Reupholster the Camberwell lounge suite

You are an upholsterer in the Upholstery and Soft Furnishings workroom.

Simulated workplaceIntermediate missionCAQA Craftline Furnishing

What is going on

A private customer in Camberwell has sent in a three seat lounge and two armchairs for recovering in their own linen fabric, and the job is logged as JO-26-1051 with 22 metres of 140 centimetre wide fabric received. The frames are twenty years old with sagging seat cushions and the customer has asked whether there will be enough fabric left for a matching scatter cushion. Renee Okafor wants the existing condition documented before anything is stripped, because the customer has previously disputed a repair. The workroom has high resilience foam in stock and the contact adhesive safety data sheet is on the wall. The job is due on 30 September.

Renee Okafor, Upholstery Team Leader
Subject: Camberwell lounge suite reupholstery

The Camberwell customer's three seat lounge and two armchairs (JO-26-1051) arrived this morning with 22 metres of their own linen. Before you strip anything, photograph each piece and note the condition on the job order. Then plan the cutting layout from the fabric width, strip the old covers, check the frames and webbing, replace the foam if it has collapsed, and fit the new covers. Keep the offcuts because the customer wants a matching cushion if there is enough fabric.

Your brief

Assess and document the condition of each piece, plan a cutting layout that makes the customer's fabric go as far as possible, strip and repair the frames and foundations, cut and sew the covers, fit and finish them to a professional standard and tell the customer whether a matching cushion is possible.

Work through it

You do not need to do it all. Doing a few of these will show you what the work is like. Your ticks and notes stay on this device.

Photograph each piece and record the frame, foundation, foam and cover condition in the job order notes for JO-26-1051 before stripping.
Measure every cover panel and prepare a cutting plan on the 140 centimetre fabric width, noting pattern direction and the fabric left for a cushion.
Strip the old covers, inspect webbing, springs and frame joints, and requisition high resilience foam and any repair materials on the materials requisition form.
Read the hazardous substances policy and the contact adhesive safety data sheet, then apply new foundations and foam with the correct gloves and ventilation.
Cut and machine sew the new covers, then fit them with even tension, aligned seams and clean corners on each piece.
Apply finishing techniques including piping, base cloth and legs, inspect the pieces under the workroom lights and record any rework.
Update the job order to Ready for dispatch and write a short note to the customer about the remaining fabric and cushion option.

My notes: what did I enjoy, and what surprised me?

What someone in this role would produce

Condition assessment with photographs in the job order
Cutting plan with fabric usage calculation
Materials requisition form
Finished pieces inspected by the team leader
Customer note about the remaining fabric

Printing this is a record of what you explored. It is not a certificate or a qualification.