Upholstery Terminology

In upholstery, the term "facing" describes the  
cutting orientation for the pattern pieces to be
cut. Left side and right side patterns are
opposites or "mirrors" of each other and pieces
with symmetrical components will always be cut in
pairs. However, when you are cutting for a
sectional or lounger, you may need just one arm.
In this instance, you would either cut one RAF
(right arm facing) or one LAF. (left side facing)  
In the example shown the arm assembly would
include one OA, IA and AF for both the left and
right arm.

BODY
LSF – Left side facing
RSF – Right side facing
IB – Inside back
OB – Outside back
Nose
Deck -(the entire surface
under the cushions)

ARM
IA – Inside arm
OA – Outside arm
LAF – Left arm facing
RAF - Right arm facing
AF - Arm front

WINGBACK CHAIRS
IW – Inside wing
OW – Outside wing

TEXTILES AND SEWING
RSU – Right side up
SA – Seam Allowance
RSD – Right side down

Upholstery Tips Page

How To Apply Upholstery Gimp / Trim

The gimp trim shown above is one of many finishing options used to trim furniture with exposed
wood. To affix upholstery trim apply small amounts of hot glue to the fabric and quickly press the
trim into position. Work slowly and carefully as too much glue will spread and stain your fabric.
For optimum adhesion and performance use a high temp. glue gun and heavy duty glue sticks
instead of a mini glue gun. Traditional liquid latex glues are also available but due to their
composition and instability I have experienced mixed reliability resulting in early repair work.   
You can also make your own piping cord and trim your upholstered piece in any fabric you wish.
Because this trim will be affixed and washing is not a concern you can use either paper or cotton
cord. The standard cord size for furniture is 5/32" or 0.4 cm. It is important to use a good quality
cord with a smooth, consistent diameter as it will affect the finished appearance of your piece.   
To make welting or piping cord, cut a strip of fabric 1 1/2" wide to the required length. Wrap your
fabric strip around the cord and sew tightly either with a piping foot or zipper foot.

*Refer to photo

Once your piping cord has been assembled, cut the SA (seam allowance) as close to the stitch
line as is possible. If you are using a fabric that frays quickly, adjust your cut accordingly. To glue
along the frame, position your cord so that the cut side is nestled at a 45 degree angle against
the frame.

To use this finishing method your frame must recess to accommodate the cord. See the project
"chair 1" for more details and photos.
Fabric covered piping cord, gimp, ribbon or nailhead trim are some of the other finishing options
for decorative wood trim furniture.

To learn how to upholster a chair with wood trim, click on the navigation bar "chair 1".

Shown Above: Kravet - Gimp Trim #TA5189 color 616 . Available in 43 colorways, approx. $33 US
yard.







Button Tufting Explained

Button tufting is a simple way to add a chic and decorative touch to upholstery. Different
materials, such as foam or loose fill, and your upholstery fabric, will all affect the finished look.
The examples shown below will help you through your DIY tufting project.


A threaded tufting needle
A tufting needle is anywhere from 8" to 12" long. After it has been thread, it is pulled through to
the back of a piece and then tied off. If you are adding buttons to a cushion on both sides, run
the twine through the shank of the second button and then tie three or four consecutive knots.


Button twine
This is the only thread that should be used to tie off buttons. It is made of nylon, extremely strong
and capable of extreme pressure. For throw cushions made in lightweight fabrics you can split
the twine and use a thickness of twine relative to your fabric.  This twine should never be split in
any upholstery application.

To set a button on an upholstered piece of furniture the shank must pass through the fabric.
Carefully snip the fabric below the shank until the shank nestles below the fabric. (the cut in the
fabric is represented by the red "x") You can then draw the cord tight to set the depth of the
button.


How to Tie Off Buttons
When twine is drawn through upholstery it is never tied off against the foam without a buffer. The
cord would simply rip through the foam, your button would loosen and eventually it could be
pulled right out. Traditionally, a knot is tied over a tuft of cotton batting, however this
material is typically available only to upholsterers. In place, you can cut a short length of welting
cord, fold it over in half, and tie a knot OVER the cord. If you have left over welting trim that has
been covered in fabric (as shown above) that is even better. The extra thickness will act as an
ideal anchor.

When setting multiple buttons on a tufted piece of furniture, the twine is never tied off in a knot
immediately. All of the buttons are "set" first, with just one knot. You can then stand back to
study your piece, ensuring that all of the buttons are set at the same depth.

Button twine is very strong, and the waxy nylon will hold the depth until you make that final tie
off.  You need only to pull and cross the nylon once against the welt cord. When you are happy
with your button settings tie three or four consecutive knots and then trim the excess twine.
Button twine is so strong that once your button depth is set and tied off you will not be able to
reset your button without cutting the twine and starting over.   


Button Tufting Samples
Grey Tufted Sample: The buttons are drawn tightly until the shank recedes into the
upholstery. The foam has not been cut with a foam button tufting cutter.

White Tufted Sample:  The foam has not been cut with a button tufting tool, and yet the end
result differs from the grey sofa sample. The casual, relaxed look has been achieved with the use
of a very soft inner foam.

Red Tufted Sample and Leather Sample: You can draw your buttons even deeper with a
button tufting foam cutter. This tool is attached to a drill and cuts out a round core through the
entire width of the foam. Adding thick Dacron or poly wrap over your foam (optional) will give a
higher loft and a plush finished look. A button tufting foam cutter was used to cut the foam on
both the red bench and the leather sofa. It is an essential tool in the diamond tufting process.


Diamond Tufting
The red lines in the photo are represented in the diagram.  From the center of each
cut core, the foam has been cut through in a straight line. The straight cuts are made along the
perimeter of the foam only. The fabric is tucked into this "trench" in a box pleat fashion, then
stapled into position on the back of the frame.

The blue pattern represents a finished diamond pattern. Each fold is created and held in place
when the button is drawn. Two people must work to create the diamond tufted pattern, one in
the front, and the other holding and releasing pressure on the twine as necessary. Set the
depth of the buttons temporarily, but do not tie them off until all of the buttons are set.  *See
notes above.  

Each round circle represents a hollow cut where the foam has been cut out with a button tufting
foam cutter. This special tool is attached to a drill. An upholstery needle that has been
threaded with nylon tufting twine and a button is drawn through this cut out and tied off in the
back. Cutting out the foam core is crucial to creating a diamond tufted pattern. It allows the
button to be drawn deeper into the upholstery and it also facilitates in setting the characteristic
pleating pattern.
As you work, simply pleat and tuck the fabric under the button, draw the button twine taught
and set the button on the back of your piece.
When accounting for yardage, you can expect to use a 2.5 – 3 times the length of your piece. If
the IB** of a loveseat measures 50”, allow at least 150” in length to create a diamond tufted
pattern. If you are running your fabric in the regular direction, this would mean that your IB will
have to be sewn in pieces. Try to make careful calculations so that in pleating, seams can be
hidden discreetly.

*Questions about terminology? Get familiar on the upholstery tips page.

Q. How deep do buttons have to be set?

The only rule is that you do not want the buttons set too loose. Once you have set your
buttons, TEST them by flicking them from the side with your thumb. If they do not lift up, then it
is OK to tie them off at that depth.

Q. With diamond tufting, how large do the pleats under the button have to be?

There are no rules for the pleat size. They can be small and petite, or more pronounced. Just
make sure that the pleats do not look loose or sloppy. Setting pleats in some fabrics may
require more time as a natural fold line may be more difficult to set.  

Q. Aside from tying off buttons with welting cord, can anything else be done to
secure buttons?

After drawing the twine towards the backside you have TWO lengths of twine in your hand for
each button. In addition to tying off the button twine in a knot, if you cut your twine longer, it can
also be stapled to the frame. (this will be hidden when the OB or OA is upholstered) Pull the
twine tight to the frame (your frame may not allow for this process) and shoot two staples close
to one another. Continue setting staples in this manner drawing the twine forward and then back,
in a zig zag pattern. Two or three times is plenty.



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