Regency Down Cushion
With few exceptions, this cushion is standard. It has a core of high-grade polyurethane foam, which is surrounded by a double layer of down
proof ticking. Between the layers of ticking is a filling of 15/85 down/feathers. The ticking is channelled to prevent migration. Regency Down
has a tailored appearance with a slight crown. It is best used when medium firmness is desired.
Regency Plus Cushion
Constructed the same as the Regency Down Cushion with a slightly firmer core to require less maintenance during use as well as provide
more support in heavy usage.
Spring Down Cushion
This cushion is constructed with two double layers of down proof ticking, channelled to prevent migration of down and filled with 15/85
down/feather. The core of this cushion is constructed with a Marshall unit encased in foam. This is our firmest cushion.
Chatsworth Cushion
This cushion has a small Marshall unit encased in foam at its core. This is surrounded with thick pads of 25/75 down/feathers on the top and
bottom. The large amount of down requires frequent fluffing. With the high crown and softness this is an excellent choice for single seat
cushion sofas.
50/50 Down and Feather Cushion
This cushion is constructed entirely with 50% down and 50% feather. There is no foam nor spring and foam core. It is our softest and
most conforming cushion and the height of luxury. However, this cushion requires frequent fluffing in order to retain its original shape and
customers should understand this maintenance requirement.
Down Back Pillow: This pillow is constructed of two layers of down proof ticking filled with 25/75 down/feathers. Because of the down content,
these pillows require periodic fluffing to retain their original shape and crown.
Oxford Down Back Pillow
This back pillow is standard on Theodore Alexander upholstery and is constructed with two double layers of down proof ticking, channelled to
prevent migration of materials, and filled with 25/75 down/feathers. The centre section is filled with microfibre with a denier of .09 millimetres.
While expensive, this fibre’s resiliency helps the back pillow retain its original shape. Because of the down content, this pillow requires
periodic fluffing to retain its original shape and crown.
Canadian Down Throw Pillows
This throw pillow is standard on Theodore Alexander upholstery and is constructed of two layers of down proof ticking filled with down and
feathers. Because of the down content, these pillows require periodic fluffing to retain their original shape and crown.
FRAMES
Theodore Alexander frames are made of kiln dried solid maple. Maple is used because it is a hard tight grain wood. Other woods such as oak and ash are
never used because they are open grain woods which tend to split and are inferior for frame building.
The typical Theodore Alexander frame is made with 1-1/16” thick rails and 1-1/4” thick back leg posts. However, rails are as thick as 2-1/8” when necessary.
(Back legs feature one piece post construction. Both back post and front legs become integral parts of the frame by being double doweled into the side
and front rails and secured with glued and screwed corner blocks. This does not apply to all legs in this collection due to the various options). All joints,
braces and corners are double doweled and secured with glue and screws.
SPRING UP
A quality eight-way hand tied seat construction is essential to the comfort of any upholstered furniture. Just as a quality box spring is vital to the comfort of a
mattress, the comfort that you experience from a sofa cushion is dependent on a quality eight-way hand tied construction. While many companies claim to
offer eight-way hand tied construction, extremely few produce a quality product. Theodore Alexander produces a true high quality eight-way hand tied job
which includes:
Only 7 ply nylon twine is used.
Coiled seat springs supported by propex webbing with steel bands under each row of springs.
Seat springs four rows deep from front to back where space allows. Across the width of the seat, there should be a row of coiled springs approximately every
6 inches.
Coil springs are available in various gauges of firmness. In order to provide comfort and proper support Theodore Alexander formulated each seat with up to
five different gauges of springs in seats. In general firmer springs are used in the front and side rows for support, while softer springs are used in the middle
for comfort.
Edge wire extends around the entire perimeter of the springs. (Does not apply to this collection)
Springs are insulated with cotton to minimize noise.
Sinuous wire springs are used in the back as the support foundation for Marshall unit springs or the placement of a back pillow.
CUTTING AND SEWING
Every piece produced by Theodore Alexander is cut individually to ensure pattern match. Great care and thought is given to the placement of the fabric
pattern on your chair or sofa. Fabric is marked by pattern and cut in such a way as to leave a sew line on the face of the fabric. This more time consuming
process ensures that the sewing can be exact.
All welts are cut on the bias to provide the greatest strength and flexibility.
All seams are sewn to ensure that the fabric pattern matches. Seams on stress points are top stitched for added strength.
#5 YKK steel zippers are used in all cushions and back pillows. While this zipper is more expensive, it has proven to be trouble-free during many years of service.
UPHOLSTERY
The art of upholstering involves more than simply stapling a fabric to a frame and is more than a list of specifications. It requires finesse - finesse that understands
subtleties such as how to hand sew welts together, when an extra layer of cotton is necessary, and where to place a pleat. Below is a partial list of the highest
quality upholstery standards which Theodore Alexander always employs.
Over the last 20 years upholstering techniques have evolved away from the use of fibre and toward the use of more foam in order to reduce the amount of labour.
While Theodore Alexander uses high quality foam in arms and backs, we remain biased towards the use of generous amounts of fibre batting throughout every
piece we produce. These heavier layers of fibre provide a more luxurious feel and look while allowing the upholsterer to shape the arms, deck, and back as
demanded by the design. Furthermore, fabric is never applied directly over wood, foam, other fabrics or webbings; there is always a layer of fibre immediately
under your fabric. This has the added benefit of reducing the wear on your fabric as fibre batting is not abrasive. (Cotton is no longer used as it smolders and
burns, we use fire retardant fibre batting).
Upholstered backs or tufted designs feature Marshall units (connected small soft coiled springs which are covered in muslin) placed over no sag springs, a layer
of foam and two or three layers of fibre. This labour intensive process ensures that even our upholstered and tufted back styles offer support and comfort.
Wherever arms are pleated, a reverse pleat is used so any excess fabric can be removed.
Skirts hang straight and match on all sides. Pellon (stiffener) is sewn into each skirt panel and skirts are lined with sateen. There are no staples or strips visible
under the skirt.
CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS
Theodore Alexander uses the finest materials available. Below is a list of the available seat cushion and back pillow constructions. While we offer optional
cushion constructions in an effort to meet various customer desires, all our cushions and pillows are made to the same high standards.
THE ART OF QUALITY, STYLE AND COMFORT
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