There are many counterfeit sofas in the marketplace nowadays, and at times knowing how a product is made can help you sniff out a substandard work or appreciate a masterpiece. A genuine Velvet Chesterfield Sofa will make all the difference in whether your home interior upgrade will be a stunning success or not.
The process of making a sofa, for example, the black velvet chesterfield sofa, can be divided into six stages;
- Wood selection
- Frame
- Foam installation
- Upholstery
- Seating system
- Polishing
This article deals with how a velvet sofa is made from scratch into a finished product ready for sale.
How Velvet Sofas Are Made
Velvet Chesterfields are among the most bought sofas, and there is a good reason why. The sofa brings to light ancient British craftsmanship in any room. The colour also blends perfectly with most modern designs. This is how the chesterfield is made.
Wood Selection
The quality of a chesterfield depends on the choice of wood; it’s not primarily the upholstery. A poor choice of wood will greatly affect the lifespan of any seat.
There is only one option for a quality chesterfield: seasoned beech hardwood. The wood is single-grained, making it easy to operate on. Plus, it’s solid and long-lasting. A velvet chesterfield made with oak (hardwood) can last more than ten years.
Frame
The selected wood is then measured, marked, and cut into the desired shape and size according to the blueprint.
The sofa’s frame forms the skeleton of the seat. It’s what gives the seat its shape and size. For making the frame, the wood parts are stuck together with glue before fastening them with screws. Screws are better than nails since they’re less likely to cause the wood to crack, especially if it’s dry. Plus, screws make the frame sturdy and avoid any squeaking sounds.
After setting up the frame, the next step is to drill knitting holes on the frame, that’s on the arms and the crest rail (the top wood on the backrest)
The desired tufting pattern will determine the spacing of the holes. For example, the common diamond chesterfield tufting pattern needs a 6-inch hole spacing.
Foam installation
After setting up the frame, the next thing is installing rebound foam. The best foam is the premium one which is tested and approved for use. Premium foam is long-lasting and has a good rebound.
The best way to check the foam quality of a sofa is by sitting on it. The backrest should have good lumbar support.
The backrest is fitted with rubber lines that act as the foam supports to install the foam. They’re also good for absorbing force. Light fabric cloth is placed over the frame to protect the foam from dirt.
The easiest way to install the foam is by dividing it into four and curving out each; one for the backrest, the two arms, and the front section. The foam is first stretched out on the frame and then nailed around.
The last step in this stage is drilling the knitting holes in the foam. The size of the holes depends on the size of the buttons to be used. The size may vary from 1-inch to ½-inch in diameter. Also, as I noted in the frame section, the distance of the holes depends on the desired tufting pattern.
Upholstery
This stage involves overlaying the foam with fabric or leather and tufting it. The most appropriate material should be;
- Water-resistant
- Fire-resistant (cigarette burn), and
- Easy to clean
The tufting pattern will vary depending on the preferences of a client. The tools needed for this stage are few. They include buttons, fastening threads, and a long sewing needle. Only the backrest, the arms, and the front seat area are tufted.
The fabric is sewn with more rigid material for the back area and the outer arm sides to make it more firm and rigid before fitting it with nails. Detailed tuning is done on the corners and the edges to make the sofa attractive.
The bottom part of the sofa is also fitted with a dirt-preventing cover.
Seating System
For cushioned sofas like the velvet Chester sofa, the seating area is either strapped with serpentine springs, rubber liners, or both. Fabric cloth is laid over the seating system to match the outer fabric or leather. The cushions are designed with the same fabric material to match the sofa.
Polishing
This is the last stage. The sofa undergoes inspection to ensure everything is in place, with no loose buttons or hanging threads. The seat is polished with a special dye for the leather sofas to add depth to the colour.
Conclusion
Knowing how a sofa is made not only helps you search for a quality sofa but also assists you in understanding how best to maintain one.
