Upholstery provides padding, springs, webbing and fabric or leather covers to furniture, especially seats. It uses materials like leather, cotton and plastics that can be stitched, tacked or glued. Quality furniture still uses leather while most have foam under fabric covers. Frames and spring systems are key components, with frames beginning with wood that is joined and reinforced, while spring systems support seating areas using standard or hand-tied springs.

1. Upholstery materialsUpholstery materials
UpholsteryUpholstery is the work of providingis the work of providing furniturefurniture, especially, especially seatsseats, with, with paddingpadding,, springssprings,,
webbingwebbing, and, and fabricfabric oror leatherleather covers. The wordcovers. The word upholsteryupholstery comes from thecomes from the Middle EnglishMiddle English
wordswords upup andand holdenholden, meaning, meaning to hold upto hold up. The term is applied to domestic furniture and. The term is applied to domestic furniture and
also to applications inalso to applications in automobilesautomobiles andand boatsboats. A person who works with upholstery is called. A person who works with upholstery is called
an upholsterer; an apprentice upholsterer is sometimes called an outsider or trimmer.an upholsterer; an apprentice upholsterer is sometimes called an outsider or trimmer.

3. Uses in furniture makingUses in furniture making
 Generally made from leather, cottons otherGenerally made from leather, cottons other
fabrics and plastic materialsfabrics and plastic materials
 Can be stitched, tacked and stapled glues.Can be stitched, tacked and stapled glues.
 Quality furniture makers still leatherQuality furniture makers still leather
 Most have a soft foam or similar materialMost have a soft foam or similar material
under the coveringunder the covering

4. Fabrics and leathersFabrics and leathers
 TextilesTextiles, a term used in the furniture industry, encompass both, a term used in the furniture industry, encompass both
fabrics andfabrics and leathersleathers and the choice of textiles can account forand the choice of textiles can account for
up to 80% of furniture price.up to 80% of furniture price.
 Tightly woven fabrics and blends tend to wear longer thanTightly woven fabrics and blends tend to wear longer than
light or loose-weave natural fibers.light or loose-weave natural fibers.
 Leather is a durable and easy-care natural material that softensLeather is a durable and easy-care natural material that softens
and improves with time. To create quality leather, top-grainand improves with time. To create quality leather, top-grain
hideshides areare tannedtanned, processed and, processed and dyeddyed to give a certain color orto give a certain color or
look. Tanning refers to the process in which salts are used tolook. Tanning refers to the process in which salts are used to
cure the hide and to stabilize its shape. Dyeing refers tocure the hide and to stabilize its shape. Dyeing refers to
infusing the hide with different color dyes.infusing the hide with different color dyes.
 Aniline dyeing is a high quality process that imparts color butAniline dyeing is a high quality process that imparts color but
does not disguise the natural character of the hide. Somedoes not disguise the natural character of the hide. Some
leathers are further treated with a pattern, texture, or polish.leathers are further treated with a pattern, texture, or polish.

5. Cushions, pillows, padding and fillsCushions, pillows, padding and fills
 Once a piece of upholstered furniture has its frame and springs, the nextOnce a piece of upholstered furniture has its frame and springs, the next
components are the cushions and padding. Seat cushions sit on top of thecomponents are the cushions and padding. Seat cushions sit on top of the
spring system and seat deck. Back pillows, if present, rest against the backspring system and seat deck. Back pillows, if present, rest against the back
and arms of the piece.and arms of the piece.
 Most cushions are made of a high-density foam core that is then wrappedMost cushions are made of a high-density foam core that is then wrapped
with either softwith either soft polyesterpolyester,, featherfeather and down, or a hypoallergenic downand down, or a hypoallergenic down
substitute. Dacron adds resilience so that pillows and seats keep theirsubstitute. Dacron adds resilience so that pillows and seats keep their
shape, while the wraps form a soft envelope. Cushions and pillows areshape, while the wraps form a soft envelope. Cushions and pillows are
usually sewn into cotton cases to ensure smooth upholstering.usually sewn into cotton cases to ensure smooth upholstering.
 Feather and down offers the maximum comfort and softness in cushionsFeather and down offers the maximum comfort and softness in cushions
and pillows that most people desire and designers prefer. Feather and downand pillows that most people desire and designers prefer. Feather and down
back pillows and wrapped seat cushions can always be "fluffed-up" toback pillows and wrapped seat cushions can always be "fluffed-up" to
maintain an attractive look. Feather and down fills and wraps require amaintain an attractive look. Feather and down fills and wraps require a
little more maintenance than polyester and high density-foam but they havelittle more maintenance than polyester and high density-foam but they have
greater comfort, durability and resilience.greater comfort, durability and resilience.

6. Outdoor furnitureOutdoor furniture
 Outdoor furniture may just have a weavedOutdoor furniture may just have a weaved
plastic fabric to upholster the chair.plastic fabric to upholster the chair.
 Advantages are they are weather and waterAdvantages are they are weather and water
resistantresistant

7. Cheaper furniture using plasticsCheaper furniture using plastics
 The frame of the chairThe frame of the chair
uses high qualityuses high quality
aluminum tube, withaluminum tube, with
textilene fabric. It istextilene fabric. It is
unfading, durable,unfading, durable,
tearing -resistant,tearing -resistant,
mildew-resistant, flame-mildew-resistant, flame-
retardant ,UV-retardant ,UV-
resistant ,bearing. Highresistant ,bearing. High
and low temperature . Itand low temperature . It
is easy to move andis easy to move and
clean.clean.

8. AdvantagesAdvantages
 Leather is usually best for cleaning and wearLeather is usually best for cleaning and wear
and tearand tear
 Plastics can wear away and look tackyPlastics can wear away and look tacky
 Cottons and other materials such as suede'sCottons and other materials such as suede's
can be softer than leather but are harder tocan be softer than leather but are harder to
clean an generally wear more.clean an generally wear more.

9. Added information about furnitureAdded information about furniture
 The furniture needs the following to workThe furniture needs the following to work
effectivelyeffectively
 FramesFrames
 Spring systemsSpring systems

10. FramesFrames
 The life of a piece of upholstered furnitureThe life of a piece of upholstered furniture
begins with its frame: although the underlyingbegins with its frame: although the underlying
wooden framework cannot be seen in thewooden framework cannot be seen in the
finished product, the type of wood used tofinished product, the type of wood used to
create it will have a bearing on the quality ofcreate it will have a bearing on the quality of
the final product.the final product.

11. FramesFrames
 Joints are the places where one piece of frame wood intersects to anotherJoints are the places where one piece of frame wood intersects to another
part of the frame at an angle. Joints must be reinforced with blocks orpart of the frame at an angle. Joints must be reinforced with blocks or
dowels for extra support or the frame will be susceptible to loosening overdowels for extra support or the frame will be susceptible to loosening over
time.time.
 Blocking refers to the process of placing additional blocks of wood behindBlocking refers to the process of placing additional blocks of wood behind
or diagonal to joints and corners for support in areas where the furnitureor diagonal to joints and corners for support in areas where the furniture
craftsman believes there may be greater stress. Blocks provide lateralcraftsman believes there may be greater stress. Blocks provide lateral
support and a larger area for screws and fasteners to set wood elementssupport and a larger area for screws and fasteners to set wood elements
securely. This extra bracing at stress points contributes to the lastingsecurely. This extra bracing at stress points contributes to the lasting
integrity of the frame. An alternative to blocking is dowelling.integrity of the frame. An alternative to blocking is dowelling.
 Dowelling refers to the process whereby one or two dowels are drilled,Dowelling refers to the process whereby one or two dowels are drilled,
hammered and glued into the wood at stress-points to provide extrahammered and glued into the wood at stress-points to provide extra
strength and support to the frame. Nails, screws, fasteners and glue maystrength and support to the frame. Nails, screws, fasteners and glue may
also support many parts of a frame.also support many parts of a frame.

12. Spring systemsSpring systems
 Once the frame is constructed, a spring systemOnce the frame is constructed, a spring system
is installed to support the seating area.is installed to support the seating area.
Furniture manufacturers employ two mainFurniture manufacturers employ two main
types of spring support systems:types of spring support systems: standardstandard
springssprings andand eight-way hand tied springseight-way hand tied springs..
When the spring system is finished with a topWhen the spring system is finished with a top
layer of padding, it is commonly called thelayer of padding, it is commonly called the
"seat deck"."seat deck".