Reviews (4)

upol.review
very informative, both books.The home book, was helpful in learning how to recover an armchair, and the auto book was helpful in seeing what I needed to do to mend a door panel with material.Very happy with the results.

FINALLY! A BOOK THAT'S MORE THAN I WANTED!!!!!!!
I ordered this book because I wanted the "baby steps" version of upholstery.I have several books on this subject, this is the only one that motivates me, knowing--yes I can do it!

Upholstery:A Beginner's Guide
I have glanced through the book. I am a self-taught upholsterer, with projects all around my home to do. I pretty much copy the existing pattern and method of upholstery as each project was originally put together. There have been challenges along the way with a few upholstered chairs. This book has color and detailed illustrations.I do own two other books by David James. I wish I had owned this book earlier. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Textile Arts - General    7. House & Home / Furniture    8. STUDY AIDS - SPARKCHARTS    9. Upholstery   

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House & Home / Furniture   

Reviews (12)

Nicely illustrated and clearly written
I find that the pictures in this book are very good and informative. The text is clear and covers basic definitions and techniques. I searched for several books on the topic and after purchasing this one I think it's the only one I will ever need.

Quick and concise, but incomplete
A book is good or bad depending on your expectations.This book concentrates mostly on how to do the covers of the sofas and seats, but it is incomplete in providing information about frames, springs and so on.Modern upholstery techniques are barely covered.I'm sorry to disagree with the rest of the reviewers, but I think that you need to know the other side of this book.

Exellent
This is a good book. I would advise anyone looking for a good book on Upholstery to try this one.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Sewing    6. Upholstered furniture    7. Upholstery    8. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (3)

Easy to follow!
This book is excellent! The author shows you step by step what you need to do to reupholster your piece of furniture. I used this book and was able to quickly learn what I needed to do to reupholster an old chair I own and looked like I bought a new chair from the store when I was finished. Since then, I have had family and friends asking me where I bought the "new chair!" I recommend this book to anyone wishing to do the same.

Full of VERY HELP information
Although a book could never substitute seeing first hand, how upholstery is done, this book provides very detailed information.The photos are dated, but the process of the work is not and very clearly explained.Definitely a good reference book to have for anyone learning upholstery who might need additional information.

An excellent starting point
This book is well written, concise, and easy to follow.It is especially good for first-timers as the authors take you through many steps most beginners do not consider. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Furniture    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Reference    7. Upholstery    8. Furniture & cabinetmaking    9. Home furnishing & decoration   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Brunschwig & fils    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    6. General    7. History    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Interior Design - General    10. Textile Arts - General    11. Textile fabrics    12. Textile fabrics in interior de    13. Textile fabrics in interior decoration    14. Art / Design / Textile & Costume    15. Interior design   

Reviews (1)

The Essential Guide to Upholstery
I received this book yesterday and cannot put it down.The pictures, drawings and advice are fantastic.I am very interested in upholstery projects for my home and am ready to move from a "beginning Intermediate" level to "Intermediate".This book is just what I needed for more guidance.I have an extensive collection of upholstery books, and except for "Simply Upholstery" and the "Singer Upholstery Basics" books, I have been mostly disappointed with the books I have received as they were not helpful or showed unrealistic projects.This book is like being in an upholstery class with a smart, interesting teacher.I hope Dorothy Gates writes more books on this subject.I would certainly buy it!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Furniture    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home   

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Machine Design    8. Needlework - Embroidery    9. Embroidery   

Reviews (3)

Excellent overview for the items you're most likely to make
I bought my first house six months ago. My house needs curtains, seat cushions, wall hangings. And I'm new to all of this; while I'm just-past-novice at sewing and quilting, I've never even paid attention to how one constructs a pillow.
Best Home Decor Sewing Book
This book is fantastic!It covers how-tos on all the basics!My experience with these kinds of books is that they'll show you how to make ruffled valances and rosette pillows, but never cover the basics, like how to make a cloth shade or a simple removable pillow case (ie. sans buttons and zippers which can intimidate the beginner). This book has it all, and also great hints for making the kinds of minor modifications that make a pillow/curtain truly "special."The best homedeco sewing book I've seen.

Very detailed instructions
Very helpful book, very informative and detailed instructions. You'll not regret getting it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Sewing    6. Needlework & fabric crafts    7. Soft furnishings   

Reviews (1)

Great book, with great photographs.
I have an old leather chesterfield couch that needs to be repaired in sections.I have no doubt that this is going to be a great help.The projects are all step by step with great color photographs.It also goes over all the tools needed.If my project turns out half as nice as the pictures I will be thrilled. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House & Home / Furniture    7. STUDY AIDS - Series Study Guides    8. Upholstery   

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Decorating - Windows    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home   

Reviews (1)

New Life for Old Fabric Pieces
I love old fabrics and now there's this book to give me ideas for my stash of 1930s tea towels, old lace and 1940's bridge cloths.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House furnishings    7. Household linens    8. Interior Design - General    9. Photography    10. Residential Interior Design    11. Textile Fabric (Applied Arts)    12. Textile fabrics in interior decoration    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. House furnishings    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Patterns    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (5)

Truly a Complete Course
I just received this book yesterday and already I have learned a great deal about re-upholstery. This book has made me very excited and confident that I can do a good job on my first project.As far as I can tell it covers just about every issue in concise and easy to understand language.I would give it a 5 star rating but for the darkness of some of the photos.However, there are an abundance of photos and if you read the instructions carefully then a few dark photos won't be much of a hinderance.If you are interested in learning about upholstery then this is the book and you can't beat the price for this much information.
This book is a disgrace!!!
I bought this book for christmas. I had hoped to improve my knowledge of upholstery through it, but I was dissappointed!. This book has only black and white MINI pictures!!. How in the world can one learn to upholster with black and white pictures. These pictures are so bad that they sometimes look just like a black patch? For me, buying this book was a big waste of money. An upholstery book with no good picture is not interesting to read and very very boring!!!

Russ
It is completely useless book. It has many old pictures that basically useless b/s given without sequence of steps, show the old type of fabric, has a lot of general information, that you wouldn't need if you want to learn upholstery. I am sure there are better books out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Upholstery    8. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    9. Architecture / Interior Design    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Home Furnishing    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. Sewing    10. Slip covers   

Reviews (2)

Great referenceon traditional techniques
Like the other book from the same author, this one is a great reference for traditional techniques.It provides a clear insight on how to do very high quality upholstery.It may not be the reference you need on practical and modern techniques required in today's workshops to compete.It is a great reference anyway.

An interesting and informative survey of the art of upholste
If you're looking for a step-by-step guide or a source-book, lookelsewhere.This book is a general introduction to the history ofupholstery, with general descriptions of traditional and modern upholsterytechniques, of more value to those considering upholstering as a vocationor to the serious hobbyist than to the casual do-it-yourselfer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Furniture    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Upholstery    7. BG-HUMOR/GAMES - BG-GAMES/PUZZLES    8. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (1)

Window Treatments & Slipcovers For Dummies
I bought this book on the strength of Mark Montano's work on While You Were Out and it's fantastic! So many adorable projects, and most of them are super easy and you don't even have to know how to sew well. You can use glue guns or safety pins and still get a really nice, professional look.
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Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Decorating - Windows    5. Draperies    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Slip covers    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

If you're serious about learning to upholster like a pro, you can learn quite a lot from Heather Luke's extremely comprehensive guide. Step by step, Luke takes us from the raw beginnings (the stripped-down wooden framework) through the inner workings (webbing, springs, horsehair, and batting) to the selection, handling, cutting, and attachment of fabric, as well as the elegant finishing details. She reupholsters chairs, stools, headboards, cushions, dressing tables, screens, even glorious tented ceilings, all with thorough directions supported by clear color photos. Despite the excellence of this volume, however, it is not for the faint of heart: although there are chapters with easier projects like slipcovers and fabric-lined baskets and boxes, this is mostly a guide for the dedicated upholsterer-in-training. But since hiring a professional reupholsterer gets pretty costly, can take weeks of lead-time, and may not result in exactly the look you want, perhaps it makes sense to try it yourself. And for dedicated students of upholstery arts, this is a fantastic resource--one they shouldn't do without. Read more

Reviews (3)

Not for a beginner...
This book is beautiful and has good basic information, but after taking a beginner upholstery class, I realized that this book is a bit outdated. While it tells the reader to use a tack hammer and tacks, my teacher showed me how to use a staple gun! Much faster and easier to handle. Also, foam and dacron are much easier than horsehair and some of the materials listed in the book.

A Great Springboard!
This is the only upholstery book I own - and with it, I have upholstered every piece of furniture in my house! The author has instructions for all of the basics of upholstery while focused on specific projects.She has 4or 5 types of dining chairs, 4 or 5 types of arm chairs, ottomans, sofas,slipcovers, all kinds of furniture - even headboards! All with greatstep-by-step color photos. Extremely disappointed!
Step by Step?Only if you know how to figure out things in between the spartan instructions and supposed step by step pictures!There isn't enough information for a beginner and nothing new to advance anintermediate.There's SOME good information on fabric types, supplies,etc. and color coordination, but even that is mainly limited to thecontemporary "shabby chic" or "French apartment" look. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Textile Arts - General   

Reviews (1)

Better books out there but this has lots of photos
I've read a lot of decor books about color. I consider this book barely average. This book is filled with photos of rooms with color swatches used in the room. I often found myself trying to find the color of the swatch in the room. Many times I was not successful.For example, on page 116,the bottom left photo has a lilac color swatch but I did not see any lilac in the room. The sofa, the focal point in the room is a salmon color. There is no salmon color in the swatch.
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Subjects:  1. Color decoration and ornament    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    5. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

Excellent book if you are looking for inspiration to begin a home sewing project
A sewing novice writes this review.Thus far my sewing has been limited to home decorating.I have made curtains, roman blinds, duvets, and most recently slipcovers.I purchased this book to get additional ideas for projects around my house and was not disappointed.This book is great at supplying decorating inspiration.
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Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Textile Arts - General    7. Textile fabrics in interior de    8. Textile fabrics in interior decoration   

Editorial Review

"Slipcovers are to furniture what clothing is to the body," declares this creative, common-sense guide. "They camouflage, dress up or down, give character, and convey style." They can transform an ordinary item into something exciting that helps make a room work. Less pricey than new furniture or reupholstery, they can nevertheless be somewhat costly when custom-made--unless you learn to make them yourself. Read more

Reviews (11)

Simply Slipcovers
I have been studying this book and plan to begin my slipcover project just as soon as I find my perfect fabric.This book is of great encouragement to me and I believe I will be successful on even my first attempt at slipcovers.Sandra R.
Simply Slipcovers
Very interesting book - can't wait to see if it's as straight forward as it appears. The directions are clear and encouraging. Some of the covers are really beautiful. Great value for money and the fabric calculator is very helpful.

Behold! A beautiful informative book!
As both a novice seamstress and an avid thrift store/ antique mall/ flea market shopper, I needed to learn to make a slipcover. After reading the reviews, I bought this book - and it's been amazing. The instructions are clear, and my confidence (and competence) has grown immensely. I've been slipcovering everything that will stand still long enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Sewing    5. Slip covers    6. Upholstery    7. Needlework & fabric crafts