Upholstery Honor

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

1. Know the following items used in upholstery. Describe the tools and give their uses:
   • Crowbar
   • Staple remover
   • Curved needles
   • Magnetic hammer
   • Utility knife or sharp knife
   • Workbench
   • Industrial sewing machine
   • Manual staple gun

   Answer: 1) Pry bar: a metal lever-shaped tool, used to lift and pull out tacks, nails, and staples from old upholstery during disassembly. 2) Staple remover: a sharp-pointed or forked tool used to pull staples from the fabric and wood without damaging the structure. 3) Curved needles: half-moon-shaped needles, used to sew in curves, corners, and hard-to-reach places, where a straight needle cannot reach. 4) Magnetic hammer: a hammer with a magnetized face, which holds the tack by the tip to strike it precisely using only one hand, fixing the fabric to the wood. 5) Utility knife or sharp blade: a cutting tool used to cut fabrics, foams, and leathers precisely, following the pattern markings. 6) Worktable: a wide, sturdy surface where the fabrics are cut, the patterns measured, and the piece supported during upholstery. 7) Industrial sewing machine: a robust and powerful machine, capable of sewing thick fabrics and leathers, used to make and join the upholstery covers. 8) Manual stapler: a hand-operated tool that applies staples to fix the fabric and lining to the wooden structure of the furniture. — The magnetic hammer has a magnetized head that holds the tack while you position it — an American invention of the 1920s still in use. Industrial machines like the Singer 4423 or Yamata work with thicker needles (no. 18-22) and resistant polyester thread. The manual stapler uses 6 mm-12 mm staples. The utility knife cuts fabric/foam; the table supports the work; the stapler fixes the fabric to the wood.

2. Explain the use of the following items:
   • Webbing straps
   • Staples and tacks
   • Foam
   • Upholstery cotton batting

   Answer: 1) Webbing: elastic strips (or reinforced fabric) crossed and fixed to the structure of the furniture; they serve as a flexible support that holds the seat and the backrest, giving firmness and comfort. 2) Staples and tacks: metal pieces used to fix the fabric, the lining, and the webbing to the wood of the structure, holding everything in place. 3) Foam: material used as filling, giving volume, softness, and comfort to the seat and the backrest. 4) Upholstery cotton: a batting placed over the foam as a finish, making the surface softer and more uniform before applying the final fabric. — Elastic webbing (traditional jute webbing or modern synthetic rubber) lasts 15-20 years before loosening. D-23 to D-33 foam is used for seats (high firmness), D-13 to D-18 for backrests (softer). Large-headed tacks (decorative) have visible use in luxury button-tufted leather upholstery. The cotton goes between the foam and the fabric for a smooth finish.

3. Know at least 3 types of fabric common in your region that are used in upholstery.

   Answer: Velvet (short/corduroy), suede (synthetic suede), chenille (fluffy), leather/faux leather, jacquard (patterned), and linen. Choose according to use. — Suede is the best-selling fabric in Brazil for sofas (durable, easy to clean, medium cost). Chenille is more sophisticated and warm, popular in the South. Natural leather lasts 30+ years but is expensive; faux leather/PU is the economical alternative. Velvet became a trend in 2020 with popular modern 'classic chic' decor.

4. Explain how to fit the back cover for finishing on a 3-seat sofa.

   Answer: Cut the fabric with a 5 cm allowance, fold the edges inward, and staple it to the back of the backrest every 5 cm, applying tension. — The back cover is the least visible piece but requires care — customers notice poor finishing when moving the sofa. The 5 cm allowance allows reuse if you make a mistake in the cut. Some workshops use an invisible zipper to allow future internal access in case of maintenance. Hide decorative tacks if there is a finish visible on the upholstery.

5. What is the name of the material used for the base of a living-room sofa and what is its purpose?

   Answer: Elastic webbing (jute or rubber) crossed in a mesh. It supports weight and gives flexibility to the seat. — Modern synthetic webbing (Pirelli) is made of vulcanized rubber with cotton fibers; it supports up to 80 kg each and lasts 20+ years. The traditional jute webbing is more ecological but loosens after 10-15 years. The crossed mesh distributes the weight evenly without sagging or deforming the wooden structure.

6. Know 2 methods of fastening covers for chairs.

   Answer: 1) Fixed: staples/tacks directly into the wood (permanent). 2) Removable: elastic, velcro, or cord (washable). — Fixed covers are standard on dining-room chairs (a service life of 15-20 years). Removable covers are popular in families with children for the ease of washing — IKEA popularized this model with the Henriksdal line in the 2000s. Velcro and elastic are more practical than cord for daily use and allow the cover to be changed periodically.

7. Choose 1 of the following:
   • Upholster an armchair or sofa
   • Upholster a toy box

   Answer: Choose 1: an armchair/sofa (advanced) or a toy box (beginner). Do the complete technique + photos. — The toy box is the best option for beginners — a flat surface, no complex curves, and little fabric needed (~1 m²). An armchair/sofa requires 4-6 m² of fabric and skill with curves, industrial sewing, and webbing attachment. For a Pathfinder club, a box is more instructive and economical for practical learning.

8. Make a cushion for a sofa.

   Answer: 2 squares (40-50 cm), sew 3 sides inside out, turn it right side out, fill with fiber/foam, and close the 4th side. — Siliconized fiber is the most used filling in Brazil (R$15-25/kg) — light, washable, and hypoallergenic. Cut foam is firmer, durable for 10+ years. An invisible zipper gives a professional finish and allows the cover to be washed separately from the filling (a modern practice in home sewing studios). Present the finished cushion to the examiner.