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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Furniture upholstery anyone?  |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 10:38:37 AM
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I'm thinking (very abstractly) about starting a furniture upholstery business to do over the winter in the off season. Does anyone do upholstery on the side or otherwise? How do you price your services? How do you advertise? Any and all information would be appreciated.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 10:50:37 AM
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Hey...I was thinking of the same thing so I am interested too! I have gotten the books recommended in MJ's book and I have some tools since I took a class years ago and reupholstered my couch and chair back then. I would need a heavy duty sewing machine and air compressor for the staple gun. I want to practice on my own pieces first to get the kinks out and then hang up my shingle. I definitely would NOT charge by the hour since I tend to take my time and want to do things right and not be too rushed and then do THEY buy the material or do you? Are you going to do slipcovers too or just upholstery? Let's stay in touch! And I will definitely subscribe to this post!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 11:11:34 AM
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Oh Sandra, it would be so great to go through this process with someone else! I'm in the same boat as you...I've taken a class, but need a bit more 'practice', I have the air compressor and staple gun, bought some books...but don't have a heavy duty sewing machine. I was thinking about refurbishing my Grandma's treadle and using it, too crazy? Hadn't even considered slipcovers...they seem like more work than a straight re-upohlster, but maybe. Definately stay in touch!
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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Edited by - clux64 on Nov 11 2008 4:31:02 PM |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 12:28:27 PM
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Great idea Bonne! Celeste...can I ask what kind of staple gun and compressor you got? It's been so long I can't remember what size you need.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 12:56:52 PM
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They only thing I found was when my friend and renter was in the buisness she had a hard time with the fact that an reupholsterd chair cost just as much as new chair. With fabric cost and foam rubber costs on the rise and shipping she got out of it if you live in a larger city where you could go and purchase your materials it might be a easier go. Fabrics are usually purchased by the customer up front be very careful what they pick as some will work up easier than others. getting sample books was a real pain too.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 4:48:51 PM
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Bonne...Craigslist is a good idea. In my case it actually may produce more business than I'm looking for. There used to be an upholsterer in our small town who passed away several years ago, so there's kind of a spot for such a service here. Plus, my neighbor down the road about a mile sells and refinishes antique furniture--but no upholstering, so we might be able to work something out together I'm thinking. Diana, you are right about the cost. If you go crazy with fabric, the cost could be more than new...however in an antique it could be worth it. Sandra, my hubby has one of those small, pancake air compressors (2horse, 6gal, 40PSI) and I bought a bostich pneumatic staple gun because it was the only one Lowes carried! We use that gun for all kinds of stuff, but for upholstery I picked up some 16mm staples because they pretty much matched the size of the staples I took out of the thing I was covering. You know, Craigslist might be a good place to find those kind of tools...hmmmmmm.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 5:32:47 PM
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Thanks Celeste....I have been maening to get out on Craigslist here too and that may be just the trigger to get me there! I have some furniture to sell on there also. thanks for the specifics on the stapler and compressor too! I just got a booth at the local flea market so I'm busy with that oo...hopefully it will all bring "multiple streams of income"!
Stay in touch and let me know how you're doing!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Furniture upholstery anyone? |
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Furniture upholstery anyone?
