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January 10, 2008
Source for upholstery fabric; uphosterer
I have done some research on fabrics for reupholstering some chairs I bought from Eddie Hibbard -- they are women's club chairs - very lovely French style shape -- but need to be reupholstered. I am looking for Linen/silk blend fabric and checked at Beckensteins (W 20th St) in Manhattan. They had some nice stuff, but off the charts expensive. Their reuphostery charges are also extremely expensive as well (650 per chair exclusive of fabric). Some people on Brownstoner have recommended Das as a good uphosterer.
Might any of you recommend a source for fabric and/or an upholsterer with whom you have had a good experience? Thanks so much for your help.
Comments
Yep, once Beckenstein moved to their new digs from the LES, they became fancy and unaffordable. It used to be such a great place. Here are some recommendations:
Fabrics:
Zarin's and Joe's Fabric (closed on Saturday) on the LES. Both are good, but Zarin's upstairs discount warehouse is really good. You generally will be able to find very high quality fabrics in the $25-$45 range.
For more contemporary stuff, try Mood Fabrics in midtown.
For upholstery, check out Spence on Myrtle between Hall and Washington on the north side of the street. He doesn't have a phone in the shop--you need to stop by when he's there, which is most days and Saturday morning. He's very, very reasonable, but you have to know what you want.
Good luck.
Posted by: tinarina at January 10, 2008 3:28 PM
I second the motion on Harry Zarin on Grand St, Lower East Side. Their upstairs "warehouse" is fully stocked with first quality fabrics at great prices. I've purchased Waverly fabric (for drapes/pillow shams that I made myself) at $15 yd versus the regular retail price of $45 yd.
Posted by: guest at January 10, 2008 3:50 PM
Thanks very much. I was looking at a silk/linen blend - they wanted 95 dollars a yard at Beckensteins! I will check out Spence as well. Thank you.
Posted by: donatella at January 10, 2008 4:28 PM
I can recommend a very good upholsterer. He's on Cortelyou Road between Rugby and Argyle, a few doors down from the food co-op. He is very reasonable and does excellent work. He has many fabrics, plus he can order what ever you want. Check him out. We had two chairs re-done, and he did a great job.
Posted by: guest at January 10, 2008 6:48 PM
Hi Donatella--
One other thing worth mentioning--as beautiful as it may be, an all cotton/linen blend may not be the best upholstery fabric. It's very strong and will clean well, but it also frays. Keep your eye out for the linen/cotton look you want, with a bit of poly thrown in. Unlike fashion fabrics, some poly is not a bad thing in upholstery, IMO.
Have fun shopping! I love looking for fabric!
Posted by: tinarina at January 10, 2008 9:17 PM
I had four old chairs reupholstered at a place on Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, around 75-77th street. Nice job and about $75 per wood kitchen chair (seats only on each).
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 8:46 AM
Thanks again and I will look at the blends, Tinarina. I am guessing that the person on Cortelyou road is Das - he has been written about in the archives. I will check some of this out this weekend. Thanks very much.
Posted by: donatella at January 11, 2008 9:46 AM
I had nearly the same project you are describing. After a lot of researching I used Teddy's Upholstery in Bay Ridge. He was great, came over, gave me an estimate for both chairs that was very affordable, took the two chairs in his van, and dropped them back off 4 days later, beautifully done, whereupon I paid him for his services.
I provided fabric that I ordered in advance from jandofabrics.com (whom I would also recommend). It's the website for a brick and mortar South Jersey fabric superstore. They can order fabrics that they don't have in stock with cut-rate prices, and fast delivery, and they are very responsive via email. You can look at their website and if you don't find what you need just email them a description or picture and they will get back to you right away.
Teddy contact info: 505 73rd St
Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718) 836-0005
Best of luck!
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 10:08 AM
The shop on Cortelyou is called DAS Upholstery.
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 2:03 PM
I too have been satisfied with Harry Zarin's and will be returning there shortly. Just keep in mind that not all fabrics are tough enough for upholstry.
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 4:05 PM
Since you are discusing home furnishings fabric try the baltic bazaar at 141 atlantic avenue. Huge designer selection for low prices.
Baltic bazaar is a thrift shop that donates all their money to charity to run programs in brooklyn.
Posted by: Ysabelle at January 11, 2008 4:33 PM
Im one of those who recommended Das in the past. I entrusted a late 18th century English sofa to him and he did a very good, very fast job on it. Two-three years later, it's still looking great. There are no seat or back cushions on the sofa so any sagging -- especially of the seat edge -- would be all too visible. But there's been none which I'm really happy about.
As to fabrics, try some of the streets in the fashion district btw 7th and 8th Aves, especially just north of Macy's. They are all a mess but they do have a great selection. And, surprisingly, there are occasionally quite well priced fabrics -- along with stuff going for silly prices -- in the basement of ABC Carpet.
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 7:01 PM
DAS is excellent. I live upthe block from
him and tease him that I am going to become his apprentice. I usually get my fabrics from The Fabric Warehouse which is located in Rahway NJ. They also have a store in Belleville. They have top of the line designer fabrics at a fraction of the price of the stores mentioned in previous posts. They even have 40-50% off sales every so often. This means that a fabric that sells for 50 per yard in the city and is regularly 25 per yard at the Fabric Warehouse will go for 12.50 per yard. They started selling their fabrics on ebay last year and will ship locally free. I don't know how to make the site link to this post but I am sure that you will find it with the info given here.
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:07 PM
Wow. This is great. I'll check into these suggestions and post pictures of the chairs when they are done. Thanks.
Posted by: donatella at January 11, 2008 11:24 PM
Great thread! I love fabrics and have checked out Baltic Bazaar twice. I love the fact that the income goes to a good cause, but the selection is unimpressive unless you need a half-yard or so for pillows, accessories, etc.
Their selection of bolts of fabrics with 5+ yards is pretty slim--it's not worth a special trip, IMO.
Posted by: tinarina at January 12, 2008 9:22 PM
I also got very good prices on upholstery fabric in the shops on lower Broadway, just below Canal. P&S Fabric was one of them.
Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:08 PM
Hello,
I just tried to call Teddy's in Bay Ridge and the phone number doesn't work. Anone know how to reach him, or if he is still in business?
Any other suggestions for a good upholsterer?
Thank you!
LK
Posted by: LK at August 18, 2008 2:18 PM
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http://www.anythingupholstery.com
Posted by: upholstery01 at May 30, 2009 1:51 AM
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