What Shape is Your Seat In?

Upholstery. Spring is the time to look around with fresh eyes. When was the last time you thought about changing it up? A new, well made chair can cost upwards of 800.00, if you get a good deal. To re-upholster a chair can be under 100.00 for the materials. 3-4 yards of fabric, depending on the size of the chair, a staple gun and you are off to the races. Remember, upholstery fabric at Maryjos.com can be as low as 8.98 per yard and usually no higher than 18.98. Typically the average price is about 14.98 per yard. A steal, when you consider how much the same fabric can be at a chain Home Upholstery fabric store.

Don't know the first thing about upholstery? No worries. It really can be as easy as 1, 2, 3! How? You have several options. The first, log onto Google, search "re-upholstering a chair", or couch. The first items that pop up are how to videos on YouTube. I love this way of learning. The things you can learn in a how-to video are endless.The second is the DIY online network. They are another terrific resource, for all kinds of projects. From faux finishes to garden tips. Thirdly there are countless blog entries form folks all over the world who proudly share with their readers how they re-upholstered a chair or sofa, usually with lots of how-to photographs, tips and their sources. The Internet is an easy way to get acquainted with the process, supplies and the level of skill required.
If you would rather learn in a classrooom/workshop setting there are several "Schools" that specialize in Upholstery. You may be able to take a continuing education class at a local college. In Charlotte, North Carolina,we are lucky, very near our store is a "Custom Home Furnishings" Academy! Imagine an entire school devoted to the Home Furnishings trade. Here is what they have to say about their special spot in the world of Home Decor...

"The Custom Home Furnishings Academy is the premier destination for hands-on learning. The state-of-the-art facility includes classrooms outfitted with professional workroom equipment, industrial sewing machines and a design studio. The instructors are experts in their field, dedicated to empowering students with the professional skills necessary to enter and thrive in the custom home-decor industry. Courses offered include window treatment and slipcover fabrication, upholstery, drapery installation, home staging and redesign. Whether you are a beginner at the sewing machine, or experienced in the workroom, you will find classes that fit your schedule and interests. Tuition includes fabrics, trims, workroom supplies, lunch and instruction manuals. You will leave the Custom Home Furnishings Academy with new skills, great resources and a network of supportive colleagues."

Think about the possibilities... Now let's take a minute and peruse some of the cool, modern, retro and colorful fabric selections Mary Jo's Cloth Store has, just waiting for your vision and your magic touch. On the website, click on fabric, then upholstery, then click on the different options for Patterns, Colors and Themes. Some of my stand-by favorite are, Flowers and Leaves, Stripes, Paisleys & Abstracts. Some designs are modern, others are traditional in style but all are heavy duty and designed for everyday wear and tear. Beauty matters but when you add in some practicality, perfection has been achieved. Of course there are many other categories to choose from, so block out some time and get inspired! It is always fun to dream and shop online!Enjoy the swatches we have put together for this article. They are all available online. It is fun to mix it up and use a few complimentary fabrics for different pieces of furniture, table runners and drapes. Have some fun and send us some photos of your work. We would love to feature you on a future blog.