Summer Is In Full Swing

​Speaking of swings. Did you know you can have new cushions made for your old swing or glider? Any reputable upholstery shop can manufacture custom made cushions to suit your needs. I am going to tell you a few things that are important in the process so you will be an educated consumer!

The first thing to consider is NOT price. In our modern Wally World Ways we tend to look for the cheapest price, but that is not realistic for upholstery. The number one reason for this is that cheaper fabrics and notions will not last as long as quality goods. The simple numbers mean that saving fifty dollars now will cost you a lot more in the long run. Sounds cliche to say you get what you pay for, but in this case you really do. If you start out with cheap fabric it will not last long and you will need new cushions before you know it. Penny wise and pound foolish they call it. You will have more upfront costs for quality materials, but many will last the life of your furniture and in the end that will save you money. The extra money you save now will have to paid eventually anyway when you need your cushions made AGAIN, but you will also have the inconvenience of reupholstering.

The first things for you to think about are do you like the process of upholstery? Do you enjoy choosing fabrics? Does the idea of deciding on matching or contrasting piping really get your creative juices flowing? If so, then by all means go with a less expensive fabric and be good to your seamstress so he or she will have you back. LOL We love to make new things too so pay your upholsterer well and scrimp on the fabric if you already know you want to do it all again in a year or two. There is no rule saying everything has to last forever. Maybe you like to update everything every year. Go for it and have some fun! If decorating is just not your idea of a good time let your upholsterer know up front. An experienced sewist will be able to help you choose fabrics that fit your budget and match your decor. Making the whole process easy for you becomes part of the service. At A.R.M. Interiors we let our customers tell us what they need. Make sure you choose an upholsterer who suits your style!

If you never want to go through this again invest in the better materials and expect them to last the next five or ten years. No kidding! Many outdoor fabrics come with very long warranties these days some as much as ten or fifteen years. If you choose a fabric that is warrantied for ten years you can almost bet it's going to last ten to twelve years. Manufacturers are not in the business of giving away money. They already know their product will last for the warranted period. Take advantage of their expertise. An extra $100 now may  buy you five more years of use and who wouldn't pay $20 a year for peace of mind?! Companies like Greenhouse Fabrics and Sunbrella have products to fit every budget.

Find an upholsterer you can trust and work with that person to fit your needs and your budget. Not everyone is out to squeeze you for every nickel and if you feel like someone is; walk away! Just say, "I think we are going to hold off for now. Thank you for your time." and walk out the door. You want a seamstress that understands your needs, whether it is a slim budget, an aversion to the process, long wearing choices, bright colors, the chance to upstage your neighbors ☺, whatever you feel you need.
So, remember price is not always the most important factor, but sometimes it is...lol.

If you'd like more information no matter where you live give us a call. We are always happy to help people make the decisions that are right for them. We have many contacts in the upholstery world and I'm sure we can find someone to help you locally. Or if you're handy with a tape measure there's always shipping options. ;)   Follow us on Facebook @arm4you2 or find us on the web     arminteriors.weebly.com or just call 1-304-249-8778