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Upholsterer&Soft Furnisher

April/May 2010

Official journal of the Association ofMaster Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers www.upholsterers.co.uk

INDIA CALLINGspecial report on

roadside upholsterers

CertiPURis your foam certified?

DiamondDoris60 years on

Plumbs celebrate50 years of BritishCraftsmanship


April/May 2010

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Comment

Jan TurnerEditor

Confusion reigns! Following our comment piece in the last issue ofU&SF, it’s clear that many loose cover makers are not complyingwith the fire regulations andmisinterpreting them.

A number of you have written in or called following the page 3piece about loose and stretch covers made for existing furniture andthe fabrics that can be used so that they comply with the FurnitureFurnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.

The biggest worry to many is exactly what type of fabrics areclassed as inherently fire retardant. Onemember told us: “I am a soletrader who has in the past made loose covers, and would like tocontinue doing so. My understanding was that a 75% natural fabriccould be used (un-backed) to cover furniture that had a schedule 3interliner on it - either factory fitted from new or put between thefurniture and the fabric by myself.

“I am now a little confused in that I was under the impressionthat a cloth with 75% natural fibres was inherently fire retardent. Ifit is not, then what makes it beneficial to use over any other cloth ifit has to be back coated anyway?

“I cannot seem to get a definitive answer as to what aninherently fire retardent fabric is composed of.”

With these concerns in mind, Wendy Shorter, the AMUSFdirector of training has kindly agreed to put a fuller explanation upon the members section of the website so members in any doubt atall should visit www.upholsterers.co.uk to find out more.

While you are there, do please take part in our 2010 tradesurvey which, as promised in previous issues, is now up on thewebsite and needs as many of you as possible to take part. Thesurvey aims to find out howmembers work out customer estimatesand the price they come up with – the idea is to see if there are anyregional variations in methodology, costs, charging structures etc.Completing it will only take a fewminutes of your time and thosetaking part will be emailed with the results.

All individual information will be treated in the strictestconfidence - only the overall results will be published so thateveryone can benefit from knowing the bigger picture.

One lucky contributor will also win a fantastic pneumatic staplegun, donated by J A Milton Upholstery Supplies.

So please, log on to the site now – it’s a terrific new facility formembers and if you haven’t taken a good look round recently youreally could be missing a trick. As well as being full of usefulinformation it offers every AMUSFmember the chance to have theirown full page profile on the site and, most important of all,incorporates sophisticated search technology that enablesconsumers looking for upholstery services to search by service,location, postcode or specific name, for their preferred choice ofupholsterer or soft furnisher.

Another new addition to the website is a summary of decisionstaken at the association’s board meetings. This is in response torequests at the last OGM that more information be given tomembers on the board’s work. The report from the February 18meeting is now on the site – so do have a look to see what theboard is doing on your behalf.

Jan Turner

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher

Editor:Jan Turner, AKA PRT: 01756 795374 F: 01756 798789E: [email protected]

Sales:Joanne MillerT: 01732 783561 E: [email protected]

Tim BodenT: 01732 783561 E: [email protected]

Harry PriceT: 01732 783561 E: [email protected]

Jarrod BirdT: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected]

Published by Interiors Media LimitedUnit 11, Riverside Business Centre, Riversidew house,Riverlawn Road, Tonbrigde, Kent TN9 1EPT: 01732 783561 F: 01732 783562E: [email protected]

Registered in England no. 6397722

Printed by Headley Brothers



April/May 2010

Official journal of the Association ofMaster Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers www.upholsterers.co.uk

INDIA CALLINGspecial report onroadside upholsterers

CertiPURis your foam certified?

DiamondDoris60 years on



April/May 2010

Plumbs Reupholstery can supply you with aregular flow of well paid work. If you are aReupholsterer or Loose cover maker anywhere inthe U.K. who takes a real pride in their work, findout more at www.plumbspeople.co.uk or callAngela Frank on 01772 838304(no investment required)

03_USF040510.qxp:03 22/4/10 12:36

Adhesive. Aerosols. Anti Slip Cloth. Arm Facing Fixings. Barrier Cloth. BedActions. Blind Seam Profile. Bolts. Brass Castors. Buff Tape. Bun Feet. ButtonCovering Machines. Button Moulds. Button Twine. Buttons. Calico. Candy Cord.Cambric. Castors. Castor Feet. Chalk. Chipboard. Chrome Legs. Compressors.Cords. Cushions. Cut Foam. Dacron. Decorative Nails. Divan Legs. Domes ofSilence. Dust Covers. Edge Rolls. Elastic. Extrusions. Fabric Protector. FeatherCushions. Feet. Felt. Felt Pads. Fibreboard. Fillings. Fire Labels. Fixings. Foam.Glides. Glue. Glue Guns. Glue Sticks. Gimp Pins. Hair. Hammers. HardwoodHeadboard Struts. Hessian. HogRings. Hook & Loop. Inserts.Insulator. Interliner. Jute Webbing.Knives. Labels. M a c h i n e s .M e c h a n i s m s . Metal Legs.M o n o f i l a m e n t Thread. MouldedLegs. Nails. Nail Gun. Nail HeadTrim. Natural Fibres. Needles. No Sag Springs. Non-Woven Cloth. Packing Tape.Pirelli Webbing. Piping Cord. Plastic Glides. Polyester Wadding. Polyfoam EdgeRoll. Polypropylene Base Cloth. Polythene Bags. Rubberised Hair. Scissors.Silicone Spray. Silk Film. Sofa Bed Actions. Spring Bender. Spring Clips. SpunBonded Polypropylene. Stain Remover. Staples. Stockinette. Stool Hinges. SwingLabels. T-Nuts. Tacking Strips. Tacks. Tag Gun. Tailor’s Chalk. Tape. ThreadedInserts. Thread. Tools. Tufts. Twine. Twist Pins. Upholstery Tacks. Vinyl. Wadding.Waterproof Interliner. Webbing Stretchers. Webbing. Wooden Legs. Zip & Sliders.

And many more...

Aneal Business Centre, Cross Green Approach,Cross Green Business Park, Leeds. LS9 0SG

Tel: 00 44 (0) 1132 351111 Fax: 00 44 (0) 1132 350034Email: [email protected] Web: www.petercookint.com

“A key componentof your success”

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Contents

6 & 7 AMUSF news update, Branchbriefings, Letters and emails

8 Industry roundup

10 Taking Issue: CertiPUR Sense

12 Profile: Wendy Shorter

14 & 15 India Calling

16 New products

18 Feather, fibre or foam?

20 Profile: Doris Fisher

22 Finishing Touches

24 Memory Lane: Every Picture Tellsa Story

26 In the Hotseat: BertramChapman

News

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AMUSF ContactsHead Office

Association Manager: Susan SpencerEmail: [email protected]

Francis Vaughan House, Q1 Capital Point, CapitalBusiness Park, Parkway, Cardiff, Glamorgan, CF3 2PU

Tel: 029 2077 8919 Fax: 029 2079 3508Website: www.upholsterers.co.uk

Branch ContactsBeds, Bucks, Herts and North London – Wendy Shorter

Tel: 01727 824358Email: [email protected]

Hants & Dorset – Kevin Lee – Tel: 01489 572108Wales & West – Anthea Muggleton – Tel: 01823 661324

Email: [email protected] –Davin White – Tel: 0208 854 4402

London – Wynne Gilham – Tel: 01708 752333Surrey – Ron Mercure – Tel: 0208 941 4521

Scotland – Sandy Stewart – Tel: 01555 772052

Regional ContactsEast Anglia – Mark Polley – Tel: 01254 361665Yorkshire – Mavis Baddeley – Tel: 0113 2633031

Beds, Bucks & Herts – Bert Chapman – Tel: 01707 652932Email: [email protected]

West Midlands – Joan Milton – Tel: 0870 7778934Email: [email protected]

05_USF040510:5 20/4/10 11:02

Branch briefings

6 Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher April/May 2010

CRASH LANDINGAn unexpected visitor dropped in on StrathvaleFurnishing in Forfar, Scotland lastmonth and, asthese pictures show, had a smashing time!A car driven by an 88-year-oldman drove

straight across the car park, burst through the glass frontage and demolishedfurniture on its way down the shop taking out the boiler en-route.Said owner John Oliphant: “The car came in about 25 feet hitting chairs,

a large chaise, and half an Ercol suite. “Fortunately our Insurance via theAMU looks good but it put us back by over a week.Wewere also lucky thatthe weather was not too cold but we had to buy electric fan heaters tokeep us going!”

DON’T LOSE YOUR COOLIf you’re not already aware, regulations on cooling off periodsand cancellation rights for consumers have been extended –and will apply tomany upholsterers and soft furnishers.The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home

or Place ofWork etc Regulations 2008 now cover contractsmade both during solicited visits by traders - ie visits made atthe consumer’s request - and unsolicited visits by traders.The visits could take place in a consumer’s home or

workplace, or another individual’s home, or on an excursionorganised by the trader away from the trader’s businesspremises in the UK. Certain exceptionsmay apply.The regulations apply to sales of goods and services

including home improvements, repair andmaintenanceservices, energy efficiency products or installations and,importantly, consumer goods and homewares.Traders must provide aminimum cooling-off period of

seven calendar days starting with the date of receipt by theconsumer of a notice of the right to cancel from the trader.The right to cancel, within the cancellation period, applies tocontracts with a total payment value of more than £35.The cancellation rights must be clearly and prominently

displayed in any written contract, or given in writing if thereis no written contract.If you are likely to begin work on a ‘specified’ contract,

before the end of the seven day cancellation period, youshould obtain written agreement from the customer.Otherwise the customer would not be under any obligationto pay for goods and services provided up to the point ofcancellation.Further information and a suggested layout of the Notice

of the Right to Cancel and associated forms can be found onthe AMUSF website – www.upholsterers.co.uk

AWARDSNIGHTLondonMetropolitan University holds its annual furniture awards night forupholstery and soft furnishings students on Thursday June 17 at theCommercial Road Campus (formerly the London College of Furniture) inTower Hamlets. The awards –which include, for the 20th year, thosemadeby theWorshipful Company of Upholders – are designed to recogniseoutstanding achievement in the standard and quality of students’work.

TASTE OF DESIGNJohn Boyd Textiles and 14 othercompanies take to the road nextmonth (May) to give tradecustomers a chance to view newcollections fromAlton-Brooke,Bennett Silks, Anna French andThibautWallpapers, The BradleyCollection, Henry Newberry, Rubelli,Hesse Fabrics, LouisMoreau,MarvicTextiles, Northcroft Fabrics, Sahco

andWhitehead Designs. The five-date tour takes in:•May 5 – Tyintesfield,Wraxhall,North Somerset•May 6 – UftonNevett, Reading,Berkshire•May 12 – Arley Hall, Northwich,Cheshire•May 13 – BramhamPark,Wetherby,West Yorkshire•May 19 – Albury Park, Guildford,Surrey

! At the Beds, Bucks, Herts & North Londonmeeting on Wednesday January 20, Bert Chapman demonstrated how, using a beamcompass, neat and accurate patterns for soft folded tails can be produced. Bert also gave a talk on his work at Windsor Castleafter the fire, and showed examples of the fabrics and fabulous trimmings used in the restoration work. The branch is nowlooking into a possible visit to Windsor Castle with Bert to see the finished results in situ. The meeting was also attended byAngela Burgin, an upholsterer and soft furnisher with a keen interest in antique miniature chairs. Angela will give a talk on thesewhen she hosts the next meeting at her home on Wednesday May 12 at 7.30 p.m. Please contact Wendy Shorter 01727 824358or email [email protected] for address details.

! Hants and Dorset: Due to other commitments we could not arrange a bowls evening but it has not been totally abandoned andwe will try to arrange another date soon. Dates for next meetings are as follows: April 14, June 9, BBQ at Bolderwood New ForestJuly 14, and AGM September 8. We are continuing our policy on a more social theme and if anyone has any suggestions please letme know. For more information contact Kevin/Mary Crack on 01489 572108 or email [email protected]

! Kent:Members, fellows, wives and partners attended an informal dinner at the Old Oast House, Smeeth, Kent on February 6.Some 30 people attended, a good time was had by all. Thanks to Cyril and Hazel Knight for organising the venue. At the branch

AMUSF news roundup

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Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher 7

Letters and emails

Branch briefings

VENICE REVISITEDOn thumbing through aback issue of Upholsterer &Soft Furnisher Oct 07, Icame across an article, MyVenetian Experience,which looked familiar.Having visited Venice inSeptember last year I tooka photo of the very shop.I went in and wanderedaround but unfortunatelyno one appeared. It was awonderful find and Icouldn’t believe seeing itagain in the magazine.Our Venetian Holiday wasa three day treat to celebrate our RubyWedding Anniversary. Never havingbeen there before, we found it acrowded but stunning city.Sheila Courtnage

NEW OPENINGMy neighbour is an upholsterer for a large company that has seen adownturn of business in recent months. They employ disabled people- and my neighbour is almost blind in both eyes. He has beenemployed by this company in Dundee for 25 years and will shortly bemade redundant. Is there any guidance possible for someone inDundee, who is middle aged, almost blind, looking for a new openingin upholstery?Email: [email protected]

WORKSHOP EXPERIENCEI’m currently undertaking a Level 1 and 2 upholstery course atthe LondonMetropolitan University and I am really keen toget some unpaid workshop experience with an upholsterycompany. Is there a forumwhere by companies advertise suchposts and students can apply? I am based in East Dulwich,which is South East London. Any advice would be great.Liz Colebourne (Email: [email protected];Tel No: 07590 544019)

FLAMERETARDANTCHEMICALSANDTHE ENVIRONMENTFollowing the article by AndrewMunns of SATRA Technology Centre in the January/Februaryedition, I thought I should updatemembers on the first meeting of FRETWORK, the FlameRetardant Textile Network, which took place in Brighouse, Yorkshire onWednesday February24. Its objectives are to promote and protect the interests of companies involved in FlameRetardant Textile Supply Chain from chemical manufacturers and formulators to processorsand end-users, along with anyone involved in the production and testing of flame retardanttextiles and textile products.FRETWORKmembers are already on committees responsible for UK, European and

International standards relevant to flame retardant textiles and textile products. All theleading chemical suppliers and compounders were represented along withmajor treatmentcompanies. Delegates from household name furniture retailers, and their suppliers, alsoattended. The threemajor European chemical suppliers outlined their research into potentialalternative products and the work being carried out onmonitoring emissions on theenvironment at all stages of the treatment process.If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us. FRETWORK

membership is open to all involved with FR textiles from production to end-users, and willgive you access to themeetings and the briefing notes which are published after each forum.Alan Eyers – Euroflam - 02392 594313FRETWORK: [email protected] updates: www.vecap.info; www.bsef.com(Bromine Science & Environment Forum)

meeting on February 14, the success of the national AGM was discussed and Peter Finch congratulated on his appointment tothe board. The need for greater communication between the board and members was also discussed. Contact Davin White on0208 8544402.

! Scotland: Hopefully we have seen the last of the snow and with spring around the corner trade should start to pick up. Mary andI attended the trade show at Glenskirlie Hotel in Kilsyth – it was good to get out and meet friends old and new, also make somenew contacts: we do miss our conference trade shows. We hope to arrange a meeting soon. Contact Sandy Stewart on 01555772052.

! The Surrey branch is looking for members to join us for a Sunday lunch in April/May (dates to be confirmed) if you would like toemail me on [email protected] or ring on 0208 941 4521 and I can keep you informed on any functions/meetings in the future.

! Wales & West: Unfortunately the last planned meeting had to be cancelled. We are hoping to re-arrange the meeting soon, dateand venue to be confirmed. Contact Anthea Muggleton – 01823 661324 or email [email protected]

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Industry roundup


PROPOSTEMay 2010 be The Year ofFurnishing Textiles! That’s themessage from Proposte - oneof the leading worldwidefabric fairs – which takes placeon May 5-6-7 at Villa Erba inCernobbio (Lake Como).With some 100 exhibitors

taking part at this year’s show,Proposte remains anindispensable point ofreference for the internationalfurnishing textile sector. Lastyear more than 7,000 vistorsflocked to the three-day showfrom as far afield as the USA,Japan, the Emirates, Taiwanand Hong Kong.

With the largest number oftextile companies in Europe(15 – 20,000), Italy employs500,000 in the textile sector.Its importance to the countryis being further underlined bythe Italian Chamber ofDeputies approval of the Madein Italy label for furnishingfabrics. It can only be used onproducts manufactured in thecountry or with at least twoproduction phases madethere.As ever, this year’s

exhibition – which covers6,300 sqm – will be full of

The Furnishing Industry Trust(FIT, formerly the FTBA) is ontarget for a bumper shootingand fishing season.Big Shots, one of FIT’s

main fundraising events,takes place on Thursday June10 at the famous Holland &Holland Shooting Ground,Northwood, Middlesex. It isfollowed just two days later(Saturday June 12) by theNational Fishing Day.Said Big Shots co-organiser

David Langford: “Last year’sshoot was a great successand we’re looking forward toanother good day for 2010.As well as being a fantasticopportunity to network withpeople from right across thefurnishings sector, Big Shotshas raised nearly £400,000over the years.”For further information, to

register a team, or to enquireabout sponsorshipopportunities at Big Shots,contact David Langford at

Peroda on tel: 01367240000.The National Fishing Day

will again be held atMeadowlands Fisheries atRyton-upon-Dunsmore,Coventry.Tickets cost £30 each with

100 pegs available on a firstcome, first served basis.There are cash prizes andtrophies on offer for the BestTeam, Best Individual Weightand Biggest Fish. Freebreakfast and lunch anddrinks will also be provided.For more information or anentry form contact AndyCorbett at Prima Foam on01234 213121.Also to come on the FIT

calendar of events is theNational Golf Championship,Friday September 17 at TheBelfry, Sutton Coldfield,West Midlands.For further information onother FIT events visitwww.fi-trust.co.uk

Make a beeline for Proposte

Proposte - leading the way

FIT FOR SHOOTIN’ AND FISHIN’

BFC ANNOUNCESMAJORNEWFLAMGUIDE FOR INDUSTRYFIRA has just launched a contract furniture flammabilityguide for the British Furniture Confederation (BFC).

The document, which is a guide to the flammabilityrequirements for contract and non-domestic furniture, is asister publication to the BFC guide to the UK domesticflammability regulations, produced by FIRA, last year.The new document is an essential guide for manufacturers,

component suppliers and specifiers as it describes howfurniture sits within the requirements of the RegulatoryReform (Fire Safety) Order. It specifically details theobligations of both end users and suppliers and suggestsappropriate fire safety levels for furniture in a range of enduse environments.As well as input from FIRA’s flammability experts, the

document incorporates invaluable contributions fromindustry via members of the British Contract FurnishingAssociation (BCFA).The new guide is available to download from the FIRAwebsite www.fira.co.uk/publications. Hardcopies are alsoavailable, however numbers are limited.

Seating for schools created by Bucks New University furnituredesign students together with Ercol, features at a new exhibition,Sit Down: Seating for Kids, at the V&A Museum of Childhood inBethnal Green, East London.Taking the classic children's tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears

as its starting point, Sit Down: Seating for Kids invites the visitorto consider what makes a successful seat. Is it comfort? Is it style?Or ease of use?The exhibition runs until September 5 2010. Spanning four

centuries, it features over 70 examples of seating made forchildren, ranging from school chairs to armchairs, saddles toswings, highchairs to potties.

STUDENTSWORKWITH ERCOL TO EXHIBITAT V&AMUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

surprises. As a world previewshow, exhibitors cannot shownew collections to clients orjournalists before the fair –they are literally unveiled forthe first time there.For further information, visitwww.propostefair.it

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CertiPUR – a registered trademark ofEuropur, the association ofEuropean flexible polyurethane

block manufacturers - was introduced in2002 as a voluntary scheme, designed tohighlight the foam industry’scommitment to the safety, health andenvironmental (SHE) performance of itsproducts. The scheme is transparent andchallenging. It rests on clear criteria thatrequire firms to comply with restrictionsconcerning substances in the foam whichmay be of concern for health or theenvironment. Furthermore, a certifiedindependent laboratory will need toanalyse samples and confirm that theymeet the requirements of the scheme.

The CertiPUR label will only be grantedafter positive confirmation that the rulesare being complied with. And thatcompliance has to be reviewed every threeyears and is subject to random spotchecks.The flame retardant substances used by

foam suppliers to meet UK fireretardancy legislation areall well-controlledwithin CertiPUR. It isworthrememberingthat flameretardantsbased onantimony,arsenic, boric acid,PFOA or thebrominatedsubstances PBBs, PBDEor OBDE are not used.“It’s not an easy standard to meet,” says

Ken Hillier, who sits on the British PlasticsFederation technical committee andEuropur’s technical working party, whichmeets regularly to ensure CertiPUR is stillfit for purpose and monitors any changesnecessary. “If it were easy to meet itwouldn’t be worth much.”

“It’s a standard all responsible foammanufacturers should comply with,” saysRichard Page, director of comfortconversion at Vitafoam, a division of VitaCellular Foams.All the UK’s main suppliers – Vitafoam,

Carpenter and Recticel - have had most oftheir pu foam block registered under thescheme so chances are if you are orderingany foam from them or a converter usingtheir foam then it’s certified.“It’s designed to give an increasingly

environmentally aware consumerconfidence in foam,” says Ian Owen, salesdirector at Carpenter, which achievedcertification for all four types of pu foamit manufactures in the UK last summer.To date, the industry has not publicisedthe scheme widely to consumers. But

it has become respectedcommercially both in Europeand elsewhere in the world(the USA has its ownCertiPUR-US scheme) asthe basis for establishinggood criteria to avoidrestricted or prohibitedproducts. Ikea, forexample, has worked

closely with Europur and itsown specification

requirements for pu foams in itsproducts now recognises the

CertiPUR label.So, if you want to use foam in your

work, promoting your suppliers’ CertiPURaccreditation is another benefit to talkabout. Make sure you ask if the productyou’re using is certified – and make sureyou get hold of the label artwork andpromote it like mad in your marketing!

WHY ITMAKES SENSE TOENSURE YOUR FOAM IS CERTIFIEDHave you heard of CertiPUR? Possibly not – or perhaps you may have spotted thename on a label without really knowing what it stands for? It’s actually a safety,health and environment accreditation scheme for polyurethane foams, which canprovide your customers with reassurance that the foam you are using is notharmful to health or the environment – and another reason to buy from yourather than cheaper imported products.

Taking issue


Carpenter Foam Blocks

Carpenter sales director Ian Owen proudly shows off thecompany's CertiPUR certification, achieved in 2009

10_USF040510.qxp:10 15/4/10 11:58

Kobe UK Ltd, Suite D, Loddon Vale House, Hurricane Way, Woodley, Berkshire. RG5 4UXTel: 0844 7420 800 (Lo-Call rate), Fax: 0844 7420 801 (Lo-Call rate), [email protected]

www.kobe.eu

11_USF040510:17 23/4/10 10:05 Page 1

Wendy Shorter’s Mum quicklydismissed her young daughter’searly dreams of becoming a

needlework teacher with the devastatingwords: “There’s no money in sewing, love.”Thirty years on, and with her first guide

to ‘sewing’ fresh in the bookshops, Wendyhas finally proved her wrong.Not only has she published her first

book – Professional Soft Furnishings (NewHolland Publishers, £14.99) – but Wendyalso runs a successful training centre forupholsterers and soft furnishers at a1500sq ft converted barn near her homein Colney Heath, Hertfordshire.As well as being instrumental in

developing the nationally trade recognisedAMUSF qualification for upholsterers andsoft furnishers, she sits on the ProSkillsFurniture Industry Board, is a director ofFIRA (the Furniture Industry ResearchAssociation) on behalf of the AMUSF andattends the All Party Parliamentary Groupfor Furniture. Wendy is also a liveryman of

the Worshipful Company of Upholders.But it very nearly wasn’t so.With her

mother’s warning ringing in her ears,Wendy quickly ditched the idea ofbecoming a needlework teacher and foundherself instead in the far racier world of bigbudget movie making.As PA to Stanley Kubrick for seven years,

Wendy worked on such box office hits asThe Shining and Full Metal Jacket beforegoing on to become a freelanceproduction co-ordinator.Heady days indeed, but Wendy never

lost her love of sewing and the arrival ofdaughter Louise, now 17, acted as thecatalyst to her career change.“I began working in upholstery and soft

furnishings in the mid-Nineties,” saidWendy who took the AMUSF ‘Student ofthe Year’ title in 1997 after training atLondon Metropolitan University.Along with private commissions,

Wendy began teaching part time atLondon Met and West Herts College inHemel Hempstead. Then, four years ago,with half a dozen students still part waythrough their course, Wendy was maderedundant fromWest Herts.A bolt out of the blue, it never-the-less

spurred her on to do what secureemployment tends to discourage: finallygo it alone.She says: “I found a barn not far from

our home and somehow everything fellinto place. I had premises, studentsdesperate to finish their course and willingto support me by coming along privately– and a real will to succeed.”It was nevertheless a mammoth

gamble: “To begin with I had just enoughstudents to run one daytime and onenight-time class but within three monthsthat had doubled to two daytime and twoevening classes. But I still needed to teachone day a week at London Met and doprivate commission work.”Today, Wendy’s training centre offers

accredited courses five days a week forupholsterers and soft furnishers with oneevening ‘leisure’ course.Along with her various industry

commitments and finding the time towrite a book, it all adds up to a prettyhectic schedule of work.It also adds up to rather more than

Wendy’s Mum would have had her believeall those years ago. Says Wendy: “Thirtyyears on from when Mum warned me tosteer clear of sewing, things have actuallyturned out quite well!”

SEW FARSEW GOOD!A new guide to soft furnishings written by AMUSF director of trainingWendy Shorter has just hit the bookshelves....

Profile


Wendy’s book, Professional Soft Furnishings:The complete guide to professional results, waspublished onMarch 1 and is a follow-on from‘Professional Upholstery’ byMalcolmHopkins*.This was first published in 2008 and it was after

writing the fabric section for the book thatWendywasapproached by publishers NewHolland. They askedher to write a guide to professional soft furnishings asthe second book in a planned series.SaysWendy: “The book is a comprehensive practical guide aimed at

competent sewers looking tomove on to the next stage. It’s suitable for peoplewhowant to turn a passion into a rewarding career – or simply learn how to do

a professional job of their own home furnishings.”The 160-page guide offers expert advice on all aspects of soft

furnishings – frommaking curtains and cushions to bed valancesand chair covers.Essential techniques, colours and fabrics are all covered along

with nine unique projects, all broken down into fully illustratedeasy-to-follow steps.*Malcolm’s book has just been republished – in Hungarian!

Wendy Shorter

12_USF040510:12 15/4/10 12:00

Business for SaleOperating from a workshop and retail premises situated on amain road located in North London we are a highly successful,family run, upholstery and soft furnishing business with a long

established solid client base.

Our Reputation is excellent and our dedicated and loyalteam of curtain makers and upholsterers is well known

and respected for quality and service.

Unfortunately, due to the ill health of one of the partnerswe feel that we must now offer our business for sale as

a going concern.

THE BUSINESS ASKING PRICE IS

£250,000Plus Stock at Market Value

There is also the opportunity to purchase the retail premisesalong with the freehold of the building. Price on application.

Formore details please apply to:Box SS • TheAssociation ofMaster Upholsterers & Soft

Furnishers • Francis VaughanHouse • Q1 Capital Point • CapitalBusiness Park • Parkway • Cardiff • Glamorgan • CF3 2PU

Triumph Needle Company Limited

Over 50 years of experience in the industrial sewing industries and acomprehensive selection of spare parts and consumable items

supports our global supplier network. As main agents for PFAFF andJack industrial sewing machines we strive to offer the highest levelof service through a wide selection of machinery tailored to your

specific requirements.

We assist manufacturers in all aspects of the sewing trade includingtextiles, upholstery, automotive, bagging and mattress industries.

Triumph Needle Company LimitedThe Exchange, 14 Albion Street, South Wigston,

Leicester LE18 4SAt: 0116 222 9222 f: 0116 222 9200

[email protected] www.triumph-needle.co.uk

13_USF040510:13 23/4/10 10:03 Page 1

Along roadsides in India,upholsterers ply their trade fromramshackle workshops, shacks and

showrooms.Largely a cottage industry in this third

world but rapidly emerging nation, thework of the Indian upholsterer is not sovery different from that of craftspeopleback home. They work surrounded bypiles of foam, wadding and syntheticrubber adhesive, their primary toolsof the trade being a nail gun andsewing machine.The market itself, however, is very

different. Where much of the Britishupholstery business trades in fast fashionturnover suites that get replaced everyfive to 10 years, the Must Last A Lifetimementality reigns supreme in India.A large proportion of the small

upholsterers work lies in repair andrestoration work. New chairs, sofas andsuites are made strictly to order - andcompletely bespoke at that. But relativeto income they don't come cheap: whenyou consider the average policeman orteacher earns around 5,000 rupees amonth - just £65 - and the modern'orange' number pictured here comes in ataround 35,000 rupees (some £450 or afull seven months wages) it's notsurprising that repair still far outweighsreplacement.So at workshops like Ahmeds, much of

the focus is on breathing new life into oldsuites. "People in India still expect theirfurniture to last many, many years and even to be handed on to sons and

daughters," he said.It was a handing down of knowledge

that brought Ahmed - now in is mid-30s- into the upholstery business. His fatherand grandfather before him worked asupholsterers so he literally grew up withthe trade, helping out from a veryyoung age.He also grew up knowing that in India,

teak is 'king'. Indeed it is so revered that,depending on the size of the tree, anyone


Feature

INDIACALLINGA special report on the Indian upholstery trade by U&SF editor Jan Turner

Ahmed's roadside retail operation

End design All sewn up

14-15_USF040510:14-15 15/4/10 12:04

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher 15

daring to fell one without permission canbe jailed for 10 - 15 years. Even felling onewith permission comes with an obligationto plant 20 more in its place.By far the most expensive timber to use

in furniture, teak tends to feature asexterior 'show wood' only. Internal framesare constructed using marine wood andthen, depending on customerrequirements and budget, it is paddedwith foam and coir or - for the better offgiven foam is regarded as something of aluxury - foam only. Internal springs don'ttend to be favoured in India as the humidclimate has them quickly rusting anddistintegrating. Cotton wadding and flockwas in reasonable evidence too.

Synthetic rubber adhesives are widelyused to hold both the fillings and fabriccover in place and what stitching can't bedone on very basic 'treddle mill' sewingmachines is completed by hand.While Ahmed learnt his tricks of the

trade at his father's knee, anyone elsewanting to go into upholstery in Indiagenerally does so through two-yearapprenticeships with larger companies.The learning curve doesn't includeanything about flam regs - because thereare none! As one Indian told me:"If a sofais going to catch fire there is not a lot youcan do about it."

Picky old us then!Whether in Britain or Bombay, theupholsterer’s workshop is not the easiestplace to keep spotless but it wouldn't beunfair to describe the average smallIndian business as decidedly Dickensianwith new ventures popping up alongroadsides in even the most remotelocations. And perhaps it is because theydo appear so very basic and low tech thatthe production of trendy designer cornersofas that are nearly as big as theworkshop itself, is all the more remarkable.With labour costs so heartbreakingly

cheap, it's no surprise that mostmanufacturing in the country remainslabour intensive. And why, despiteseeming an astronomic price to pay forthe average Indian, a bespoke designersofa can be turned out within the space ofa fortnight for - to us - a mere £450.AND it'll probably last a lifetime!

The revered teak tree

Hard at work

Restoration work

Raj Furniture store

Tool of the trade

14-15_USF040510:14-15 15/4/10 12:05

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17_USF040510:17 23/4/10 16:29 Page 1

Choosing the very best fillings tocomplement an upholstery range isa tough call – it is imperative to

select the most appropriate filling toachieve comfort, function and design.But Wendy Shorter, director of training

at The Association of MasterUpholsterers, says the AMUSF doesn’trecommend fibre fill on its own for seatcushions. “The reason is, if it’s notplumped regularly it becomes compacted,firm and lumpy. There just isn’t enoughstability in it. It’s fine for back cushionsbut not for seat cushions. A lot ofcushions are now made of composites,for example foam wrapped in feather.”David Abernethy, director of Feather

and Fibre UK suggests that while this istrue, a lot does depend on the type of thefibre and how it is used. “Our fibre iscarded rather than blown, which gives usthe flexibility to use different grades andlengths for the right product. We alsohand fill all our cushions which does takelonger but gives a better cushion.”The popular look of the loose filled

style cushion rather than the 'block' lookof a standard foam cushion really cameinto its own in the 1980’s but this type ofcushion can have a short life in themodern home. Constant puffing up ofthe cushions is a chore many people wantto avoid, yet they still want to retain themore relaxed look.“Foam can be too squishy,” says Bert

Chapman of Albert E Chapmanupholsterers and soft furnishers. “Asupholsterers we find that the best optionis feather and down – which gives thecushion a much softer feel and helps it torestore its shape - or a composite where afoam core is used with feather pads onthe top and bottom. It is more expensivebut the result is a longer lasting cushionthat has a soft feel.

“Ideally you want a cushion that has afirm density in the middle and a soft topand bottom. High density foam coreswith soft feather wraps achieve the puffedup cushion look and ensure cushionsrapidly return to their original shape.”David Abernethy also agrees: “Feathers

are definitely more popular than fibre butour biggest seller is a feather wrap arounda foam centre. It’s not as soft as a feathercushion but nor is it as tailored as foam.It’s a great halfway solution and alsomeans less maintenance.”

A high percentage of down in thefeather (Feather and Fibre UK sell alldown mixes including the popular 30%down mix) does make it softer and helpsto restore the shape of the cushion. Themore down there is, the lighter it is,which particularly lends itself to largecorner suites and chaises.David concludes: “At the end of the

day there is nothing wrong with a fibreseat if it is used correctly. But youdo need to use the right fibre in theright environment.”

TAKEA SEATTo fill up with feather, foam or fibre? Now that is the question.With many doubtingthe suitability of fibre in chair cushions, U&SF looks at the reasons why and thealternatives on offer.

Feather and Fibres


18_USF040510:18 15/4/10 12:06

FILLINGS TO SUITALLOFYOUR FURNITUREREQUIREMENTS

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19_USF0040510:19 20/4/10 10:55 Page 1

It’s 60 years since Doris Fisher firststepped into the world of the AMUSF.She was “just a young girl” when she

began her career, working in a secretarialrole for founder Francis Vaughanon a part-time basis. Over thenext few years, she was to learnthe trade and develop anunderstanding of theassociation that she took overand ran from the 1970s.

Doris told us: “When I startedout I had no prior knowledgeand certainly no practical skill inthe upholstery and softfurnishings trade. As there wasjust Mr Vaughan and I in theNorth Kensington office, Iquickly took a lot in. Throughattending meetings, takingminutes, organising andattending conferences, I startedto build an understanding andpassion for the industry.”During Doris’ time at the

AMUSF the furnishings industrychanged as new rules andregulations were brought in.“The industry had to learn

how to adapt and continuerunning with the newrestrictions in place. I rememberthe foam and fire regulationscoming in and having a hugeimpact on the way productswere manufactured. Taxes wereconstantly changing too, up anddown, we had to be flexible andable to adjust.”And of course the AMU has changed in

this time too. The organisation began topublicise the work it did and introducedconferences and branch meetings. Dorisremembers the annual conferences as oneof the highlights of the year withmembers travelling from all parts of thecountry to the many different locations.

From the 1960s, an associationmember’s exhibition was introduced onthe final day of conference. It wasinstituted by the North Midlands branch,

again with people travelling from all overthe country to exhibit there.“I think one of the most significant

events in my time was joining up withthe Worshipful Company of Upholders in1952. By being associated with us, thecompany could start to rebuild andrenew contacts and because of this

partnership we were able to offerapprenticeship schemes.”As she grew in confidence, stature and

esteem, Doris became a regular on thespeakers circuit, invited to avariety of events such asAMUSF council meetings,lectures and conferences.Indeed, such was herreputation as a speaker thatonly recently she was askedto speak at a Kent branchmeeting.Events that were

introduced during Doris’ timeallowed members of theassociation to come togetherand meet acquaintances newand old.“When I look back at the

time spent with the AMUSF,it is the people I remember,the friendly and warm natureof the members. Everyonewas there for each other,eager to help and happilyworking together.“Back when I first started

out everything was done ona shoestring, people paidtheir own expenses andmuch was done on avoluntary basis. And we werehappy to do it.”Still highly regarded by the

AMUSF, Doris was invited toa Kent dinner dance as guestof honour. She maintainsmany friendships that were

built up in the 40 years spent working forthe association. Doris is also a Fellow ofthe association and attended the socialweekend in Blackpool. Away from theassociation, she is kept busy with herfamily life - two sons, two grandchildrenand two great-grandchildren to occupyher time!

DIAMONDDORIS!For 40 incredible years – between 1950 and 1990 – Doris Fisher worked for,and became the face of, the AMUSF.U&SF catches up with her 20 years on.....

Profile


20_USF040510:20 15/4/10 12:07

FlavoursomeFurniture from Furnital

Established 25 years ago,Furnital Ltd have been supplying thetrade with predominantly raw-unfinished chair frames ranging fromthe small independent localupholsterer, interior designers,architects and contractfurnishers.

Visit our NEW website www.furnital.comto view our on-line brochure

If you are looking for craftsmanship and quality coupledwith good price then contact us immediately.Furnital Limited, Units 6–8 Trinity Centre, Park Farm Estate,

Wellingborough, Northants NN8 6ZBTel: 01933 400084 Fax: 01933 400013 e-mail: [email protected]

21_USF040510:21 20/4/10 11:00 Page 1

In the world of fastenings and finishings,anything goes. From the traditionaltiebacks favoured by country homes to

wackier avant garde creations fashionedfrom hair, the aesthetics of fastenings areoften as important as their practicality.For while the basic catalogue of

fastenings and finishings has remainedunchanged for many years, fashions andfads come and go.Among new ideas spotted at this year’s

Birmingham Interiors Showwere plaitedhair tie-backs from Puff & Flock - a collectiveof eight diverse textile designers whoundertake one-off commissions.Call it hair-brained or consider it haute

couture, it’s this kind of creativity that haskept the trade on its toes since it firstemerged: imagine how revolutionary thesimple hook-and-eyemust have seemedwhen that was first thought of. In hisComplete Dictionary of Dry Goods (1892)George S. Cole, referred to this form of

fastening as ‘crochet and loop’ andstates it was in use in England asearly as the 14th century.Amuchmoremodern

invention, but no less of abreakthrough, was Velcro whichcame tomarket in 1959 - thename taken from the first syllablesof the French words velours (loop)and crochet (hook).The humble but ever popular

button dates back over 3,000 yearsmaking its debut as a fastening deviceduring the Bronze Age. According to JoanMilton from J AMilton Upholstery, the useof buttons in upholstery today is mainlydecorative rather than functional. “ Zips,Velcro and press studs all serve a purpose,”she says, “but buttons are definitely themost popular product ordered from ourstore - covered buttons in particular.”Lucy Harne of Renaissance Studio,

specialists in bespoke trimmings and

accessories, also believes aesthetics countfor more than simple practicalities. She said:“High end traditional upholstery is still aspopular and sought after as ever,particularly with stately home installationsor restorations.Many customers purchasingperiod homes want to replicate the era oftheir homes, furnish it sympathetically andmake a feature of something that isessentially functional such as tie-backsand buttons.”

U&SF takes a look at fastenings and finishes and offers a special report on changesset to affect the way fabrics are surface treated.

Finishing touches


The Finishing Touch - Buttons

FASTEN-ATING

ON GUARD

Euroflam has been treatingfurnishing fabrics for 20years with fluorochemicals,

during which time there havebeen several changes to boththe chemicals and the quality ofthe finish available.Manymembers may

remember C10 technology being replacedby C8 a few years ago, C8 currently beingthe most widely usedmethod of treatingthe whole surface of a fabric with soil andstain repellents.Thanks to the industry’s programme of

continuous improvement to reduce itsimpact on environment, the EU hasidentified that C8 compounds containdetectable levels of P.F.O.A. (perfluoro

octanoic acid) and that whilst noconcerns about C8 use have beenconfirmed, it is persistent in theenvironment and can take up to200 years to biodegrade.By 2012, C8 will be phased out

and replaced with C6 technology,which has no detectable levels of

P/F.O.A, a method by which each individualfibre is treated. It is available at the momentbut for a slightly higher cost, around 25%more than C8. But as C6 becomes theindustry ‘norm’ this price is set to fall.C6 does not affect the aesthetics of a

fabric nor the wear of it. It offers animproved performance on a wide range offabrics for natural, blends or synthetic fibresas it covers each fibre of the material rather

than a film over the top. All the ingredientsare covered by the REACH requirement fortheir use within the E.U.The treatments which use this kind of

technology fall into different categories:• Soil release - normally used on fabrics forclothing, this helps to release the stainsduring the washing process.• Stain repellent - a balance between waterand oil-based soiling, this is mostcommonly used on furnishing fabricsand carpets.• Water only - this covers fabric to be usedoutdoors such as clothing, tenting orfurniture.To find out if your materials are protected

using C6 or C8 compounds simply askyour supplier.

Alan Eyers of Euroflam

Theway inwhich furnishing fabrics are treatedwith soil and stain repellents is set to change by 2012,the deadline set by the EU formaking new and improved technologies the norm.Alan Eyers, operationsdirector for Euroflam, explainswhy that’s good news for both the industry and the environment.

“

”

22_USF040510:22 15/4/10 12:21

[email protected]

Phone: 01903 202008 Fax: 01903 200663

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! Chair Frames! Sofa Frames! Cabinets! Tables

Other in houseservices include:! CNC Machining! Polishing! Upholstery

23_USF040510:17 23/4/10 16:08 Page 1

WhenDes Fanning’sphotograph of the GloverBros workshop was taken,

the pattern of an upholsteryworkshop was firmly fixed. In the1820’s, the introduction of coiledsprings had led to a dramatic changein upholstery techniques.Until then, upholstery was fairly

elementary and mostly consisted ofmaterial stretched over woodenframes or squab cushions. The wholesystem was hierarchical. Only the betteroff could afford to have their chairscovered. The higher up the social ladder aperson went, the more luxurious hisfurniture became.The majority of people in those days

were at the lower end of the social scaleand owned wooden seating furniture. Themost common seating object was thestool which was known as far back as2980 B.C. in Egypt. In this country stools

were in general use from the Normanperiod.The introduction of the coiled spring in

the 1820’s got off to a slow start, but by1830 Louden, in his Encyclopaedia ofCottage Farm and Villa Furniture, statedthat they could be had by the hundred-weight, and he described the method ofusing them as ‘…placed side by side oninterlaced webbing strained to a frameand then confined by cords to one height

and covered by canvas strained tightlyover them’.This is nothing new to anyone who

practices traditional upholstery. But,before this upholstery was not much inevidence and neither was the upholsterer.His work was done by the upholder forwhom covering chairs was but a verysmall part of his trade. He was, in fact, ageneral house furnisher. One such wasupholder R. Campbell. In 1774 hedescribed his business as furnishing ahouse with every article it required. Healso stated that ‘the stuffing and coveringof a chair or settee-bed can be donewithout any remarkable genius, and that agood hand at this is paid twelve or fifteenshillings a week. Women, if good foranything, get a shilling a day.’In its turn the coiled spring changed all

that. Basic tools were needed: rippingchisel and mallet; tack hammer and webstrainer, as advertised in 19th centurycatalogues. Various types of needles andregulators were needed as well as skewersand shears. Some of these can be seen inthe Glover photograph, as well as trestletype benches. There is also a slow-burningstove for heat and melting Scotch glue.Note also, the bits of canvas and twinehanging from the ceiling.I would have thought I would have

been quite at home in the workshop inthe photograph, even as far as the toolsthere were concerned when I began myapprenticeship!

* The Rev Herbert White began hisapprenticeship as an upholsterer in 1945with I.C. Fuzzey in Guernsey. After six years inthe trade he left to train as a Methodistminister and launched into church work untilhe retired. However he retained his interestand skills running adult upholstery classes atthe Somerset College of Arts and Technology.

EVERY PICTURETELLS A STORYA turn of the century picture of the Glover Bros workshop featured in a recent ‘MemoryLane’ article struck a nostalgic chord with one of our readers and prompted Rev. HerbertWhite* to get in touch with a brief history of the upholsterer…

Memory Lane


Glover Bros Newington Butts upholstery workshop, c.1902

House furnishing firm I C Fuzzey in Guersey where Rev. Whitebegan his apprenticeship in 1945

“

”

24_USF040510:24 15/4/10 12:08

Singer OverlockerModel 246K20

Good working orderand mounted on

small purpose madebench with light.

£150-00 onoPhone 01823/490362

(Taunton)

Total Textile Treatments:Flame Retarding, Water,Soil & Stain Resistant,Antibacterial, Sample

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Contact:T: 02392594313

[email protected]

Unit G1, Hazleton InterchangeIndustrial Estate, Lakesmere Rd.,

Horndean, Hants. PO8 9JU

Tel: 0208 533 0915 Fax: 0208 985 2953Email: [email protected] Web:www.sofachairs.co.uk

Poetstyle

PPooeettssttyyllee are manufacturingupholsterers making all

types of seating

Banquettes, Sofabeds, Sofas and Arm Chairs

All enquires welcome at Poetstyle Ltd, Unit 1, Bayford Street, Industrial Centre, Mare Street, Hackney, London EB 3SE

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25_USF040510:25 23/4/10 16:26 Page 1

Q & A


How would you like to be remembered?What a chance for self glorification - the very thought of whichis embarrassing to me! Just these words would justify myexistence: ‘a considerate soul, most of the time!’

How would teachers at school have described you?I like to think as a reasonably responsible pupil, middle streamacademically but having potential to lead. Regretfully, this traitwas exposed when accused with two friends at our co-ed schoolcamp, of raising items of young ladies underwear to the top ofthe flagpole on the night before Valentines day. For those of anenquiring mind, the items were donated!

Your greatest regret?Having to confess to the ignominy of above.

How did you get into this business?I left school in 1942 wishing to enter the family upholstery andsoft furnishing business, but my father wisely sent me to theSavoy Hotel to learn about the business. The Savoy, at that time,had its own soft furnishing and upholstery workrooms to carryout maintenance. In the two years I was there, I learned thetechniques of upholstery, soft furnishing and carpet laying.After demob. from the army in 1948 I rejoined the familybusiness, although my father wished me to stay in the army fora secure life!

Is your glass half full or half empty?Half full. Like Mr Micawber, always waiting for something toturn up.

Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?A gentleman by the name of Jimmy Driscoll, an unsung hero inmy life, who became foreman upholsterer in our company. Bornwith curvature of the spine, he treated this as a mereinconvenience that should not prevent him carrying out anytask, be it heavy lifting or climbing scaffolding to carry out wallcovering. What’s more, he was kind, considerate and his ‘you cando it’ approach has helped me through the trials and tribulationsof life. He met death with equal fortitude.

Your perfect day?My perfect day now that I am retired (so called) would be asunny one in early May, when the rhododendrons are full offlower, the lawns lush and green and the flower beds neat andtidy. I sit at ease with time to watch the cavorting blue tits andbossy blackbirds competing for food nearby. The Times

crossword, partiallycompleted, is lying onthe table beside me,next to a heavy glasstumbler filled with an icecool gin and tonic. In thebackground I hear thesound of plates beinggathered and know myblissful reverie is aboutto be shattered with thegentle command: “Willyou wash up or wipe!”

Your desert island disc?Mozart piano concertosplayed by Alfred Brendel.

What is the best thing about our industry?Undoubtedly its diversity and the challenge of solving designand manufacturing problems, together with the variousskills required to carry out a task to perfection. An excellentindustry for young people who aspire to become craftsmenand women.

The worst?The upholsterer who sacrifices his skill to produce a piece ofwork to the lowest possible price and standard.

What would you change?My wish in this respect is not so much a change but a reversionto a form of apprenticeship for craft industries funded by thenational exchequer, the parent or employee for olderparticipants and the employer.

Tell me a secret?I enjoy a whisky and water at bed time.

What winds you up?Folk who talk loudly on their mobile phones in crowded trains.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction?To see my son and daughter carrying on our business into thethird generation.

Doer or talker?Definitely doer. I generally find I talk unconvincingly.

IN THE HOTSEAT.......WITH BERTRAM CHAPMAN MBE. FAMU, FRSA,

PAST PRESIDENT OF AMUSF

26_USF040510:26 15/4/10 12:09

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upholsterer · 2017. 12. 20. · family run, upholstery and soft furnishing business with a long...

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