Custom upholsterers make, or sometimes rebuild, an entire piece of furniture. They usually work in small shops where they cover custom or made-to-order furniture in materials, using standard patterns. They may help customers choose fabrics and styles. Some highly skilled custom upholsterers design and produce furniture according to customer specifications.
Some custom upholsterers may also create custom covers for vehicles or industrial equipment.
Production upholsterers work in factories. They most often specialize in one area of new furniture production. They work on an assembly line performing one function. They then pass the furniture on to others to finish.
Re-upholsterers recondition old furniture. In general, they:
- Remove the old cover and padding
- Examine the springing and, if required, replace it with webbing, coil springs, or sinuous springs
- Build the chair or sofa up with loose fibre stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding
- Shape and form the stuffing
- Measure and cut fabric to fit each part of the furniture
- Shape and mark fabric for sewing
- Sew fabric and cushions
- Fit the fabric to the furniture
- Staple or sew the fabric in place
Re-upholsterers also fix furniture by repairing split seams, replacing broken springs, and replacing foam in seat cushions.
Vehicle upholsterers cover or recondition vehicle components, such as seats, door panels, carpets, headliner, dashboard pads, and centre consoles. Types of vehicles include cars, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, jet skis, and boats.
Vehicle upholsterers may also work on car and boat canvas tops and covers.
