A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery with Michael Mascelli

By Mike Mascelli Feb 07, 2018

Upholstery might seem intimidating at first, but making a comfortable seat cushion is well within the skillset of any woodworker. In this video series, upholsterer Michael Mascelli takes you through the process of upholstering the drop in seat cushion frame for Mike Pekovich’s Craftsman rocker.

You’ll learn how to:

Assemble a simple yet effective set of basic tools for upholstery
Create a sprung foundation with zigger springs
Build up a base of various foam and Dacron layers to get the right shape and comfort
Top it off with a folded and tacked show cover of leather or vinyl, and a simple neat dust cover on the bottom.

Video by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano
Edited by Jeff Roos
Produced by Ben Strano

Start Watching

Videos in the Series

A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Tools and Materials

February 7, 2018

In this episode, learn about the tools you'll need to start upholstering, and the anatomy of a well-constructed chair cushion.
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Making the Deck

February 7, 2018

In this episode, you will discover two ways to create a deck, which is the foundation of a chair cushion.
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Building Up Foam Layers

February 22, 2018

In this episode, learn the basics of making a comfortable cushion using foam up with three different types and sizes of foam.
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Adding the Muslin Layer

March 1, 2018

In this episode, make the undercover for the seat using muslin, a readily available and inexpensive fabric.
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Establishing the Corners

March 1, 2018

The corners are the most difficult part of the seat. Learn some pro tips on getting them right every time.
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Show and Dust Covers

March 8, 2018

The final pieces to the chair seat are the vinyl show cover and the dust cover.

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