Upholstering from base to cover: workflow and technique

A good upholstery feels pleasant holds its shape for years and looks beautiful. Behind that result lies a layering where each layer has its task. Understand the layers and their sequence you understand upholstery — and you can both build new and figure out what is wrong with an old upholstery that has sagged or become uneven.

§Disassembly and assessment

If a piece of furniture is to be upholstered work begins with removing the old cover and upholstery and assessing the frame. Here you see what can be reused and what needs to be renewed — webbing springs and filling. The old cover can often be used as a template for the new one. A thorough disassembly reveals the furniture's construction and is a good lesson in how it should be built up again.

§Bottom and bearing

The bottom is the upholstery's foundation. Burlap or equivalent supporting material is stretched over the frame and forms the flat surface everything else rests on. If the bottom is stretched too loose, the upholstery sags; too tight, it becomes hard. The right tension is one of the first things an upholsterer must learn to feel.

§Springs and suspension

On top of the base sits the suspension that provides the sitting comfort. In classical upholstery springs are tied and sewn together so they work together and provide a soft but supportive base. In modern upholstery foam or spring systems are often used which provide more uniform comfort. Regardless of method the goal is the same: a comfortable even and durable suspension.

• 01Bottom of burlap or supporting material, tightened with correct tension
• 02Suspension of springs or foam that carry and spring
• 03Filling and padding that shapes and softens
• 04Middle layer that protects and smooths out
• 05Upholstery that suits and tightens the whole thing up

§Fill and shape

The filling gives the padding its shape and soft surface. Here the seating surface, backrest and armrests are shaped so they become comfortable and symmetrical. It is in this layer that the furniture's character and form are created — a tight, firm shape for a modern piece of furniture or a soft, round shape for a classic armchair.

§Upholstery and finish

Finally comes the cover. It is measured, cut, sewn and stretched smoothly and evenly over the upholstery so it follows the shape without folds or skewness. Patterns must face right and match at seams, and the cover is attached neatly and durably. The finish is what the customer sees — but it rests entirely on the layers underneath.

“Good upholstery is built from below. What no one sees bears what everyone feels.”