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Tools You Need For Your Furniture Upholstery Project
September 28, 2016 02:07:26pm
Are you thinking of embarking on a DIY furniture upholstering project? Even if you have the perfect fabric already selected, along with the right foam or batting, you’ll need several upholstering tools to get the job done.
Basic Furniture Upholstery Tools
Here’s a list of the basic upholstery tools that are used in nearly any furniture upholstery project:
- Fabric scissors – for cutting fabric (including layers of fabric), thin foam, batting, threads, etc. (opt for fabric scissors rather than pinking shears, which will leave a zigzag pattern and will not be able to snip small threads, etc.)
- Measuring tape – for measuring lengths of fabric, webbing, etc.
- Needle-nose pliers – for pulling out broken staples
- Screwdriver – for disassembling furniture or removing certain parts when needed
- Sewing machine – At a minimum, your sewing machine should have a “walking foot,” and be able to make a straight stitch with forward and reverse.
- Staple gun – for stapling fabric and webbing into place
- Staple remover – for pulling out staples without damaging the area
- Steamer – You’ll want to flatten seams as you work, which is quite a bit easier with a steamer. You’ll also want to steam skirts, etc., and make your finished product look neat and tidy.
- T-pins – for holding fabric in place while you tack or sew it
- Upholstery needles – for sewing on buttons and creating rolled edges (these needles are heavier gauge than typical sewing machine needles, and are made of steel)
- Upholstery tacks – for securing fabric and webbing into place (these are available in multiple sizes and types, so be sure to find the right one for your specific project)
Specialized Furniture Upholstery Tools
If your furniture reupholstering project is a bit more complex, it may require specialized upholstery tools, such as these:
- Electric carving knife – for cutting and shaping foam
- Magnetic hammer – for hammering the tack into place while you secure the fabric with your other hand (the magnetized tip of the hammer lifts and holds the tack in place for you)
- Rubber mallet – for knocking wood frames apart or into position (a traditional hammer would likely damage the frame), and for installing tack strips
- Webbing stretcher – for stretching and tightening seat webbing, and grasping the webbing and fabric while you tack or staple it into place
Invest in high quality upholstery tools such as these, and you’ll be on your way to tackling almost any type of upholstery project. The downside is that the cost of these tools can add up, and before long, your simple DIY furniture upholstery project can become a bit of a headache. The other downside is that without the right training and experience, not even great furniture refinishing tools can guarantee a successful project.
The Best Jacksonville FL Furniture Upholstering Company
Oftentimes the easiest, cost-effective, and all around best idea is to find a great furniture refinisher in your area and let the professionals upholster your furniture for you. The choice is simple if you live in Riverside, Mandarin, Fleming Island, or anywhere else in Northeast Florida: Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best furniture upholstery and restoration service Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their finest furniture. Our craftsmen are highly trained, vastly experienced, and passionate about restoring antique furniture and fine furniture, including your favorite piece.
