Specifying Fabrics

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Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 43 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 03:51 pm:    How do you handle specifications of fabrics for seat cushions etc? I have a project where we are re-upholstering Church Pews, including new cushions and I'm not sure how to approach this. Thanks! Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 340 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 04:01 pm:    Based solely on the fact that I sew and have sewn stuff like this, I think you'd want to specify fiber content, matching of whatever pattern is there (if there is one) across and around the cushion and from cushion to cushion, direction of grain. I'd also check with an interior designer who specifies furniture for help. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 365 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 04:06 pm:    Might find some information on a web site for church furniture manufacturer-- would seem to have an array of material/fabrics, and may have a spec for seat cushions/upholstering. Check upholstering shops in your area, for at least overall information. Doug Brinley AIA CSI CDT CCS Senior Member Username: dbrinley Post Number: 203 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 04:10 pm:    I recommend consulting with an upholsterer in the area of the project. Some shops really know their stuff, and can alert you to terminology, detail and seemingly fussy items that the owner may not completely appreciate. In our Seattle area, there seem to be two types of shop - the high end furniture restoration 'mom and pops' (usually located in residential neighborhoods) and the marine industry shops (scattered all over). Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 341 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 04:22 pm:    Try here: http://www.thetextileguide.com/home.html Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 330 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 05:58 pm:    I specify fabric all the time, and its not a generic thing. Generally the interior designers of the firm pick out one, (or two or three) fabrics that they will find acceptable for the project. Consult with the fabric supplier to determine if your intended use is suitable for their fabric. You can't just "pick one". Once you have the fabric selected, simply specify it that way. Church pews (and other bench seating in public areas) will require a fabric that is rub-resistant, will not pill, is stain resistant, and in a public area, you will want something that has been treated for both smoke and fire. In addition, the cushion material (ie, the foam) should be in a density that is solid enough to support the clientele. the cushion fabricator sometimes will be experienced enough to recommend a foam density or combination of densities. the seaming on this type of installation will be critical to how well it lasts. If you have the option to see previous installations by the supplier, do that. not everyone can do this type of work successfully. some things to watch out for if you are viewing an installation: does the foam retain its shape after being sat upon for an hour or two? Does the fabric adhere to the foam, or will you need a slip sheet? if the foam "squishes" and the fabric does not, it will either stretch the fabric in that spot, or tear it or cause thinning. How are the seams holding up? I would not recommend corded seams because they show disproportionate wear, especially on the front edge. you will probably want to have the front edges wrapped in a higher density foam. In addition, you might want to consider having the cushions reversible for the obvious reason: you get more wear. If there are areas that get more wear than others, get additional fabric that can be made into replacement pieces. I know that many churches rely on as much volunteer work as possible, but unless you have a "real" upholsterer volunteering material and labor OR you are willing to replace these regularly, this really is a job for a professional. there are tons of church furnishings suppliers on the internet, and they would be a good resource for this. Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 44 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 06:27 pm:    Thanks for all the input. The architect (my client) has already selected a fabric, I am trying to figure out how to spec the act of reupholstering - since I know nothing about this. This is being handled under the GC, so it should be bid by a professional Doug Brinley AIA CSI CDT CCS Senior Member Username: dbrinley Post Number: 205 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 06:31 pm:    Robin - I think Anne got it exactly right - the owner's fabric selection should be reviewed to determine that the entire package (fabric, foam, stitching, seams, flame spread, etc) comes together. Many of these installations simply fail. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 180 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 06:40 pm:    This is probably an area in which who does it is much more important than how it is done. A capable upholsterer will do a quality job without much direction. Maybe get a list of available "fabricators" in your area and specify it that way.