Upholstery 10, 20, 30: Curriculum Guidelines

Module 12: Covering (Optional)

Suggested time: 10-20 hours
Level: Introductory
Prerequisite: Modules 2, 3, 7 and 8

Foundational Objectives

To develop skills and the safe use of equipment and materials common to the upholstery industry.
To develop workplace skills, knowledge, and attitudes that may lead to successful employment.
To develop independent decision-making skills pertaining to the upholstery industry.

Common Essential Learnings Foundational Objectives

To strengthen ability to apply numeracy in upholstery industry. (NUM)
To provide opportunities for active involvement in the use of technology as a learning tool. (TL)
To experience a wide variety of activities to determine interests, abilities, and preferences. (IL)

	Learning Objective	Notes
12.1	To lay out the pattern on new fabric using pieces stripped from the furniture item. (CCT)	Examine and lay out the old pattern on the back side of the new material. Move the pattern pieces around until the least amount of new material as possible is used. Attention must be given to apply guidelines for lay out of fabrics that have nap, one-way design, or motif.
12.2	To cut stretchers.	The stretchers are old scrap materials that must be sewn onto the new pattern fabric piece and used for stapling to the frame.
12.3	To mark and cut upholstery fabric. (NUM)	Use chalk, tailors chalk or soap to mark all fabric. This will not leave any smudges or marks that will bleed through the new fabric. Make sure each piece is labeled as to where it fits on the furniture.
12.4	To sew a single welt to the covering. (TL)	The students should cut a couple of strips for welt, sew together, sew the welt and then sew to the covering. If using an upholstery sewing machine, use a single welt foot. If using a home sewing machine, use a combination foot or a zipper foot.
12.5	To pin tack the material in place. (IL)	When all pieces are sewn, pin tack them to the piece of furniture to ensure fit. Confirm that all stretchers are the right length and ready to be stretched and attached.
12.6	To perform blind tacking. (TL)	Fold over the material at the back/arm/front with the right sides together with the back showing. Use a cardboard tack strip and tack in place. The tack strip must be straight and should be attached about 19 mm (0.75 inch) apart. Fold over the material then stretch and staple.
12.7	To provide fitting around and into corners.	If no shop project is available, make a small box with a block in the corner and fit it to the corner. Lay out the fabric on the piece to the post. Cut the fabric on the diagonal to the area within 25 mm (1 inch) of the post. Cut the remainder in a "y" cut to the post. Fold the fabric under at the post. Stretch and pull tight, then tack or staple under the edge.
12.8	To attach the inside arm.	When placing the fabric on the arm, ensure that the fabric hand/nap is going in the same direction. Staple or tack the arm to the top then stretch the fabric through the piece at the side between the seat and the arm. Stretch and then staple or tack the stretcher to the seat rail.
12.9	To attach the inside back.	If no shop project is available, have the students blind tack some fabric to a small square piece of plywood in the correct way for an inside back. When placing the fabric on the back make sure that the fabric hand or nap is all going in the same direction. Staple or tack to the back then stretch the fabric through the piece at the side between the seat and the back, stretch and then staple or tack the stretcher to the seat rail.
12.10	To attach the seat.	If no shop project is available, have the students blind tack some fabric to a small square piece of plywood in the correct way for a seat. Place the seat cover on the seat. Staple or tack the front, then pull the stretchers under the back and the seat rail and staple or tack to the back. Pull the stretchers under the sides and tack or staple in place. Ensure that there are no ripples in the fabric.
12.11	To attach the outside arm.	If no shop project is available, have the students blind tack some fabric to a small square piece of plywood in the correct way for an outside arm. Place the arm fabric on the arm, right side to right side, then use tack strip to attach to the outside arm. Fold the fabric over, stretch to the bottom rail and tack or staple to the underside.
12.12	To attach the outside back.	If no shop project is available, have the students blind tack some fabric to a small square piece of plywood in the correct way for an outside back. Place the fabric on the back, right side to right side, then use tack strip to attach to the outside back. Fold the fabric over, stretch to the bottom rail and tack or staple to the underside.
12.13	To attach front arm panels. (IL)	Wrap the fabric around the panel. Tack or staple to the back of the panel. Attach to the arm.