared to tear down her antique sofa. Hazardous materials fly out of old furniture.

Shnowa is finishing the new webbing while Professor Harris contemplates his fabric pieces.

Val is a tough customer. Do Not Disturb. (She sewed the inside back perfectly.)

Stay tuned. I’ll try not to overdo the class photos, but I LOVE watching people working and having fun at the same time.

I’ve been so busy moving upholstery supplies from my basement studio to my new, above ground studio, I’m a day late on my Sofa Rescue posts.

Eighteen years ago I started my own upholstery business so I could quit my full time job as a litigation paralegal. I worked in the garage with a tiny space heater hanging high on the wall. My husband built a gigantic work table for me. I covered it in vinyl and there I was, in business. When I think about how difficult it was to run that type of business from home, I’m amazed I stuck with it. But I did, and now I’m getting the payback- my very own beautiful studio in a lively area of town with lots of revitalization going on. Perfect for my niche.
I turned to teaching upholstery 2 1/2 years ago and that was also difficult to do at home in my low ceiling, basement studio. I thank all the ladies and gents who, like troopers, marched down my basement steps to learn how to reupholster their secondhand castoffs.

OK, enough already, let’s move on to the subject at hand–petrified (as in hardened) sofa cushions and squishy “I can feel the rails on my butt” seat cushions. Before we get to fabric cutting and sewing, we need to see what we’re up against.
The the first photo is one of two sofas that were purchased in 1961, authentic Scandinavian designs that are even more beautiful in person. That photo is a fooler. It looks like a perfectly fine modern sofa, but only if you don’t need to actually use it. Bad back cushions, seat cushions, baggy fabric and fabric coming loose on the back.

Here’s the beginning of this segment of our Sofa Rescue:

It gets worse. At this point I thought “This isn’t bad at all. The staples just pop right out” until I discovered this-

Still, even at this point I thought I could easily pull the old foam right off that back piece of wood.
Wait! Do I see a chisel?
That’s right, I had to chisel the hardened foam off the wood back.

Well, I wasn’t expecting that. After wrestling and chiseling, I finally had this:

I knew I was going to have to make a Lowes run to get an extra large trash can for disposing of my crunchy mess.

The squishy seat cushions were not nearly as exciting. I opened up the zippered cover and found a floral print around a way too soft and squishy piece of seat foam.

Tomorrow’s task is to take the cushion covers apart, press the fabric, lay it out on the new fabric and cut out the pieces for sewing. Then we’ll cut new foam. This, you’ve got to see. Happy Wednesday!