The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-09-17
HOW TO FIX UP
THE FURNITURE
Tells How Renovating
Furniture Yourself Can
Save Money.
FOR MAKING REPAIRS

If the yearly budget does not allow
for the services of professional up
holsterer the ingenious woman, who
can use hammer, screwdriver and
needle, can make her own furniture
repairs and renovations, and an article
in Peoples Home Journal for Septem-
Der tells just how it is done.
Small repairs are easily accom-
plished and forcibly illustrate the old
saying, A stitch in time saves nine,
therefore it is economical of time,
money and energy to examine up
holsted furniture occasionally, pry
under the seats of chairs and sofas,
watch the braid that finishes the up
holstery and make needed repairs at
once
If the springs are breaking through
the bottom covering of chair, and
the webbing that holds them in place
has loosened, retack the webbing in
place, pushing the springs back to
their original position. When the un-
dercovering is torn, replace it by
new, strong piece of cloth. The favor
tie chair of heavy man may need
this sort of repairing at frequent in
tervals.
Equipment Needed.
The equipment needed for success
full work will be: an easily-handled
hammer; screwdriver; tack drawer;
large pair of scissors; upholstery
needles (curved ones can be bought at
any store carrying upholstery mater
ials) tacks of two sizes, No. or 10
and No. IL Chose commercially known
as cut tacks of two sizes, No. l and
3; a ball of linen Irvine and another
of heavier Irvine. The Irvine does not
come by number and must be chosen
fine enough to use with the upholstery
needle and the heavier Irvine must be
strong enough to bind the springs in
place. Upholstery webbing four
inches wide, enough to go under and
over the springs and stuffing of hair,
excelsior or wool waste, are needed.
With this complete equipment and
tool, work can begin.
How To Make Repairs.
Rip off the cover and take the chair
or lounge to pieces-that is, take it
enough apart to get at the springs
and their fastenings.. In some pieces
of furniture the seat frame lifts away
from the legs and their frame, or the
back unscrews. The construction be-
comes clear after the cover and stuff
ing have been, taken off. 1t is well to
do this rather dusty work in room
that can be used as a workroom for
the length of time needed to complete
the renovation
As the old covers, stuffing, webbing
and springs are removed observe the
construction and the way they are
placed This helps in rebuilding. If
the stuffing is of hair it can be pulled
out, cleaned and used again. Pull out
the tacks fastening the old webbing;
arrange the springs in their proper
positions and fasten with the stronger
Irvine. An assistant will be of use at
this stage of the work to hold the
springs in place while they are being
tied and til end of the Irvine fastened
with tacks. When this is done the
new webbing is stretched and tackled
in place, Fold the ends of the webbing
to prevent its pulling out and fasten
through the folded ends with long
carpet tacks. To this webbing tie the
springs with soft strong cord.
The curved upholstery needle will
assist in this part of the work as
with it the cord can be stitched
through the webbing around the
springs to hold them securely. The
webbing is the foundation for the
springs, it is therefore important that
it be we'll fastened to the frame of the
chair or sofa and that the springs are
fastened securely to the webbing. The
tying and sewing of the springs to the
webbing require some ingenuity and
care, but are not too difficult for the
careful worker. Give several extra
wrappings of Irvine and knots to make
things doubly sure. When the webbing
and springs are secured they are COW
cred before the stuffing goes on.