Upholstery with a Master
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Visit www.epicwoodwo... for Woodworking Courses with Tom McLaughlin, Furniture Plans, Neighborwood Membership discounts, and more!
⚙️ SHOW NOTES: This video provides last step instruction on how to upholster the slip seat of our Queen Anne Footstool, the very one built through the Online Course of the same name. A visit with career upholsterer Joseph Portinari offers more than the how-to, but also some vignettes into a craftsman of many years with many stories to tell. Listen closely, Joe is a funny guy!
⚙️ To build your own Footstool with our Full-size Plans and Online Course visit: www.epicwoodwor...
⚙️ WATCH LIVE: The Live link for future Shop Night Live events are available each week at www.epicwoodwo...
⚙️ RELATED VIDEO RESOURCES : • Queen Anne Footstool Course and Plans with Tom McLaughlin: www.epicwoodwo...
• How to Design a Queen Anne Footstool with Tom McLaughlin • How to Design a Queen ...
⚙️ EPISODE LINKS:
• BeA 71/16-421 Fine Wire 22-Gauge Stapler (as recommended by Joe): amzn.to/3Cy3GTH
• Upholstery Black Cambric: amzn.to/3Rfd1DX
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LIVE EVENTS are filmed in the shop of Tom McLaughlin, host of TV's Classic Woodworking and Shop Night Live. Tom loves to pass on the craft of woodworking by creating projects to present in live video form backed by his over 30-years of experience making fine custom furniture.
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FTC Disclosure: In general, the links we provide through Amazon are affiliate links, which means we will receive a small commission if you purchase something using that link. Affiliate arrangements are not a focus for us, but we do want you to be aware of this one.
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This is my family’s business, very proud to see this shown to the world ❤
Oh that’s awesome, I’m so glad you got to see it…and I’m very proud to know him! 👍😎
Thanks to Joseph for the lesson, narration and stories!
Is Joe still with us? I just watched today, and was inspired! 🥰
That’s so cool! Do you upholster as well?
You should be proud
I got into the upholstery business a while back for medical furniture. I was contracting it out and one day the older couple that was doing it for me looked at me and said why don't you learn to do it? They explained to me none of the younger people wanted to learn and I could tell they were desperate to leave their years of knowledge behind to someone else. Long story short and many sessions with them I'm still doing ot today 8 years strong. I'm sad to say the man has passed and his wife has retired. I've unfortunately lost track of where she went. I think of them every day as I put a staple or stitch into some material
As an upholsterer, I like that he showed us that gun from 1974. I have one that I bought in 1977. It's a Senco and parts are no longer available, I have it now sitting on my desk as a keepsake. My current favorite is a Porter Cable. BTW, I'm 76 and still doing upholstery on a part time basis.
People underestimate how valuable this skill is. The cheap imports of today do not compare to the quality furniture of the past. I love to re-upholster old pieces. Love watching a master at work. God bless him.
This old man deserves an Oscar for life time achievements 👏
I learned so much in 16 minutes! Wow! Such a joy to watch him work away at this. His corners were absolute perfection!! ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it! He definitely knows the craft…and this was a very simple job to him. 👍😎
I'm just learning to refurbish items...now I won't struggle with the corners!
My father was a Danish trained Apprentice Upholsterer... His certificate of completion is in Danish, French, German and English. When my folks immigrated in 1948 to Washington State ( where we had relatives)... he was able to quickly get hired into a shop.... later in life he ran a very successful Shop of his own.... ( for 15 years)...
That’s so interesting, one of my favorite Danish designers and makers worked during that time, Hans Wegner. In fact I recently made a “round chair” inspired by his design. They did some beautiful upholstery using what is now commonly called “Danish cord.” I wonder if it’s something your Dad was familiar with given it’s a kind of woven seat covering and may not be considered “upholstery”
Thanks for sharing and watching! 👍😎
What a joy to watch Joe ply his craft and make it look so easy. IF I live to be 82, I hope I get around half as well as Joe does!
I know what you mean Bob, thanks for watching! 👍
There is nothing more wonderful than watching an old master craftsman at work. This is handmade workmanship, which you don't learn in school these days. The manufacturers these days don't put the quality in the products they sell; sadly, it's all about money. Beautiful God-given talent.
Nothing so pleasing as to watch a master craftman do his thing! Bravo!!!
I’m so proud of people that take pride in their work.
We all should be proud of something 😎
It’s nice to see there are still craftsmen applying their trade. What’s even nicer is that it’s done in the USA. Beautiful work!
Awww Joe. He did such an amazing job and his mastery and skills do make it look simple but you know darn well, years of feeling his fabrics, his fingers have more knowledge than his eyes.
Without a doubt, no substitute for experience like that! Thanks for watching 😎👍
I've never wanted to apprentice before, but I'd sign up in a heartbeat to work with Joe! So much knowledge and life experience to learn from - and he's so charming! 😍
I used to do this . As you can tell a lot of what you do you go by feel also. You let the material talk to you. Thanks for the video and it has been so many years since I seen a tack hammer and the one he has is at least from the 1960s I would say. Take care and be safe
Thanks, I had wanted to do a video for quite a while with Joe. I’m so happy for him how well he was received. And I love those old tools too! 😎👍
❤what a joy to watch! I’m a tradesman myself. I love to hear about the proper tools and techniques from a master, and the stories , too!😀 For a lot of us, teaching is all we have left at the end of a career,and if we don’t teach, the trade will disappear. So many have nearly been eliminated . Thank you so much for taking the time to share your work, and joes, too!
Thank you, I agree it’s my pleasure and I think Joe would say the same. Something about getting older comes the natural desire to open the doors and pass it on. I appreciate it, and thanks for watching! 👍😎
I could watch this 100 times….mastery !
What a masterwork! He truly is a classic American craft master. Thanks for the great video.
My pleasure, thanks for watching! 👍
Love seeing a craftsman at work!
I could sit and watch you work all day long sir! It is so effortless as he works every step to completion. The stories and projects you have done over the years would be so fascinating to listen to. I am truly grateful that you have shared this project with the whole world and it's an honor to have watched your expertise at work. Thank you and God bless Joe.
I love watching old timers do the craft they've been doing forever. You can learn so much. They do things by instinct they've been doing it so long. Yea he does make it look easy.
Watching this made me nostalgic for weekends with my dad when we'd watch This Old House and New Yankee Workshop. There's something about listening to good people who mastered their crafts and loved sharing the information that's so beautiful.
Wow....i have no connection to the industry...but to watch this young man at work, was so awesome. Reminds me of my dad..GRHS..worked till 82...and another observation.. no APP..no AI..no hi tech used to complete the task.. absolute pleasure to watch a craftsperson at work. thank you for sharing..wishing you years of great health..
Yes, I’m sure Joe appreciates your observations and kind words! 👍😎
What an absolute pleasure watching him work.
LOVE how he tosses every tool aside after use.
He has durable tools. But generally I think he knows exactly what those tools can handle. To others, I’d suggest to treat tools with as little impact as possible.
I really enjoyed watching this. Thank you for taking the time to document Joe’s craftsmanship. 😊
So cool! I’m in my late 60’s and love to see things well made. I pray for this to touch the youth and revive quality workmanship! Thank you for sharing.
Just the way he touches the peace as he works on it shows you the love of craft.
Something wonderful to see a skilled craftsman a work
Wonderful to see a master craftsperson at work!
Agreed, thanks Pat! 😎
A master is right!
I like how you throw your tools down when you’re finished using them. I do the same thing. 😊
This was fascinating to watch. The seat turned out beautiful. I love the red colour!
It's a thing of beauty to watch someone who has mastered their craft go through the motions and make it look effortless. Guaranteed if I tried to do this it would be a hot mess 😂
I would want to watch more videos from him. He would be a great teacher.
Yes, I thought the same thing after shooting this one. I asked Joe and he said he would be open. He was a little embarrassed that the project was such an easy and basic one. He will be shocked to learn his simple project video is up around 25K views! Thanks for watching 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking Not many people know how to do those corners correctly and he made it look easy. Does he mainly work with leather or does he do a wide verity of fabrics too?
That is a thing of beauty. Excellent work, sir. A labor of love, as they call it.
Yes, I’d have to agree. Thanks for watching. 👍
I would watch a channel of his religiously. Nothing like seeing a skilled professional at work.
I am a rooky when it comes to reupholstering, I wish we could see the reference for tools and fabrics used in that video.. beautiful to watch
I love the shop...I want one just like it!
Yes, I love walking in there every time! 👍😎
Not only informative, soothing to see a master craftsman at work!
The pride in his workmanship is fabulous. I really enjoyed watching
I wish this was a world of masters some times you want to fly with the eagles but you cant when thier is only turkeys around. Today its hard to find a real master these days but thier is a lot of pretenders its so satisfying to see soothing skills some people listen to music and some to the nature channel but for me pure skill is soothing to my soul!!!!! nice work.
Yes, Joe is certainly a master! 👍😎
I sell an innovative lighting product to high end upholstery shops and I’m blessed to have met the crazy talented individuals masters of the trade learn so much all the time
I like how he’s talking about the “old timers”….lol…I’ve been interested in upholstery, thumbs up
Yes, when he says that he’s really reaching back and I felt the connection myself. 😎
What a pleasure to watch. When old Joe is gone, don't forget to turn out the lights and close the door.
What a lovely man.
Agreed! 👍
Amazing craftsmanship! Joe would be a Great Mentor. Needs a young apprentice to soak up all that knowledge and expert techniques.
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching 👍
Wow!! He is such a gem. Expert!! He is national treasure!
Another treasure, in so many ways, from Epic Woodworking. Like you Tom, Joe is a master of his craft. with skilled hands applying just the amount of tension or pressure as he shoots in each staple. Joe's work reminded me of a day more than 70 years ago when I watched in awe as an uncle, who was a professional upholsterer, rebuild an old overstuffed easy chair. He used similar webbing, and a short (approximately 8") webbing stretcher to tension each strip before spitting an upholstery tack from his mouth to the back of an upholstery hammer (like the one Joe used), and then whacking it home.
But even though I had seen it done, years later when I had the occasion to make my own benches, I went to a local upholstery shop to have the seats made professionally.
Sincere thanks to Joe Portinari for an excellent demonstration.
Thank you Poppa, I share your sentiments with that kind of experience. I always love to watch a master at work. I’ve enjoyed quite a few furniture upholstery projects with Joe. Wish I had videos of some of those to share! 😎
A joy to watch such a skilled craftsman at work. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Enjoyable to watch. That’s the difference between store bought junk. And we’ll made piece. Thank you for the video.
Thanks Steve, it was fun to see it come together firsthand. And Joe told me later that was among the simplest example for an upholstery demo. 😎
Thank you Tom, a trip down memory lane for me; I grew up in Gloversville NY which for decades was the leather, upholstery , glove capital of the world even spent a couple of summers as a kid some 60 years ago working in the leather shops but as Joe pointed out the trade was a guarded secret, sadly that industry there has all but gone away. Even my dad who was a carpenter didn't teach me his trade because he knew of the pit falls and a college education was the way to avoid them.
Pretty interesting Michael, I love hearing those kinds of memories! 👍
Thanks for showing this. Very interesting!
Thanks Chris! 😎
Love it. What a terrific guy. Shop is spotless. That’s a skill as well. I always use tacks on reproductions, they didn’t have staples in 1760. Lol
Yes, I’m sure Joe shares your wisdom and insight on that one! 👍😎
Shop being clean is so essential to the customer eye
That old man is absolutely a true master!!!!
watching this brought me so much joy
What an amazing Gentleman. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us. You are truly are gifted 😊
That was a wonderful video. I appreciate everyone’s skills to make that piece such a work of art.
Thanks Kevin! 👍
Unbelievable! I just loved this course! Beautiful.
Beautiful, meticulous and detailed work!
Yes, Joe is a great artisan! 👍
Awesome video, I’ve had an old footstool for years that I wanted to reupholster but didn’t know how to go about it. After watching this video, I believe I can do it. Thanks
This is beautiful work. I studied furniture design and traditional upholstery in college back in the mid-1970's. We learned to 'spit tacks', no air tools were used when doing upholstery in school. The furniture I upholstered 50 years ago is still in use today, my teacher was a master. I'm just now starting to get back into this with an Arts & Crafts rocker I just recently restored, and ready for seat upholstery. Your video has been inspirational. Thank you.
Thank you, joe for sharing your mastery in upholstery
Joe’s the best! 👍😎
I could watch this all day. What a skilled craftsman!
He is a master. I reupholster furniture for hospitals for a living and still learned a thing or two from this video
BLESSINGS UPON THOSE HANDS WHOSE ART SPREADS THROUGHOUT ONES EYES AND HEART.
Beautiful saying, worth meditating deeply over. Thank you. Is this yours or an aged quotation? I may put that on my wall to see and read often as a regular reminder of the rich value of this work and sharing it with others. 👍😎
IT'S MINE. BELIEVE. I JUST DID IT DUE TO WHAT I WATCHED. YOU ARE PART OF THAT. USE IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS. ALL THE WAY FROM BRASIL.@@EpicWoodworking
Thanks Tom. Nice to see finishing touches.
Thanks Pat, always feels good to see something come together with the help of a gifted seasoned artisan like Joe! 👍😎
That was terrific. He made it look so easy.
Thanks David, I’m glad you enjoyed it! The seasoned pros always make it look easier than it is! 😎
This guy is certainly a pro, strong hands and swift craftsmanship
Great video. That gentleman was so interesting and made everything look easy. At 82 with finger strength to stretch that leather. I use to watch a show I believe on PBS where 2 fairly young guys rebuilt and reupholstered furniture. Fullsize chairs, couches, sofas,etc. Never been able to find it online anywhere.
Yes, I was struck by the strength and character in his hands as he pulled and formed those corners. His hands show he is the real deal! 😎
Wow, this man knows his work. Beautiful to watch
Thank you for showing this craft, you are truly a master at this!
So lovely to see a master at work and learn the tricks of the trade - beautiful job!! So hope you are passing on your trade to someone else. Would be happy to be your student any day.
Joe's got it going on! I enjoy watching a master at work.
A very good video. He walks through it perfectly.
You're right Tom, he does make it look easy! Beautiful job!
Thanks Mike, we had fun with it!
Thank you for sharing this video! I was hunting for something to give me the confidence to take on a project, and I stopped right here!
It’s refreshing and educational to see a true master ply his craft vs. an imitation (a DIY influencer) try to pass for the real thing. Plus, his stories were soo much fun to listen to!! So much better than the prattling on and on in other videos!
I’m taking on re-upholstering our dining room chairs, and I’ve just been watching Joe on repeat, working and telling his stories. If I manage to accomplish even a fraction of the quality he’s putting out, this will be an unparalleled success! And all thanks to you for sharing him with us!
Really wonder still he is working and that perfection ,all the best
Thank you! 👍😎
Beautiful work. Love those corners!
Such impeccable work!
I’ve been wondering where to get those black staples used on the cambric. Simple solution ..a black Sharpie! Craftsmanship needs to be saved and passed on. Thank you for making this.👍
Yes, that sharpie technique was a new one on me too, thanks! 👍
Beautiful.
Beautiful. What a cool guy.
I thoroughly enjoyed that. So much, that I’m about to watch it again!!!
That cotton stuff he uses does miracles. I used it over sew foam and sewed 1” pleats for my hot rod and wow it really made them tight. I’m new to this love these videos
Thanks so much! This kind of quality content is such a joy to watch. The footstool with that awesome seat is just beautiful.
Thank you Doug, so glad you enjoyed it as I did being there! 👍😎
I love to see great craftsmanship in action. The days of great craftsmen are waning due to automation and technology. Such a shame people are now living in an immediate gratification world only to not fully appreciate what a truly professional product should look like. Excellent work!!! God bless you and your life business.
I wrote earlier about an old PBS show but I went into the rabbit hole and found out i was likely watching on the Learning Channel. It was 2 guys oddly enough reffered to as The Furniture Guys . They were on for years on shows called Furniture On The Mend and Furniture On the Go. They have recently started a new TH-cam show The Old Furniture Guys. I know they are quite odd and hilarious or so I remember them . Whatever if people get through the humor they are quite knowledgeable. I believe they started in the late eighties and ran for many years.
The two older shows appear to be available on TH-cam. Appear to be over 80 episodes. I have not viewed them but hope they are as entertaining and informative as I remember. I am a bif fan of thomas Johnson Restorations but he does not do much in upholstery. These guys cover everything with a lotof upholstery work A lot of Horse Hair stuffing.
Yes, I think I recall seeing them once or twice years ago as well…pre TH-cam days. I hope to do a follow-up with Joe showing the old horsehair approach. Thanks for watching! 👍😎
@gerald anania,
Thanks for the info! Yeah, they're oldies but goodies__I think I remember watching them a few times years ago. Gonna check them out!
I bought a portable massage table in 1997 when I took 1000hr course. Over the yrs. the vinyl has broken down, cracked and split__the stuffing is accessible. 😢 The manufacturer is about 2 hrs from where I live so a few yrs back I took my table down there to see if they would replace a suspension cable my cat chewed and they told me they don't use them anymore. Ok, fine. But when the vinyl started showing a lot more wear and tear I called them for an appt. to re-upholster the cushions and they said they don't do that. I really don't understand that__the table's frame is solid maple and it was made to withstand 1000lbs. of static pressure(and it is still in fantastic shape), why can't they re-upholster it in the warehouse along with all the new ones?!? 😒
So, I've been thinking for awhile about doing it myself, maybe with leather, but I needed to know what kind of foam and stuffing to use. After watching another tutorial from an 'old timer' in NY and this one with Joe I would prefer a professional do the job, the right way, so it would last another 30 yrs., or so! 😱😛 💖🙌😺
Enjoyed that! Thanks
Thanks Nick! 👍
The problem is that he makes it look sooo simple. It's just so nice to watch a real tradesman. One who worked through less tech era's that had to rely on skill, knowledge and training rather than the amount of $$$ they could spend to buy a machine to do it.
Thanks Danny, yes, he sure does make it look easy. And you can see by the strength of his hands, he has applied himself in a direct way to the work! 👍
Joe... what a guy. It's an honor to watch a master craftsman at work.
Like the first time I saw Tom. The video where he was making a chest of drawers for Fine Woodworking. The intricate details are what differentiates basic from wow.
Beautiful work!!!! I'll do this with my next bench upholstery project
I love to watch Master Craftsmen do amazing things, that I only wish I had the talent for. Great video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jimmy, I’m with you on that! 👍
Thank you tom & kris for bringing this & just for being great people !
Thank you Terry, ❤️ back at you! 😎
What a perfectionist! Love to watch him! Thank you great man.
I have to agree, thanks for watching! 👍😎
Thanks so much. Now I know why I take my stuff to a good upholsterer.
A total professional.
Just watched you work your magic Joe. What a craftsman you are, so neat and the finished seat looks amazing. I watched it to the end even though it’s 1.55 am here in Liverpool UK and my bed is calling. Wonderful Gent, thankyou and best wishes.
Yes, I agree Susan, I am so grateful to know him and have collaborated on numerous projects together. Thanks for watching! 👍😎
Thanks for bringing Tom Portinari's work to our attention. So straightforward. I love his use of modern foam, dacron etc to produce a great seat that takes nothing away from the design of a traditional "small bench" footstool. Now, for the chair in my basement!
His hands are so beautiful!!! There is such value in quality work and those who do it. Fabulous job Joe.😊
Thanks for sharing! It's a beautiful bench! 😍
Love these short clips- sometimes I don’t won’t to slowdown and watch an entire longer clip.
I know what you mean Steve, thanks! 👍