Upholstery Techniques - Group A

Top Cover & Finishing

With all upholstery foundations in place, applying the top cover and finishing is the most exciting process. The top cover and finishing is the icing on the cake and where the furniture really starts to come alive.

Applying the top cover makes all the hard work worthwhile. To see a piece of furniture take shape and come to life gives the upholsterer tremendous satisfaction. However, just as the icing on a cake can hide any imperfections, on upholstery applying the top cover can reveal them, which is why so much effort and attention to detail is applied in the earlier stages.

What really makes furniture come alive is the choice of fabric and finishes. Plumbs can offer thousands of different fabric colour, pattern and finishing combinations. It’s definitely no mean feat deciding with this much choice around.

You need to consider a number of key factors when making these decisions. Firstly, how your choice of colours will coordinate with the surrounding décor. Think about the shape and features of the furniture; is it elegant, heavyset, small or tall? Does it have show wood? All these factors have an impact when deciding whether to choose plain, textured, patterned or floral fabrics.

How the furniture is used should also be considered. Is it an everyday or just occasional piece? Occasional chairs, for example, are often regarded as being more decorative than practical, so delicate silks or suedes would suit. On frequently used furniture more robust fabrics would be a better choice.

There are many finishes and trimmings available from Plumbs, to enhance the top cover and final look of the furniture but they are also widely used to hide tack lines and stitching. Finishings come in all manor of colours, textures and designs. The more common types include; piping, braid, cord, studs, gimp and valances (pleated, tasselled & skirted).

-Jodi