Published: May 10, 2008 08:08 pm            

Make your grandmother’s old chair look new again

Answes To Go



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Q. I have an antique side chair of my grandmother’s that needs new fabric on the seat. It should be a simple job, but I’d like to use velvet. Do you have a book on working with various upholstery fabrics?



A. Yes. Let’s consult “House Beautiful: The Fabric Style Book” by Carl J. Dellatore. In discussing velvet, Dellatore writes, “The soft pile, beautiful luster, and exquisite drape have made velvet irresistible for centuries.

“Velvet is made from cotton, silk, or rayon. For upholstery, choose cotton velvet for its relative durability, heavier weight, and subtle luster.

Do not use velvet for furniture that sees heavy use or for furniture that will be exposed to moisture.”

Dellatore goes on to offer tips for working successfully with velvet: “Velvet is a fabric woven by the simplest of methods. It consists of a warp and a filler, which are woven together much like a hooked rug, with raised loops. After the weaving process, the fabric is cut to remove the connecting ends of the loops, leaving a velour finish.

“All velvets have a directional orientation. The fabric is compacted by the cutting process toward one direction; this produces variations in tone when viewed from different angles. Careful attention must be paid to mark the direction in which the fabric will be used.

“This is usually done with safety pins or tailor’s chalk on the reverse of the cut. If this is not done, the finished product might appear to be of several shades.

“There is a second reason for careful consideration when working with velvet. Velvet has directional quality not only with regard to color, but in reference to the ‘hand’ or ‘tooth’ as well. Run your hand down a cut of velvet, and the fabric feels soft and silky. Run your hand up a cut of velvet the ‘wrong’ way, and your hand meets with resistance, crushes the nap, and causes the fabric to apparently change color.”

While Dellatore’s information on different upholstery fabrics is helpful, it is not the best thing about this gorgeous book. Hundreds of stunning photos illustrate how different fabrics can dramatically change the look of a single piece of furniture. Dellatore demonstrates how to successfully use any variety of patterns, from plaids and stripes to florals and paisleys. I think it is particularly helpful in visualizing the effect of prints in different sizes.

        

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