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A Basic Primer on Upholstery Tools
Upholstery Tacks: Used to be used full time to install
fabric where now we have staples. Tacks can certainly be
used for this purpose still especially when wanting to keep
the integrity of an antique piece. These come in a lot of
different sizes. Whatever size is comfortable and best for
your project. Normally # 6 and up. They are sold by the
pound. They are used to situate and hold fabric in place
before stapling. Tacks can be held in the mouth but only
if they are new out of the box. Never put used tacks in
your mouth. You will find the box says “sterilized” and
there is a reason for this. To do this, simply place the
magnetized end of your tack hammer in the box of new tacks
and pull out the tacks that are on the hammer. Place in
mouth off the end of hammer and situate in pouch between
your cheek and gum. Do only a few if you are new at this
and get used to it as you go. It is a major time saver.
Tack Hammers: Several models exist. Normally brass and
double headed, used for tacking fabric into place before
stapling. My favorite is the type has one head that holds
a nylon tip for decorative tacks ( so they don’t get
scratched) and the other head is magnetic for picking up
tacks one handed or taking them out of your mouth with one
hand. Of course, you can have more than style in your
tool box.
Staple Pullers: There are all sorts of these puppies out
there. Whichever one you like best will be based purely on
your own comfort level. I suggest at least one “lifter”
and one staple knocker. A lifter has a small sharp claw at
the end that allows you to get under the staple and twist
to the side and levers the staple out. The knocker has a
claw with a broader base and is also great for removing
skirts and metal tack strip. I was taught to use a pair
of diagonal cutters. Grind down the back so its flat and
the tip is sharp, press in to grab staple and lift out all
in one motion. This takes a bit of practice and I must
admit it took me a while to get it but it was well worth
it. If you have aspirations of being a professinal
upholsterer, it can be a real time saver.
Regulators: AQlso called ice picks. This tool is for
adjusting the stuffing. On occasion you will have to move
things around a little after it is covered with fabric ans
these will do it. I also use upholstery skewers for this
purpose. Always test your fabric by poking a hole in a
scrap piecs before jamming it in the piece of furniture.
Some Fabrics will “heal” and some won’t.
Scissors: Pretty self explanatory, although I will mention
that it is important to keep them as sharp as possible at
all times. Some people prefer electric. I do not but to
each their own. Keep at least a large pair and a small
pair. Bent handles are best.
Klinch -it Tool and Clips: This odd looking thing is used
for attaching coil springs to webbing at the base of a
chair. Place your spring on the webbing and from the
inside of chair, press head of tool over wire of spring and
squeeze handle. The tool will attach clip through web and
secure spring. Unless you plan to do a lot of old pieces
from the webbing up or are a profewssional upholsterer, you
can do it the old fashioned way by tying the springs to the
webbing. Klinch its are expensive and so are the clips and
unless you get your money’s worth from it, don’t buy one. A
word of caution on clips: The prongs are very sharp and it
is not advisable to run your hand along the bottom of chair
base where these are present. They are super sharp and
will tear your hand up.
Webbing Stretchers: Get the ones with the handle if you
plan to do a bit of upholstery over time, otherwise get the
less expensive type if you are a do it yourselfer. These
have a rubber tip for placing against the wood frame and
long sharp barbs for hooking into the webbing. If you need
further instruction on what to do here, Contact me and I
will help you with it.
Needles: Pretty self explanatory but I wanted to mention
to have all kinds of them in a large variety of sizes.
From round to straight, you will use them all. There are a
couple of specialty types like the square point for tufting
and the extra long (12” straight) for odd things but these
are a must.
See photos of these tools at www.creativethreadarts.com
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Creative Thread Arts & Upholstery, LLC 5725 East Hoxie Rd. Cedar MI 49621
Phone (231) 929 - 3690
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