August 8, 2010

One Little Upholstery Tip

This is just one little upholstery tip I learned in an upholstery class many years ago.  I am calling it "DONOTAPULL!"





Before we start, if you have not already entered, go HERE for the drawing of the Vintage Framed Paper doll.  The drawing will be 9/1/2010


I was taking an upholstery class and the instructor had an accent.  I kept hearing her raising her voice to the other students "Donotapull".  When she got to me and said "Donatapull" I just stood back from the chair I was upholstering and that is when she grabbed the fabric.


"Donotapull"  Now I understood!


You all know the first step. Staple one side of your fabric.

 

 Now instead of pulling to make it tight.  


Apply pressure and smooth it tightly from the stapled side to the other side.










Now all the way round the edge and staple. 

 This gives you the tightest fit.  To see the difference, run your hand tightly and firmly over a chair or stool you have already recovered and you can see how tight it could could have been. 

Remember, Do not pull.


Apply pressure and smooth.

 This will give you the tightest and most professional look. 

 It will be much tighter than if you pulled and it will make sure that you do not have any uneven areas from pulling.

I took this $5.00 ugly duckling.  


Painted it white and added a barkcloth cover.




Now, repeat after me "Donotapull"

Happy Crafting!

Carol
I am linking up with Debbiedoos Garage Salen Party









50 comments:

Blessed Serendipity said...

The footstool is very cute after your makeover.

-Danielle

Connie said...

So this still gives a tight fit though, sweetpea? I've done several stools but pulled. Looks okay to me. Why is this better? Thanks!
xoxo,
Connie

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I have pulled for years...I'll try not to pull on the next project.
The bench looks fab!
Deb :)

Debbiedoos said...

I actually am pretty good at that...and I donotapull lol!!~ I agree with you on the comment thing...I do not even approve them anymore...I have not received any spam either. If it starts I will just add the moderation no word verification...such a waste of time peeps who are reading this!!~ Also I can't just reply to you when I receive a comment...I can to some but not yours...I wonder if you can change that in your settings? Have a great night! Debbie

Bring Pretty Back said...

I have never covered anything before but I just bought a little bench for 2 dollars and I will not pull!
Thank you!
Kristin

Anonymous said...

Very cute post!

Lemon Lane Studio said...

Great tip...I must admit I've always been a puller. Now I know, donotapull! Have a wonderful week, Patty

Jocelyne said...

Cute bench. Thanks for the tip, I've always pulled. Next time I'll try not pulling and see what the difference is. You can see my dining room chairs on my blog. (They were pulled!)

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Hello Carol~"Donotapull" very good advice! If you pull the fabric tight it really can distort the print.
What a beautiful transformation...with a French Country flair.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Unknown said...

Great Tip, thanks for the info! Have a sunny week! XOXO

Pink Princess said...

LOVE the bench, and I donotapull, lol. I covered my bench last week as well with a pink fake fur fabric and I love it too. Cute

the old white house said...

Hi Carol! Your little stool is so cute! Love that fabric! I haven't covered anything in quite a while but will heed your advice next time I do! Donotapull is my new mantra when recovering chairs or the like! Have a great week! Theresa

Pamela Kellogg said...

Hi Carol, thanks for the follow!! And thanks for the chair cover tips. I have an old chair that I'm going to paint and then recover.

You're entered in the drawing for my art quilt!!
Good luck!

Debbie said...

Love the way you tell the story, and I'll have "donotapull" in my head as I try a few projects which are on my fall "try it" list.

And I love your little upholstered footstool!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

LOL ... I willnotapull anymore ! I have always been a puller too. Who knew? Well, you did and I am happy you shared donotapull with us !!!

(())

La said...

I love the little stool. Hmm...I may need to start looking for one.

Have a wonderful day! La

Gina said...

Adorable footstool! I have never reupholstered anything, but if I do, you can bet I'll remember donotapull!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol,
Gorgeous stool redesign. You are so right about the pulling. I have covered many a chair seat, stool etc. and it does work beautifully. I had to learn this the hard way though. LOL

Thank you for sharing your donotapull experience and just love your gorgeous stool.
Also, thank you for stopping by today.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Nanette said...

Hi Carol, thanks for the tip. I have one of those stools. I have been wanting to recover it so i will follow your tip. But I want to know about is how to cover up the staples so it looks good on the insdie and also what to do pant it white. Mine is ugly brown right now. Do sand and prime then paint? thanks Nanette

Debbie Sews Retro said...

I'll admit it---I'm a puller, but from now on I will be a smoother. I love the stool--You did a great job on it.

Lucy - By the Hill said...

ok Carol, donotapull, LOL!!
Great tips you give here my dear........I haven't redone anything for years, but will remember that!
I had a guy come to my house and had about 5 gals with projects and he taught us in my basement. Waaaay back. Learned lots and had fun!
I did an Eastlake settee seat......re-sprung it and all!Oh those were the days!!

Annesphamily said...

I came by via Debbie Doo's! I have often wanted to stop by and thought I did. But I am still not showing as a follower. I hope you will stop by my blog soon. Hugs
It is awesome over here.

Anne

Debbiedoos said...

It will be perfect for the party Carol...see you then:)

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Carol, Your story is so funny... it really is hard not to pull :-) Your footstool turned out lovely!! Congartulations of the Romantic Homes feature... The dolls are darling :-)
I am glad to meet you in return and have joined you back :-)))

Olivia said...

Hello sweets! Love the darling stool! The lamp on my header I purchased covered. The only thing I did with it was paint the base white. (Sorry I do not have more information on that). Check youtube they might have an instructional video, try how to cover a Victorian lace lamp, or something around those lines. Good luck, let me know how it goes!
Hugs,
Olivia

kath@retromantic antiques said...

Good tip. I always pull....Hey and thanks for stopping by my blog. Iowa is pretty cute. The weather here has been miserable, but probably nothing compared to Florida. kath

Vijay said...

hi visiting and dropping on your blog..

so to be frank do u like my blog..if so follow and drop a comment ..if u dont like means just dont drop a comment ..

Vijay said...

hi visiting and dropping on your blog..

so to be frank do u like my blog..if so follow and drop a comment ..if u dont like means just dont drop a comment ..

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a fantastic redo project!! It looks lovely and the "Donotapull" brought such a smile to my face as I needed that after a busy and troublesome week!!


Debbie

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Ooooooo, so pretty! I wish I could sew!

Sue
xo

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hi Carol! Your little stool looks great after its makeover! I have not attempted to cover anything yet. I have a few items on my to do list and when I do them, I will remember Donotapull! Because I know I wouldapulled.

Thanks!

~ Tracy

Anonymous said...

Love the barkcloth. I covered many a little stool. Some were easy as pie and others...not so easy. I lost my computer this week due to one horrific storm and I missed all the parties and am late returning comments. The techie originally had told me it would be two weeks before I would see them. Boy!...did I panic! xox Lynn

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh what a great tip. I will remember to not pull. YOur stool looks fabulous. Great job.

Thanks also for your visit and your sweet birthday wishes. I really appreciate it. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

That is too funny. And a great tip. I've done that exact thing before and ended up having to start over!

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Beautiful transformation.I admit it, I have always pulled to try to get the fabric tight.Thanks for the tip!
Annette

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I have surge protection. It hit the little box outside my office door that is for the telephones.....fried it. When the telephones go the computer goes....DSL. That little box gives us problems all the time. The guy said it's 'cause the house if so close to the water. whatever! ugh! Off to treasure hunt this morning. And then to look at some new chickens. Hope you have a fantastic and fun weekend. xoxo

Olive said...

Thanks bunches for this tip. Love your header. Also thanks for visiting me. olive♥

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to cover my mother's stool when I decide what I'll use to cover it with...I would have pulled until I read your post!!!
I'm visiting from Debbiedoo's and I've also been a follower since June...love your blog♥

Rondell

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Carol!

Great tip! I have a couple of stools that need a redo so, I will be keeping "donotapull" in mind!

And I love the fabric choice you made with this cute stool!

Anonymous said...

Totally pretty and the mosaic tiles under it are pretty, too. O.k, I will notapull! Thanks for the tip ;)

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Haha! Fantastic! I love it!

Jen said...

Lol!
Great tip!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

I got it, I got it! Donotapull! Now that is going to be stuck in my head everytime I redo a cover. Atleast I'll be smiling when I think of it too! Your new footstool is darling. I love the fabric!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Soo cute! Thanks for the info!!! I know I am guilty of pulling the fabric! I'll try it the correct way next time!! I am getting ready to upholster some little swedish chairs so perfect timing on that one!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on my pot rack turned bed crown post! :)

Lori said...

Thanks for the comment. Yuk... I like to eat! should be Yum... I like to eat. haha I used the apull method, now I will try yours. Was the instructor Italian? Great footstool.

Anonymous said...

ok, I guess I have been pulling! This is a great post! Lots of fun! I LOVE YOUR BLOG! It's so creative and inspirational!

Hugs,
Patti

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Love it!

Aunt Peaches said...

EXCELLENT TIP!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

So, I will always and forever remember your tip: "DO NOTA PULL!" Thanks for a very informative session... by the way, love your stool.

Rose said...

LOL now every time I recover a chair I will think of that! That is so funny! and I love your stool to!!!!