Valerie Squires - Professional Custom Upholstery & Industrial Sewing

09/03/2026

I feel so honored every time I'm trusted to update the furniture that has so much sentimental value to my clients. 💓

07/22/2026

This is what I would like people to understand when they consider having their furniture upholstered... not every piece is worth it.
BUT when it's worth it to you to customize and restore your furniture, I'll put 110% into the job and you'll bring home a piece of furniture that nobody else has! 😉

Why does everyone assume upholstery should cost less than buying new?

It’s a question almost every upholsterer has heard.

The truth is, most people compare custom craftsmanship to mass production—and they are fundamentally different products.

A new chair from a big-box retailer is often manufactured overseas in factories producing hundreds or thousands of identical pieces at a time. Materials are purchased in bulk, labor is divided among specialized departments, and automation keeps costs low.

Professional custom upholstery works in the opposite direction.

Every project is unique. Before a single staple is driven, we spend hours removing old fabric, documenting construction, repairing frames, rebuilding springs and cushions, pattern matching, sewing, and hand-fitting every detail to that specific piece of furniture.

What many people don’t realize:

• Furniture sold before the 1990s was often built with hardwood frames, coil springs, and joinery designed to last for generations.

• The EPA estimates that millions of tons of furniture end up in landfills every year.

• Reupholstery preserves heirlooms, reduces waste, and supports local skilled trades.

• When you invest in custom upholstery, you’re not just buying fabric—you’re investing in craftsmanship, sustainability, and the people keeping these trades alive.

Sometimes reupholstering costs more than buying new. But the better question is:

Are you replacing furniture—or preserving something worth keeping?

06/15/2026

First time upholstering a hickory stick chair!

This awesome chair is hand crafted from bent hickory branches. A one of a kind beauty. Manufactured with talent and skill.
At first I was a little apprehensive about putting fabric with a straight line pattern on such an asymmetrical piece of furniture (if you know me as an upholsterer, asymmetry makes me VERY uneasy). But now that it's done, I've realized that those slight "imperfections" in symmetry on this particular piece aren't imperfect at all. And those lines are doing a great job of highlighting the natural beauty and unique shape of this amazing, hand crafted, natural, one of a kind chair. That fabric was an excellent choice. I'm in love.

And for the first time in all my years being an upholsterer, I'm very comfortable with a perfectly "imperfect" job (although, those lines are about as dead on as they can be 😉).

05/22/2026

A classy modern chaise lounge got this very chic update.
That loosely wrapped brown chenille fabric was swapped for that classy, soft, natural colored woven cotton material, upholstered nice and snug.

05/12/2026

This style chair is so popular as an occasional chair. Light weight, compact, reasonably comfortable, can be easily moved from place to place as needed. With the frame and padding still in awesome condition, thankfully it didnt end up in a landfill due to the deterioration of it's original cover!
Now, with a brand new cover, it's as good as new and ready to serve its purpose once more!

Bonded "leather". It was such a good notion when it first appeared in the industry. It looks quite like the real deal until it ages 3 or 4 years and then this 👇 happens!

Bonded leather is awesome for a short term look or for furniture that gets very little use, but it generally doesn't do well after a few years. Its made up of leather scraps shredded and rebonded with latex or polyurethane on a fiber backing. It actually only contain 10-20% leather, making it so much less durable than actual leather.
If genuine leather isn't an option, then most quality upholstery weight fabrics or vinyls are much better choices for your well used furniture.

05/11/2026

A throw back from about 12 years ago.

This antique (1930's - 1940's) flute back chair was in fine condition but definitely needed new fabric. A beautiful choice of material to upgrade the piece. Timeless, flattering and durable.

12/12/2025

Before and after

This 120+ year old set of diningroom chairs got their lovely old hand made needle point covers replaced with a beautiful dark chocolate leather trimmed with dark brass tacks.