The Upholstery Forum

Hello, I’m working on a restoration of what I’ve learned is referred to as a “Sleepy Hollow” chair. Haven’t found any online tutorial or video of anyone doing such diamond tufting work on this sort of unsupported (without a plywood foundation) furniture. My questions are, does anyone have any advice or online resource to get information on this specific tufting process? Also the backside of the prong buttons are supported by some sort of reinforced batting. Can’t seem to locate any such material. See images. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Update on the project. The tufting was surprisingly easy. Looser than the original but not bad for my first go. Still can’t find any content online to show how these are actually made. The original was three pieces stitched together along the pleats. I managed it in one piece.

Looks really nice, if you hadn't posted the original I never whould have paid attention to the tightness of everything. Curious is the tightness controlled by how tight the buttons are pulled or is it more a thickness of padding thing? Only asking due to my inexperience with this. Regarding any videos, something in my head tells me that I saw a video that covered something similar but for a car, I don't even think I watched it but that was a popular style in the 50's I think - maybe look for auto upholstery videos?

i did two identical last year its a lot of measuring tuck here a tuft there . you did a good job.

oh another question how much of it did you replace. everything or just what needed to be?

I kept the foam cushion and frame and springs. I also reused the pronged buttons. I’m waiting on tack strips for the back but rebuilt the leg base out of oak. I’ll upload the finished product once I’m done. Do you have pictures of your chairs?

Fibersport, the tightness was determined by both the foam pushing out and the stretch of the vinyl. I’m hoping that after a few months the foam pressing out will tighten up the vinyl. New foam would have likely been ideal but I didn’t have the budget or patience for that.

Finished project here, sitting in front of my next. I’ll try to take a better photo in the future.

Sam Fahsholtz.

@John, relevant upholstery material on this thread. What do you think?

Why the sunset pictures?

@BigRig, well its a nice picture! lol

These are the two I did !