Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Senior Secondary 1
Parts of Upholstery Work
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Parts of Upholstery Work
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Subject: Upholstery
Class: Senior Secondary 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 2
Theme: Upholstery Construction
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
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Distinguishbetweenparts of up holsterywork. Identify agiven part of up holsterywork. Statecommonmaterialsused for each part.
Upholstery Construction Parts of Upholstery Work Term: 2nd Term Week: 18 ---
1. Overview and Learning Objectives This topic introduces students to the fundamental components that make up any upholstered furniture item. Understanding the individual parts of upholstery work is crucial for effective furniture design, construction, repair, and maintenance. It provides the foundational knowledge required for students to progress in their practical upholstery skills and opens avenues for entrepreneurship in furniture making and restoration, a vital sector of the Nigerian economy. Familiarity with these parts also enables informed decision-making when purchasing or commissioning upholstered furniture, ensuring quality and durability. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: Clearly differentiate between various components found in upholstered furniture. Accurately point out and name specific parts of upholstery work on a given piece of furniture or diagram. List and describe the common materials typically used for each identified part, appreciating their function and properties. (Connecting to real-world applications) Apply this knowledge in future upholstery projects, furniture repair, or when advising customers on furniture quality and maintenance within local Nigerian contexts.
2. Key Concepts and Explanations Upholstery work involves covering furniture frames with fabric or leather, often with padding and springs, to make it soft and comfortable. This lesson focuses on the internal and external components that constitute a complete upholstered piece. The parts work in synergy to provide comfort, support, durability, and aesthetic appeal. 2.
1. The Frame Definition: The skeletal structure of the upholstered furniture, providing its basic shape, strength, and support. It is the foundation upon which all other upholstery parts are built.
Function: To give the furniture its form, bear the weight of users, and withstand the stresses of daily use.
Common Materials: Hardwood: Most durable and preferred (e.g., Iroko, Mahogany, Apa, Teak – commonly found and used in Nigeria). Provides excellent stability and longevity.
Softwood: Less durable, often used for cheaper furniture or non-load-bearing parts (e.g., plywood, particle board, pine). May be treated to increase strength.
Metal: Steel or aluminum frames are used for modern designs, offering strength and lighter weight, though less common in traditional Nigerian upholstery workshops for frames.
Example Context: A local carpenter in Aba or Lagos making a sofa frame would typically use dried Iroko wood for its robustness and resistance to termites. 2.
2. Webbing / Springs Definition: These are support systems attached to the frame to provide initial resilience and prevent the padding from sinking directly onto the hard frame. They form the base for the cushioning.
Function: To provide flexibility, bounce, and support for the seat, back, and sometimes arms of the furniture, distributing weight evenly.
Common Materials: Webbing: Jute Webbing: Traditional, natural fiber webbing. Strong and durable, often used with coil springs. Common in older furniture and traditional Nigerian designs.
Pirelli Webbing (Rubber Webbing): Modern, elastic rubber strips. Provides good bounce and is easier to install. Widely used in contemporary furniture production in Nigeria.
Synthetic Webbing: Made from polypropylene or polyester, offering good strength and resistance to moisture.
Springs: Coil Springs (Cone Springs): Individual coiled springs tied together, providing deep, luxurious support. More labour-intensive to install.
Zigzag Springs (No-Sag Springs): S-shaped springs attached horizontally across the frame. Easier to install than coil springs, providing firm, consistent support. Very common in Nigerian mass-produced furniture.
Pocket Springs: Individual springs encased in fabric pockets, often used in cushions for localized support.
Example Context: A student repairing an old Nigerian armchair might find jute webbing and coil springs, while a new, factory-made sofa would likely feature zigzag springs. 2.
3. Padding / Filling Material Definition: Layers of soft material placed over the webbing/springs and frame to provide comfort, shape, and smooth out the contours of the furniture.
Function: To create a comfortable seating surface, shape the furniture, and prevent the user from feeling the hard frame or springs.
Common Materials: Foam (Polyurethane Foam): Most common filling material in Nigeria. Available in various densities (soft, medium, hard) and grades. High-density foam is preferred for seats due to durability. Low-density for backrests. *Wadding (Polyester likely feature zigzag springs. 2.
3. Padding / Filling Material Definition: Layers of soft material placed over the webbing/springs and frame to provide comfort, shape, and smooth out the contours of the furniture.
Function: To create a comfortable seating surface, shape the furniture, and prevent the user from feeling the hard frame or springs.
Common Materials: Foam (Polyurethane Foam): Most common filling material in Nigeria. Available in various densities (soft, medium, hard) and grades. High-density foam is preferred for seats due to durability. Low-density for backrests.
Wadding (Polyester Fibrefill/Dacron): Soft, fluffy material used as a top layer over foam to create a softer feel and round out edges. Prevents fabric from rubbing directly on foam.
Felt: Compressed natural or synthetic fibres, often used as an insulating layer between springs and foam or as a firm padding layer.
Cotton Wadding (Kapok): Natural fibre, traditionally used, but can flatten over time. Still found in some local craft furniture.
Hair (Rubberised Horsehair/Coconut Fibre): Traditional, durable filling, though less common now due to cost and availability. Provides excellent ventilation. Coconut fibre (coir) is a locally available alternative.
Example Context: A typical Nigerian sofa cushion will have a core of high-density foam wrapped in polyester wadding to give it a plush, rounded appearance. 2.
4. Interliner / Scrim Definition: A thin layer of fabric placed between the padding and the top cover fabric.
Function: To provide a smooth surface for the top fabric, prevent the top fabric from directly touching and abrading the padding, help shape the furniture, and sometimes act as a fire barrier. It also helps in ease of re-upholstering by keeping padding contained.
Common Materials: Muslin: A plain-woven cotton fabric.
Calico: An unbleached, unfinished cotton fabric.
Non-woven Fabric (Spunbond Polypropylene): A synthetic, lightweight material, very common due to its cost-effectiveness.
Example Context: An upholsterer in Lagos might use a non-woven scrim over the foam padding before stretching the final Ankara fabric. 2.
5. Cover Fabric / Top Fabric Definition: The outermost visible layer of material that covers the entire upholstered piece.
Function: To provide the aesthetic finish, protect the inner components, and contribute to the overall comfort and style of the furniture.
Common Materials: Brocade: Rich, heavy fabric with a raised pattern, often used for luxury items.
Damask: Patterned fabric woven with a jacquard loom, reversible.
Velvet: Soft, cut pile fabric, luxurious feel.
Leather/Faux Leather: Durable, easy to clean, often used for commercial or high-end residential furniture.
Ankara (African Wax Print): Popular in Nigeria for contemporary and culturally inspired furniture designs, offering vibrant patterns.
Aso-Oke: Hand-woven fabric, sometimes used for accent pieces or culturally specific designs.
Cotton/Linen Blends: Natural fibres, breathable, available in various weaves.
Microfibre: Synthetic, durable, stain-resistant, and soft.
Example Context: A Nigerian home might feature sofas upholstered in durable patterned damask or vibrant Ankara fabric, reflecting local tastes. 2.
6. Decking Definition: The fabric covering the seat platform directly under loose cushions.
Function: To conceal the springs or webbing beneath the loose cushions, providing a neat and finished appearance. It also protects the cushion from rubbing directly on the support system.
Common Materials: Usually a durable, less expensive fabric that matches the main cover fabric or a plain, dark-coloured fabric like black sateen or woven polypropylene.
Example Context: On a sofa with removable seat cushions, the decking ensures that when the cushions are lifted, the underlying structure is not exposed. 2.
7. Cushions Definition: Padded elements, either fixed to the frame or loose, providing additional comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Function: To enhance comfort, provide lumbar or arm support, and contribute to the furniture's overall design.
Common Materials: Foam Core: High-density foam blocks forming the core of the cushion.
Fibre Wrap/Wadding: Polyester fibre used to wrap foam cores, giving a softer feel and rounded look.
Feather/Down: Luxurious but expensive filling, offering extreme softness.
Mixed Fillings: Combinations of foam and fibre, or foam and feathers, to achieve specific comfort levels.
Example Context: Most Nigerian sofa cushions use a or loose, providing additional comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Function: To enhance comfort, provide lumbar or arm support, and contribute to the furniture's overall design.
Common Materials: Foam Core: High-density foam blocks forming the core of the cushion.
Fibre Wrap/Wadding: Polyester fibre used to wrap foam cores, giving a softer feel and rounded look.
Feather/Down: Luxurious but expensive filling, offering extreme softness.
Mixed Fillings: Combinations of foam and fibre, or foam and feathers, to achieve specific comfort levels.
Example Context: Most Nigerian sofa cushions use a foam core wrapped in polyester wadding for a balance of support and softness. 2.
8. Trim and Finishing Materials Definition: Decorative and functional elements used to give the upholstered piece a neat, finished, and aesthetically pleasing look.
Function: To conceal raw edges of fabric, strengthen seams, add decorative accents, and improve overall appearance.
Common Materials: Gimp/Braid: Narrow, decorative woven strips used to cover staples or tacks, especially around exposed wood frames.
Cording/Piping: Fabric-covered cord used along seams for definition and strength.
Decorative Nails/Tacks: Used for aesthetic appeal and to secure fabric, especially on traditional furniture.
Tack Strip: Metal or cardboard strips used to create straight, clean edges on fabric where it is folded and secured.
Dust Cover (Bottom Cloth): A thin fabric covering the underside of the furniture to enclose the bottom of the frame and webbing, preventing dust ingress and giving a finished look. Often black non-woven fabric.
Example Context: An upholsterer might use decorative brass nails along the armrest of a chair, or piping along the edges of the seat cushions to give it a tailored finish. 2.
9. Legs / Feet Definition: The structural supports that elevate the upholstered piece off the floor.
Function: To raise the furniture to a comfortable height, provide stability, and contribute to the overall style.
Common Materials: Wood: Carved or turned wood (e.g., Mahogany, Iroko) is traditional and popular in Nigeria.
Metal: Chrome, steel, or brass, often seen in modern designs.
Plastic: Less durable, used for very budget-friendly furniture or hidden glides.
Casters: Wheels that allow furniture to be easily moved.
Example Context: Many Nigerian traditional chairs feature beautifully carved wooden legs that complement the overall design.
3. Teaching and Learning Activities 3.
1. Teacher Activities Introduction (10 minutes): Review previous knowledge on types of upholstery (e.g., traditional, modern). Engage students by asking them to identify common furniture items in their homes (sofas, chairs) and briefly discuss what they imagine is inside.
Introduce the topic: "Parts of Upholstery Work," highlighting its importance for understanding furniture construction and repair.
Presentation and Explanation (25 minutes): Display a dismantled upholstered item (if available) or large, clear diagrams/charts of an upholstered chair/sofa showing its cross-section. Systematically explain each part of upholstery work (Frame, Webbing/Springs, Padding, Interliner, Cover Fabric, Decking, Cushions, Trim, Legs) as detailed in Section
2. For each part, explain its function and show samples of common materials used (e.g., wood offcuts, pieces of jute webbing, foam samples, fabric swatches, decorative nails). Emphasize Nigerian relevance for materials and craftsmanship.
Demonstration (15 minutes): Using the dismantled item or a detailed diagram, point to each part and ask students to identify it and state its function/material. Show how different materials (e.g., high-density foam vs. low-density foam, various webbing types) are differentiated.
Facilitation and Guidance (15 minutes): Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). Provide each group with either an old, small upholstered item (e.g., a stool, a cushion) for observation, or detailed pictures/diagrams of upholstered furniture. Instruct groups to identify as many parts as they can and list common materials for each. Circulate among groups, providing clarification, answering questions, and checking understanding.
Consolidation (5 minutes): Invite groups to share their findings. Summarize key points, reiterating the names, functions, and materials of the major upholstery parts. 3.
2. Student Activities Actively participate in the introductory discussion and review. Observe teacher's presentation and explanation, taking notes on the different parts, their functions, and common