How to Join Fabric when Deep Tufting

In the recent webinar, Deep Tufting for Upholstery presented by Rowley Company, Laurie Medford showed steps for creating deep tufting; a beautiful, padded upholstery surface. 


Included here are the steps for joining fabrics.  This was a popular tip and many attendees requested to see the steps again so we are sharing them here.


 If you missed the webinar and would like to learn how to do deep tufting from start to finish join in on the next live presentation  November 5, 2010 at 11:00 am EST. 
Click here to register:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/133974963

When creating deep tufting in upholstery, the fabric is joined on the piece, and not sewn together prior to tufing the project.  To do this place the next fabric piece over the area to be covered and match the pattern/grain line.  Tuck the fabric into the hole as if you are adding a button and tufting and mark.    (Note: On this sample the fabric was turned in the opposite direction for photography purposes, the grain line should match).

Draw lines to connect the marks.

Cut fabric allowing at least 1/2" past the lines drawn and clip at the "V".

               
Tuck under the allowance and pull as usual, making sure to catch the edge of the fabric with the needle when adding the buttons.  Continue tufting the piece using tension to match the rest of the piece.

Pet Beds

Custom pet bedding is a hot trend, from small upholstered settee's to large, over-stuffed cushions, luxury bedding can be created for your customers homes and for their pets.  Most pet beds are square or round boxed cushions.  Details such as ruffles or appliques can make pet beds a conversation piece and helps them to fit smartly into the room decor. 

When creating pet beds, pre-wash fabrics and serge all seams for longer wear.  Add zippers or hook & loop closures so the covers can be removed for cleaning.  Create a soft, cozy bed by using Poly Cluster Fill (PJ90) or Pillow Stuffing Fiber (PF90) which is available in large, 10 lbs bags, covering with a durable fabric like canvas.

For free, printable instructions visit our website for this and other project ideas.

Add ruffled and match the room decor with elegant fabrics.

Photo courtesy of Susan W. Schurz

A very simple pillow is used with a small, iron daybed.

http://www.pettrends.com/

Fun prints in faux fur will delight your pet.

http://www.petpedic.com/

Inspired Ideas

Our Free, Online Webinars Spark Custom Creativity

Cammie Berger, Cammie Berger Interiors, Charlotte, NC was inspired after attending the All About Pillows II webinar.  She created this beautiful pillow out of linen selvages.  What a great way to recycle what would normally be thrown in the trash.

Carol Collord, Creations by Carol, Medway, MA was inspired by ideas she picked up by attending the All About Pillows and The Best of Rowley Company Tips & Tricks webinars.  Carol created this grommet embellished pillow as a customer thank-you gift.

Many thanks to Cammie and Carol for sharing their pillows with Rowley Company.  We would love to hear from you!  Click here to submit pictures of your inspired creations.

Lambrequins

A lambrequin is a style of pelmet or cornice with long ends that extend down the side of the window, often to the sill or even to the floor.  Lambrequins were popular in the early to mid 19th century and were made with stiffened buckram, paper or wood.   The red, silk lambrequin above, c. 1850 is featured in the book Upholstery in America & Europe from the Seventeenth Century to World War I (1987 The Barra Foundation) where designs for lambrequins are "first being seen in The Workman's Guide in 1883, where they are praised as being 'very simple and may be cut to any shape'..."

Another interesting historical reference and a sound piece of design advice can be found in The American Woman's Home (Harriet Beecher Stowe and Catherine Beecher,1869) "...the patterns of these can be varied according to fancy, but simple designs are usually the prettiest.  A tassel at the lowest point improves the appearance."

Miss Beechers housekeeper & Healthkeeper, Catherine Esther Beecher, 1873

Early lambrequins were made with buckram, paper or wood.  These option are still available to the modern workroom as well as new materials such as FirmaFlex, a lightweight polyester fiberboard that allows for large, shaped projects with less weight than wood.  Before upholstering the structure batting or interlining should be added for softer edges and a  more uniform appearance.  The reverse side is usually lined (or painted) and a gimp braid covers any tacks or staples.

Lambrequins can be combined with draperies, shades or shutters.  The length of the sides helps to control light when blackout is desired.

Adding trims such as braid, fringe, banding or upholstery nails helps to outine the shape and give added texture and dimension to this flat style of window treatment.

Learn Upholstery Tips, Tools and Techniques

ROWLEY COMPANY has many products for the upholstery workroom such as upholstery nails, staple removers, pliers, mallets, jute webbing, gimp, air staplers, foam cutters and fiber.  If you would like to learn more about upholstery, visit our website for free instructions, videos and webinars.

Click on the INNOVATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE tab near the top of the page and select "How-To's" from the drop down menu for printable instructions for an "Upholstered Seating Cube" or how to make a "Headboard with Decorative Hardware". 

Click on VIDEO SOLUTIONS at the bottom of the homepage to see the new videos for the Foam Cutter, Air Stapler and Locking Button Form Clasp.

Click on WEBINARS to register for an upcoming, upholstery topic such as "Upholstery Tips & Techniques", "Make Your Own Upholstered Seating Cube" or "Deep Tufting for Upholstery".

Patterns Matching Tip

Can you see it? 

It's there. 

Right in front of you in plain sight.

A Perfect Pattern Match

An invisible pattern match is key to creating quality window treatments, bedding and upholstery.  A good pattern match may be visible upon close inspection but a bad pattern match is visible from across the room.  In fact, a bad pattern match or pattern placement can be so distracting it can ruin an otherwise lovely design.

Here are some tips for creating a perfect pattern match...FAST!

Begin by examining the fabric and determining how much needs to be turned under along the selvage edge to create a match with the joining piece.  Press under the edge, down the length of material that you are matching.

On the under side of the fold, add narrow width Iron-On Bonding Tape along the very edge, next to the fold.  Remove the release paper and place the edge over the other piece of fabric lining up the pattern.

Rowley Company Fringe Adhesive can also be used instead of the Iron-On Bonding Tape.  Place small dots of Fringe Adhesive along the fold on the reverse side. 

When using any adhesive product, test first.

Line up the patterns so that they match and press the join with a steam iron to set the adhesive.

After the match has been created take the fabric to the sewing machine and stitch in the crease from the wrong side.  The adhesive prevents the fabric from puckering or stretching as you sew.

Once the seam has been sewn serge off the selvage edge.  The match is finished. Press from the front to flatten the seam.

Rowley Company

Creating Outdoor Rooms

Decorating outside of the home has become very popular.  Workrooms are making outdoor panels, shades, pillows, cushions and awnings.  Designers have exciting choices in fabrics, trims, hardware, rugs, lighting, furniture, table linens and more, all specifically for outdoor use.

Rowley Company has many products that are perfect for outdoors.  Grommet panels are a great choice for porches and gazebos, they are easy to care for and operate.  Rowley's stainless steel #12 Grommets will not rust or tarnish (GRS12). 

The Hardened Setting Die (GL12/ST) is recommended

when setting the stainless steel grommets.

If you would like to create shades for a screened-in porch or patio area Rowley has Translucent Rib Loop Tape (TT18) and Clear Plastic Ribs (RSR2), Polyester Lift Cord (LC9K) and Outdoor Roller Clutch Components which can be found
on page 183 of our 2010 catalog. 

Creating the perfect outdoor living space is a new and growing trend. 

Now there is the opportunity to be not only an interior decorator but an exterior decorator as well.  Products and tools from Rowley Company will help make your exterior decorating projects a success.

Other Rowley Company products that are perfect for outdoor use include:

Outdoor Upholstery Thread available in 6 colors, TO6K
Molded Tooth Zippers ETP5 and ETP8
Nylon Zippers EVP3 and EVP5

Right Angle Pin Strip HS210 or Hook Strip HS225

FirmaFlex™ Bendable Fiber Board available in many sizes page 139

Stainless Steel Staples NS32/SS, NS33/SS and NS34/SS

Polyfoam Welt Cord WC39/S or WC40/S

UV Stable Hook & Loop Tape, Sew-On HU100 or HU200

Moisture Resistant Fabric (Shower Curtain Fabric) SF30 and SF31

EZ-Glide Shower Curtain Rings (Ant. Copper, Nickel, Matte Nickel) ST18

If you would like to learn how to make outdoor grommet panels and shades, join us for the free webinar "Let's Head Outdoors: Outdoor Roller Shades and Grommet Panels", Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:00 am EST. 

To Register Click Here:

FREE WEBINAR