Terminology | www.furnitureupholstery.org

26. Terminology

As in any other craft or trade there are a number of words or phrases that are either outside normal language or perhaps known words that convey a completely different meaning. Many technical words and terms never find their way into the ordinary dictionary and unless ready reference is available it sometimes means that interest can be lost or a wrong interpretation put on a word that means lost time in study. In this chapter I have drawn up a list of such words.

Perhaps a recapitulation of the names and abbrevi­ations of the cover pieces of an average chair or suite would be as well to start off such a chapter. These names I shall keep together in a group regardless of alphabetical order. Most are self-explanatory.

These represent the majority of terms used in the up­holstery trade. Once again I must point out that this book is dealing purely with the part of the trade known as the 'Stuffers'. The soft furnishing and carpet departments also have their own particular terminology.

Item

Abbreviation and/or description

Seat

St.

Inside back

I.B.

Outside back

O.B.

Inside arm

LA.

Outside arm

O.A.

Border

Bdr. Can be in front or along top of back.

Facings

Fcgs. The front of the arm-rests.
Can also be on the sides of a back

Platform seat

PI. St. A Platform Seat is one that has a guttering and has a cushion

Black and White
Webbing Bos

  

Bridling

Cabriole
Buffed Flys

Buttoning

  

 

Gap
Best English webbing with herring­bone design.

Two methods used are 'Float' Buttoning and 'Deep' Buttoning. The former method leaves the button on the face of the cover, whilst the latter is pulled into the cover deeply and forms a pleated diamond.

A projection from the back of an upholstery
button. Made of cloth to enable a needle and
 twine to pass through.

Name given to a hammer with a small driving area. Used mainly on show-wood furniture.
A series of twine loops about six inches long which are put in canvases to carry the stuffing and keep it in position.

Pieces of hessian or any old material sewn on to the inside edges of the cover material to save material and give added strength for pulling cover in­to position. Known as 'Pull-throughs' in U.S.A.
The rubbing or buffing with car­borundum to obviate any blem­ishes that may be in hides.

Name used in describing the opening between the arm web and the back upright rail. Left free for passing through flys, etc., to be tacked against rail.

 
The insertion of upholstery but­tons. Two methods used are 'Float' Buttoning and 'Deep'  

 

Gauge

Applied to the thickness of the
steel wire in the manufacture of coil springs. See chapter 4.

 

Holding tie

A stitch between the spring canvas
and scrim. Keeps the first stuff­ing firmly in place. Also known as 'Through Stitch'.

Jackets

One or more parts joined together
to form a tailored finish, e.g. inside arm and facing.

Lacing

A term applied to the stringing
together of coil springs in which a 'laid' cord is used.

Linings

Pieces of old canvas tacked on to
the outsides before the outside covers are put on. Gives extra resistance to pressure, especially needed in the case of leather covering. Not to be confused with the outside covers proper, which are known as 'linings' in America.

Piping foot

An   attachment   for  the   sewing
machine to enable piped edges to be sewn on to joins

Pullthrough

Meaning the same as a Fly. An
American Term.

Rails Stretcher

A supporting rail on a settee or            divan base.

Tacking

The lighter rails for tacking foun-
dations and covers to.

Base

The main foundation rail at floor
level.

Rebated

Where a groove is put in the edge
of a rail, and the lower edge used for tacking, or where cable springing is fixed.

Regulating

The 'working about' of stuffing to
the required place for stitching, etc.

Ripping out

Procedure for stripping chairs for
repair

Scrim stuffing

Another term for the first stuffing enclosed in scrim or hessian.

Show-wood

Polished   wood   surrounding   to
stuffed or upholstered part of furniture, as with a dining-chair or occasional chair.

Skiving

The art of chamfering a piece of
hide in order to join together two pieces by gluing.

Spring edge

Mostly applies to the front edge of
chairs, but also to all edges where an independent springing is adopted.

Spring interior

The inside springing of a cushion or mattress.

Spring unit

A collection of springs to form
foundations for seats, arms and backs. Wired and clipped to­gether. See chapter 4.

Stitching

The stitching by twine of edges and rolls to form a shape to stuffing.

Straps

See chapter 11. Metal bands or webs upon which

Tack draws

spring units are mounted and fixed to the frame by clout nails.

Temporary tacks

The 'shadowed' furrow caused by the strain of a tack. Particularly on silk covers. Tacks only half driven in.

Tensile

Easily removed. Applies   to   rubber  webbing   or cable-springing.

Thumbroll

An alternative to a stitched edge.

Tufting

 Known as  a cordroll by the American upholsterer. Carried out on mattresses. Same
procedure as in buttoning.

Wire knots

 The finish of the metal coil on a spring.



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