TOP TIPS FOR MEASURING HOW MUCH FABRIC YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHAIR...
I'm going to give you some pointers for measuring your furniture, in case you would like to give them to your upholsterer or if you would like to use for your own project. It sounds simple but by knowing a few simple steps it can help measure your project will be more accurate in how much fabric you need which could save you a lot of money (depending how lovely (expensive) your fabric is!!)
HOW MUCH FABRIC DO I NEED FOR THIS UPHOLSTERY PROJECT?
You are a sum of your parts.... I would recommend starting with a list. Sit down with your project in front of you and do a rough sketch, then name each piece of your project.
I sketch out a rough line drawing of my project and name each piece, and how many of the pieces there are, almost imagine a tailor taking your measurements. One thing thats key hear is to remember to record the lengths and widths in the same way. Fabric has a direction and unless you purposely decide it you will want your project to be cut all the same. I would make a table similar to below, so i can see clearly how big each piece is (measure at its widest point). If you measure seam to seam, remember you will need to add on either seam allowance or pulling allowance. Drawing these details on a photos also a great an easy way to do it. Ooo and make sure you say if its cm or inches!!!
How many? | LENGTH ^ | WIDTH > | |
BACK (B) | 1 | ||
SEAT (S) | 1 | ||
INSIDE ARM (IA) | 2 | ||
OUTSIDE ARM (OA) | 2 | ||
OUTSIDE BACK (OB) | 1 |
CUTTING PLAN- HOW TO USE THIS TO WORK OUT HOW MUCH FABRIC YOU NEED.
So feel free to run away now! If you are passing this on to an upholsterer you have done more than enough. If you are doing the project yourself a cutting plan is super helpful and your future self will thank you if the now self may not!!
You may want to strip the chair a-bit depending on how its constructed, to see where things are getting tacked off to, but if not you need to remember these numbers, for example the edge of the seat will not just need a seam allowance but it will need to be able to go down to the bottom rail. Add all the extras you need, seam allowance's where needed pulling allowances etc. make sure all of these are clear on your table.
Now its kind of like a game of tetris, find out how wide your fabric is, and start drawing out... I have been trying to find a pretty cutting plan but to be honest all of mine are messy as i will quickly draw them out in different ways trying different combos to see how I can make the most of the fabric with the least waste, but hears a bit of an example.
Hope this is helpful for figuring out how much fabric you may need for your next project!!
If your local to me and need some upholstery doing in North London do give me a shout, I'm a small upholstery studio based in Wood Green N22.