I have several projects in the works that I am currently planning, one of which is rebuilding my La-Z-Boy recliner.
Yes, this is a La-Z-Boy, brand. The wood frame was not well belt and has disintegrated, destroying the fabric as well. Don’t trust the La-Z-Boy warranty!!
Anyhow, I am planning to build a new frame for it out of aluminum tool plate in the Machine Shop, using the broken wood parts as templates.
Is there anyone at the “Space” who is a professional Upholster who can recover this recliner? The original fabric is a Scotch Guard brown/tan microfiber. If no one is available, can someone recommend a shop or individual?
I am willing to pay, or help out with a project you may be in need of.
Is this something you have an emotional attachment to or do you really want to learn furniture? I ask because I got a few quotes to reupholster our chaise and it was only marginally cheaper than buying new steel frame version on a sale. Then I priced out stock to do the same and after factoring time was still a break even project after factoring in the hours.
No emotional attachment. A very comfortable chair that I really enjoyed and is a perfect fit for me!
I do not have disposable cash to shell out for a new chair that will fall apart in due time. This recliner was close to $1000.00 when I purchased it new. It is very economical for me to rebuild the frame out of materials that will last a lifetime. The question is the cost of the upholstery job. The reclining mechanism is in excellent condition. 'Tis the wood frame that came apart, destroying the fabric in the process.
I did a stint working with an upholsterer years ago and the best suggestion I can offer is take all the fabric apart at the seams and right there is your cut pattern for new fabric. Other random tips: If you need to make cording, use a walking foot on the sewing machine. A staple gun is your friend. There’s a thingy in the inside edges of some places (ie like the top back edge of a couch) where its a smooth tight edge–inside there’s a strip of cardboard with small tacks. That’s the bomb for clean look and things placed right. Can get at place that supplies upholstery. So pay attention if it has any of that and replace it. Pay attention to the logical orders of the layers when you take it apart, then reverse course. Take pics. If buying patterned fabric, much like any sewing, be sure to get extra to match pattern (like 20%). Don’t use regular sewing thread, you need the heavier stuff. Cutting Corners down in Carrollton with have pretfy much any fabric and supplies you need. Might not be cheapest if you shop around but it’s one-stop shopping. It is incredibly helpful to have a raised platform to put the furniture on when messing with it instead if standing on head constantly. Re-upholstery is actually kinda fun if you sew. Not hard, just methodical. It is crazy easy since you have the exact pattern from old fabric. The most awkward thing is manipulating large item, but a good setup makes it a cool satisfying project.
Understood. Upholstery will cost you about the same. I know the steel recliner mine hubby picked out was about $1500 on sale which is why I asked
That said, if you have the time and not the coin like many I’ve had good success treating it like a mechanical restoration. Pictures as you disassemble, label it all, and make notes of attachment methods. The old fabric if taken off carefully can be used to make a pattern for your new one and I had good success buying memeory foam toppers on sale in lieu of upholstery inserts and layering them with adhesive. Successfully pulled off two accent chairs, the chaise, and a love seat. Did try a button tufted wingback chair and it’s um…obviously not professional lol.
Thanks for the reply! I am a formally trained Machinist/Toolmaker. Making the frame out of aluminum tool plate and bolting the parts together is pretty straight forward. I also see how I can inlay wood strips for the upholstery to be tacked/stapled to.
So, its a matter of purchasing the fabric and the cost of upholstery labor. Memory foam sounds like a wonderful idea!
The mechanical work I can do. I can also disassemble the fabric at the attachment points so that it can be used as templates. However, I have next to no sewing experience, but am willing to learn!
I echo @MrsMoose. I have not been able to find a source for quality one of upholstery for cheaper than buying a new quality piece of furniture.
You are fighting the economy of scale on this. It just won’t be cheaper. So if your goal is to save money, you are likely not going down the correct path. If you are wanting to learn, willing to spend a lot of time working, and willing to spend more than it would cost to purchase the item mass produced, then this is the path.
You have the choices of Quality, Low Cost, and Finishing the Project Quickly. Pick two.
I am looking to have something that is high quality, comfortable and that will work excellent and last many moons! So, if I spend a little on upholstery, so be it. 'Tis better than spending $$$$ on another chair that will fall apart as this one did.
CA has a heavy duty walking foot machine. It is used mainly for leather (be sure it has ball nose needle for cloth and knife edge needle for leather). @hasbridge is the owner of the machine and used it for reupholstering his car.
Yeah I thought about that (sorta remembered it had a walking foot) but since I wasn’t sure of status of machine (isn’t it one of the leather ones that needs elusive training?) I figured see if OP intended to sew (looks like not) before bringing up that (and training caveats).
Ha. I remember super-alerting to the walking foot thing when we first got it and you mentioned that because it put an upholstery project further up the list for me…my ever-growing DMS project list
I reupholstered a few things in my day and I’ll second what @kyrithia said about basically using the pieces as a pattern for the new one. It’s a fun little puzzle for sure. I enjoyed it.
Post pictures!
It is awesome that you want to repair it and keep it out of a landfill instead of buying a new one. I thought I’d mention that I have gotten almost new, very nice Lazy Boy brand recliners for $50 on Craigslist. Hopefully you won’t need that - good luck with your project!
This is the KEY - you are willing to spend more use better materials and use the Space to make the frame.
You are leaving the world of “off the shelf” (insert cheaper mass produced) to “custom” one off - superior quality (insert “My time at the space has zero value(as I hone my skills) and I am willing to spend money on better materials”) locally made pieces of furniture.
I do object to the comment “My time at the space has zero value" unless I am mistakenly taking this out of context.
Spending time at the “Space” is definitely value added!
The problem with my recliner is that the soft pine frame (both the seat and back) are broken. The back looks like the cushion spring tension overcame the strength of the pine frame. The armrest frames are all cheaply stapled together. In some areas the wood splintered apart along the grain and others, the staple joints just came apart! Would have been better construction with quality poplar plywood and maybe economical angle brackets to bolt the wood parts together instead of cheap staples!!
It is a pretty straight forward deal to machine new frame parts from aluminum, on either the HAAS or Bridgeport. I can see picking up aluminum tool plate off the remnants rack for maybe $100.00.
So rebuilding this into something that will last a lifetime is definitely a wise investment. Especially since the chair is a great fit for me!
Looks like La-Z-Boy has some newer hi-tech fabrics that may have proprietary features. Maybe I can get them to do the upholstery work for me at a reduced cost.
BTW, I do remember that TV episode! They bought “Dad” a new recliner. He had a fit and they had to chase all over G-D’s creation trying to locate and reclaim his favorite chair! LOL
