Detailing guide
We use many upholstery details on the furniture in our standard collection and on our bespoke work. The following details some of our most commonly used and beautiful detailing.
This page is intended as an educational tool rather than a fully comprehensive list.
Stitching
Plain Stitch
Joining seam with no visible detailing.
- Basic construction stitch.
Half Cricket Ball Stitch
Single stitch to one side of structural stitch.
- The single stitch lays both of the underside fabric flanges neatly to the same side, giving great structural strength and a very clean border fit over a curved or square upholstery edge.
Full Cricket Ball Stitch
Twin stitch either side of structural stitch.
- The twin stitch can be achieved with a single needle sewing foot especially when sewing around corners or curves, or with a twin needle sewing machine on straighter runs.
- The twin stitch lays each of the underside fabric flanges neatly to achieve a consistently flat appearance over the seam.
- Cricket ball stitching may have additional reinforcement by means of a stout linen tape, which is applied on the reverse and sewn through when the stitch is applied.
Stitching examples
The Full Cricket ball stitch runs horizontally over the surface of the seat, laying the fabric neatly to the point where it meets the half cricket ball stitch, joining it to the front border fabric.
In this example, the front border panel has a plain seam.
This detail is possible in a softer fabric such as this suede. (A stronger fabric could give a raised effect to a plain seam)
The shaped side border has half cricket ball stitch on the upholstery face.
The Davison Highley ‘Gallery’ detail comprises a centre section with a full cricket ball stitch with plain seam run to the border.
The transition is located with a blind tie.
Upholstery details
American Blind Tufting
Back-sewn tufting, pre-cut and shaped panels.
- Panels shaped, cut and sewn.
- Secured with blind ties (a cord connected to the upholstery is pulled back and fixed to the frame)
- Good definition (30mm+).
- Works well with softer foams and fillings.
Simple blind tie
Lightly-shaped shallow blind tie.
- Panels shaped, cut and sewn.
- Secured with Blind ties (a cord connected to the upholstery is pulled back and fixed to the frame).
- Shallow definition (10-15mm).
- Works well with firmer foams and fillings
Linear blind tie
Larger panels are sewn and tied to create linear definition.
- Blind ties with plain seams.
- Locates leather and fabric surfaces.
- Helps relieve ‘puddling’.
- Lays flat.
Gallery blind stitch
Full Cricket-ball / plain edge stitch with blind tie.
- Blind ties with full cricket-ball and plain seams.
- Locates leather and fabric surfaces.
- Helps relieve ‘puddling’.
- Lays flat.
Headline cross stitch
‘X’ stitch detail to edge border.
- Decorative ‘X’ stitch.
- Purely decorative.
- Constrasting cotton can be used to enhance this feature.
Half back buttoning
Pre-fitted sewn-in half diamond buttoning.
- Contemporary version of Victorian buttoning.
- Effective and less labour intensive than Victorian buttoning
Float buttoning
Buttons lightly pulled into surface. No pleating or stitching.
- Purely decorative.
- Buttons have no mechanical function.
Standard Quilting
Quilted panels with a sewn through finish and contemporary look, such as diamond, horizontal or vertical lines.
- Suitable for flat surfaces.
- Not suitable on curves.
Hand filled flutes
Individually filled flutes with good definition and traditional finish.
- Traditional process offering good fluted definition
- Labour intensive technique and costly.
Individual ‘D’ rolls
Individually upholstered ‘D’ rolls assembled to form vertical backrest.
- Looks spectacular.
- Premium upholstery detail.
- Time consuming.
Tiered double roll back
Back rolls constructed and upholstered individually.
- Attractive and robust.
- Excellent for curves.
- Good for challenging fabrics.
- Visually appealing from the back.