ASK ME ANYTHING!
Furniture, and the Art of Figuring It Out
Ever wanted to learn upholstery but didn’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Not everyone is nice or helpful on those online forums, and it can be difficult to get answers to your specific questions. From fabric selection and foam replacement to rebuilding chair frames, repairing springs, and learning the tools of the trade — this page exists to answer every beginner question, one day at a time.
Whether you’re
- Learning out of necessity — repairing what you already own to save money (and the planet),
- Exploring a hobby that lets you turn creative energy into something tangible, or
- Building a side business restoring, customizing, or flipping furniture for profit, you’ll find answers here that demystify the entire process.
We’ll cover topics like:
- Basic upholstery tools and how to use them
- Fabric, foam, and batting 101
- Frame repair, springs, and webbing
- Pricing, estimating, and selling your work
- Eco-friendly restoration and material reuse
- How to get started at home, even with no experience
The truth is, upholstery looks intimidating, but it’s just a collection of skills you can absolutely learn. I’ve taught hundreds of people to do it themselves, and every single one started with questions just like yours. I make it look easy, because everything becomes easy with practice.
So, ask away. No question is too simple, too weird, or too late. Let’s turn curiosity into confidence, and furniture into a story worth keeping.
I’m reupholstering 1940’s dining room chairs. They have two coil straps in seats 3 and 3 . I can tie the 4 corner springs 8 ways but the middle springs only line up for 4 way tie.
Ooof! Without an image it was hard for me to visualize... This one I had to do in photoshop! You can still do an 8 way tie with this set up! I laid out your spring formation the way you have described it, and placed lines across in the direction you need to tie them...
Bonjour je refais un siège style anglais et il y avait 9 ressorts sur le dossier. Les sangles n étaient pas jointes.est ce normal? Et je ne trouve pas de tutu pour refaire le dossier avec ressorts mery.
Translated by Google:"Hello, I am redoing an English style seat and there were 9 springs on the backrest. The straps were not attached. Is this normal? And I can't find a tutu (tutorial?) to redo the folder with mery springs" Please forgive me if the translation was...
I am working on reupholstering a Lazy Boy recliner – an older style with wooden arms. I am confused as to how to attach the back covering. I understand the top attachment and the use of metal tack strips on the upper part of the back. On the lower part there are side pieces that I need to attach somehow . They are partially attached to the cushion frame and then they velcro to the chair frame. In the pictures I’ve attached them as I thought they would go but when I put it on the chair frame & velcro the top part of the piece just hangs out loose. You’d have to push it in after every recline. I cant get it to work. Also for reference sake is there a name for these added pieces? Thank You!.
Heya! It's hard to tell from the image, but based on your description, it sounds like your back panel isn't long enough, because when it reclines, it stretches out, and the velcro becomes unstuck. Try adjusting the length and cut a longer piece. Determine how much you...
I live in the UK and would like to learn upholstery, do you do any online classes.
The author announces their new virtual upholstery lessons. These lessons, ranging from 2-4 hours, are conducted through high-definition video calls, guiding participants towards professionally finished projects. Furthermore, they provide free additional support through the LullCo Upholstery Club Group on Facebook.
BYOP Classes
Bring your own project to the studio or join me from home over Zoom for guided support. We have all the tools and materials you need here at the studio and available on my website. Everything you need to get started with confidence.
ZOOM Classes
All of my BYOP classes can be attended online or over Zoom, from the comfort of your own home. Buy one class, or pay $300 a month for unlimited class access. Dedicate time to developing your skill, and I'll be there every step of the way.
Private Lessons
Need some special attention for your project? I'm happy to help guide you through it here in the studio, or over Zoom, from the comfort of your own home! Book a private lesson to get your questions answered today!



