Comments on: How do I go about finding a seamstress to re-cover cushions?

Question: How do I go about finding a seamstress to re-cover cushions?

maxreax — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:13:23 -0800

How can I find a seamstress to do some moderately difficult work, specifically re-covering foam cushions with provided fabric, and is this the best way to go about doing the job?

We found some great old mid-century furniture on Craigslist (an armchair and a daybed), but the cushions need re-covering.

As is pretty standard with mid-century/Danish modern furniture, all the cushions are removable foam, so re-covering them would barely count as "reupholstery" as I understand it -- more like a heavy-duty sewing job, especially since we'd like to pick out and use our own upholstery fabric.

We've gotten some quotes from upholstery businesses (in NYC, where we live) and they're saying around $300 labor for the armchair and more for the daybed.

It seems to me that it'd be cheaper to find an independent seamstress or tailor to do this work (let me know if I'm wrong!), but since this is about as far away from my area of expertise as possible I don't know where to begin.

How can I find a capable seamstress to re-cover some foam cushions for me?

By: euphoria066

euphoria066 — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:20:50 -0800

I would venture back onto craigslist for this, you could also make an alchemy request in etsy and request someone local.

By: Ruthless Bunny

Ruthless Bunny — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:29:42 -0800

My sister does decorating/painting/seamstress work, and depending on the complexity of the job $300 seems really fair to have it done right, with rolled seams, etc.

I'd rather use a professional, who will guarantee work, than someone from Craigslist who will take all your things away, and....

I dunno, some things are worth it.

By: DarlingBri

DarlingBri — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:35:44 -0800

There is no more Etsy Alchemy. There are people offering custom slipcovers, though, so I'd consider one of those. Plow through the listings and find someone with good reviews.

You don't need someone local, by the way. You can take very careful measurements of your cushions and give them to the seamstress. She'll tell you how much yardage you need. You then mail her the yardage and she'll mail you back the slipcovers. You pay all postage.

FWIW, the upholstery guys in the shop around the corner from me would totally be able to do this, too, and I'd certainly get quotes.

By: The Elusive Architeuthis

The Elusive Architeuthis — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:44:13 -0800

I know a great and cheap upholstery guy in Harlem if that's at all convenient to you. Memail me if you want his details.

By: mskyle

mskyle — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:07:33 -0800

You might not even have to do the measurements, you might be able to just send them the old covers and have them make measurements from that.

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:34:14 -0800

> they're saying around $300 labor for the armchair

That sounds reasonable. I had some cushions made recently and paid $25 an hour for labor, as I recall -- and that was a friend-of-a-friend working out of her house in Seattle, not a professional in NYC.

By: larthegreat

larthegreat — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:13:48 -0800

I've made cushions for a midcentury couch myself, and honestly, $300 is reasonable given the labor involved, particulalry if piping is involved. (Getting piping to be even and look good/making the piping yourself to match the cover precisely is a bitch and a half.)

Because midcentury furniture relies on clean lines, you really need precise work to make it look good. I think you may be able to get it done for $200-250, but probably not less.

By: ohshenandoah

ohshenandoah — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:31:32 -0800

Upholstery fabric is heavy, and requires a more powerful sewing machine. Normal seamstresses might not necessarily have the "monster truck" sewing machine. Also, Upholstery is a different kind of sewing skill-- square corners and straight seams.

altogether-- stick with a professional in the field. Hopefully you'll get several decades of usage from the cushions.