Webbing & Hessian
Webbing and hessian form the foundation of every traditionally upholstered piece. These materials create the support platform on which springs, stuffing, and fabric are built.
Jute webbing is the backbone of traditional upholstery. Woven from natural jute fibre, it is stretched across the seat frame in an interlocking grid pattern and tacked firmly in place. This woven platform supports the springs and distributes weight evenly, providing the resilient base that gives traditionally upholstered furniture its characteristic comfort and longevity. English-made black and white herringbone webbing remains the industry standard for quality work.
Elastic webbing offers a modern alternative, particularly suited to contemporary furniture with slimmer frames where traditional springing is not practical. Pirelli-style rubber webbing and woven elastic webbing provide good support with less depth, making them popular for mid-century designs and compact seating. They are also used on backs and arms where a softer, more flexible support is appropriate.
Hessian is the coarse woven jute cloth laid over the webbing platform before springs and stuffing are applied. It prevents filling from falling through the webbing gaps and provides a stable surface for stitching and shaping. We supply both lightweight hessian for covering springs and heavy-weight tarpaulin hessian for use as a primary support layer in seats and backs.