Upholstery and Fabrics - Springs beneath my dining room chair seats?
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AlcyCallen
10-21-08, 06:52 PM
I just purchased 6 dining room chair seats that the dealer said were European in origin from the earlier part of the 20th century. When you take off the seat cushions and flip them, there appear to be several layers beneath the top upholstery: Springs, coarse filler that I think might be straw, and then burlap. Should I take off all but the springs, and if so, with what should I top them--foam, batting? Or should I leave them intact (they seem fine, just messy and I'm sort of bug-a-phobic) and just cover over the faded but otherwise decent condition top layer of upholstery?
I'd really appreciate some guidance. I've done simple jobs before with good results, but I'm out of my experience here.:thinker:
I'd really appreciate some guidance. I've done simple jobs before with good results, but I'm out of my experience here.:thinker:
jmurray2112
10-22-08, 10:39 PM
without seeing pics of what you are seeing when you flip the seat pads over, it's somewhat difficult to make a recommendation, but given your verbal description, and assuming you mean coil springs (each attached to each adjacent spring top and bottom), I think you could remove all but the spring-set, cover the spring-set with a heavy canvas or rip-stop nylon, and then use a foam sheet for padding. Then a upholstery covering of your choice.
AlcyCallen
10-23-08, 07:06 PM
to stuff the cushions? Was that common? Since it's in pretty good shape, should I just leave it as is?
jmurray2112
10-23-08, 11:02 PM
a good question. Availability? You read about a straw-tick mattresses in period literature. May have had some inherent resistance to rot or infestation. Or, not.
All I know is that upholsterers historically have used what was readily available at the time. I've found all sorts of organic matter in the disassembly of antiques.
I'd think that if there's no overt signs of deterioration or moisture damage, and you don't want to invest the time in stripping off the current covering, then you could upholster over the existing fabric, provided the support structure was comfortable enough.
You could, I suppose, even use 2 mil plastic as a barrier between the old and new coverings, to address the bug-a-phobia, given that it still can breathe from underneath.
good luck.
All I know is that upholsterers historically have used what was readily available at the time. I've found all sorts of organic matter in the disassembly of antiques.
I'd think that if there's no overt signs of deterioration or moisture damage, and you don't want to invest the time in stripping off the current covering, then you could upholster over the existing fabric, provided the support structure was comfortable enough.
You could, I suppose, even use 2 mil plastic as a barrier between the old and new coverings, to address the bug-a-phobia, given that it still can breathe from underneath.
good luck.