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Glossary

Bias Cut
Fabric cut diagonally across the weave, used for smoother curves and corners.
Bottoming Cloth
A dust cover fabric attached to the underside of a seat to give a neat finish.
Buttoning
A decorative technique where fabric is pulled through padding and secured with buttons, creating a tufted pattern.
Calico
A plain-woven cotton fabric used as an under-cover before the final fabric is applied.
Cambric
A tightly woven cotton cloth used as a dust cover or cushion casing.
Chamfer
An angled edge cut into wood frame corners to reduce bulk under fabric.
Close Nailing
Decorative nails placed close together to create a continuous line along edges.
Coil Springs
Traditional metal springs used in seat construction, available in different gauges for varying firmness.
Crown
The highest point of a stuffed seat cushion, deliberately built up to account for compression over time.
Drop-in Seat
A seat pad that sits within a frame and can be lifted out for re-covering.
Feather Wrap
A layer of feathers and down wrapped around a foam core to create a soft, luxurious cushion.
Gimp
A decorative braid used to cover tack lines and raw fabric edges.
Hair Stuffing
Natural horsehair or hog hair used as traditional padding, prized for its resilience and breathability.
Hessian
A coarse woven fabric made from jute, used as a base layer in traditional upholstery.
Interliner
A fire-retardant barrier fabric placed between filling and cover fabric to meet safety regulations.
Jute
A natural plant fibre used to make hessian and webbing for upholstery foundations.
Loose Cover
A removable fabric cover made to fit over upholstered furniture, also known as a slipcover.
Martindale
A measure of fabric durability — the higher the number, the more resistant to wear. 30,000+ is suitable for heavy domestic use.
Piping
A fabric-covered cord sewn into seams to create a defined edge and add structure.
Re-webbing
Replacing the woven webbing strips that form the foundation support of a seat.
Ripping Chisel
A specialist tool used to remove old tacks and staples during stripping.
Scroll Arm
A curved, rolled arm shape commonly found on traditional sofas and armchairs.
Serpentine Springs
S-shaped metal springs used in modern furniture construction as an alternative to coil springs.
Stitched Edge
A firm, shaped edge created by stitching through stuffing to build up and hold the shape of a seat or back.
Stockinette
A stretchy tubular knitted fabric used as a protective layer over foam.
Tacking Strip
A cardboard strip with pre-inserted tacks, used for a clean finish when attaching fabric.
Tufting
Similar to buttoning but without visible buttons — the fabric is pulled through to create a dimpled surface.
Wadding
Soft padding material (polyester or cotton) placed over foam or springs to smooth the surface.
Webbing
Woven strips of jute or elastic that form the structural foundation of a seat.
Welt
Another term for piping — a decorative and structural cord covered in fabric.