Free resource

Sewing

Last updated:


Industrial sewing explained for upholsterers. Most of what is written about these machines is aimed at sailmakers, leatherworkers or garment factories — this is the same ground from an upholstery bench.

Thread

Bonded nylon or polyester, Tex sizes and the three numbering systems, which thread for which job, and the twist question.

Needles

Needle size by thread size, needle systems, round and leather points, and why a blunt needle causes skipped stitches.

Thread & needle selector

Answer three questions and get the thread, size, needle and stitch length for the job.

Next

Machines

Walking foot, compound and needle feed, cylinder arm, flat bed — explained for upholsterers rather than sailmakers.

Coming

Troubleshooting

Fraying, skipped stitches, uneven tension, puckering, thread breaks.

Coming

Setup & parts

Presser feet, servo against clutch motors, speed reducers, tension and timing.

Coming

Where to start. If something is going wrong at the machine, it is thread or needle far more often than tension. The two guides above answer most of it, and the pairing between them answers most of the rest.

This section is being built out. Thread and needles are done; the selector, machines, troubleshooting and setup follow.


The book this came from

Every chapter, on the bench beside you.

This whole reference is free and always will be — but a screen is a poor thing in a dusty workshop. The Working Upholsterer’s Bible is the same 35 chapters and 72 figures in a wiro-bound A4 edition that lies flat on the bench and takes a thumbprint without complaint. Written by a working AMUSF-accredited upholsterer, thirty years in.

The four editions — from £9.99


Keep reading

From the workshop

Free upholstery tips by email

The occasional practical tip from the bench. No spam.


See it in practice