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UPHOLSTERY TIPS NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 3 “Applying Gimp”
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Hi,
A
few weeks ago someone brought in an antique bench. It had a
small amount of padding at top of the back and the
seat was padded, but no springs in the seat. Gimp trim covered the tacks where the fabric was attached to the show wood. Don't know
the age of this piece. But, you knew it definitely was an
antique by the style and dark color of the show wood.
Some
of the joints were loose. The owners wanted the joints
re-glued, but they did not want the wood refinished. So, we sent
it out to be re-glued after removing the old materials and
paddings.
If
you have ever watched the Antiques Road Show, you have probably noticed, from time to time, the appraiser telling the
owner of an antique piece with show wood that it would have
had a greater value if they had not refinished the
wood.
This
is something that you might want to consider if you have
an antique piece that needs reupholstering. We have heard somewhere that restoring the upholstery does not decrease the value of antique piece the same way that refinishing decreases the value.
We
have not been able to confirm this. If anyone knows the answer, please email us at
Editor@HowToUpholster.com
When
the antique bench was returned from being re-glued, we webbed the seat with jute webbing and covered the webbing
with
burlap. We re-used the hair base (because it was in good
shape) which gave the seat just the right contour. We
covered the
hair with a layer of cotton, then applied the fabric. Next,
we trimmed off the excess fabric by the tacks and attached
gimp trim
over the tacks and the raw edge of the fabric.
The
top of the back was a bit simpler, but the same basic
principles.
Whenever you have show wood on a piece of furniture, you
will need
to apply trim to cover visible staples or tacks and the raw
edges of the fabric after you trim the excess fabric away.
Your
usual choices of trim are gimp or double welt. Gimp is a
1/2" wide straight, flat braid trim; and is sold by the
yard.
Double Welt is made by the upholsterer out of fabric, using a
special welt foot on his sewing machine.
Years ago gimp was applied with gimp tacks. Gimp tacks are
small tacks with tiny heads. When they are tacked into the
gimp, their tiny heads are buried in the gimp.
Today, gimp or double welt are attached with hot melt glue. You
will be attaching the trim, where needed, over the raw
edges of trimmed fabric and the staples or tacks that are
holding the fabric to the show wood frame.
Put
down a narrow bead of glue for approximately 6", press
your
gimp or double welt in place. Then, do the same
thing to the next few inches, keep repeating these steps
until you have finished. At the beginning and ending of the
gimp
you are applying, turn the edges under to conceal the raw
edges of the gimp.
If
your beads of glue are too large, they can bleed through the
gimp or ooze out the sides.
Probably, would be a good idea to practice on scraps of
fabric if you are not familiar with using a hot melt glue
gun.
If
you have any questions about this technique or other
techniques, just email us at
Editor@HowToUpholster.com and we will try to help.
If
you have questions about any other upholstery techniques,
you
can contact us with your questions or comments at Editor@HowToUpholster.com
Betty and Richard Hanson
Hanson Upholstery
www.HowToUpholster.com
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