Most upholsterers measure part of every job by hand without thinking about it. In Chair Upholstery, Franco Marinelli sets that habit down as a system, so a beginner can learn it on purpose and an experienced hand can check theirs against his.
- Two fingers held together: about 3.5cm, the spacing for tacks.
- Three fingers: 5cm, the height of a first stuffing on a dining chair.
- The little finger: about 1.5cm, the gap between rows of blind stitching.
- A closed fist, thumb included: 10cm, the size of a bridle loop.
- Index and middle fingers opened fully: 45 degrees, the angle for the needle when stitching an edge.
- Index finger to thumb: 90 degrees.
“Of course there are naturally more measurements a craftsperson can take from the hand, and they vary from person to person. It’s always worth sitting with a ruler and noting the key ones on your own hand. This will sharpen the habit and make the system truly yours.”
— Franco Marinelli
The method comes from page 52 of Chair Upholstery by Franco Marinelli, published by The Crowood Press on 27 October, £24. Described here with the permission of the author and the publisher.
Method from Chair Upholstery by Franco Marinelli (The Crowood Press, 2026), page 52, used with the written permission of The Crowood Press (23 September 2026) and the author (24 September 2026); text approved by the author on 30 September 2026. Closing advice from the author's email to The Furniture Magazine, 30 September 2026. Cover image supplied by The Crowood Press.
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