Hessian

Upholstery Hessian, Burlap and Natural Linen Scrim

Shop upholstery hessian and natural linen scrim for traditional furniture restoration, spring covering, retaining hair and coir fillings, building shaped upholstery and creating strong internal foundation layers.

Livedale supplies hessian in open, medium, tight and very tight weaves, with weights ranging from 7oz to 15oz. The range also includes wide 72″ hessian, coloured hessian and a 100% natural linen scrim for high-quality traditional upholstery work.

These materials may also be described as:

• Upholstery burlap
• Hessian cloth
• Scrim hessian
• Traditional upholstery canvas
• Spring-covering hessian
• Upholstery foundation cloth
• Tarpaulin hessian
• Linen upholstery scrim
• Hair and coir retaining cloth
• Furniture restoration hessian

The correct grade depends on where the cloth will sit within the furniture, the amount of support required, the type of filling being used and the width of the frame.

Shop Hessian by Weight and Weave

The range includes:

• 7oz open-weave scrim hessian for retaining hair or coir
• 10oz medium-weave hessian for general traditional upholstery
• 11oz coloured hessian in nine colours
• 12oz tight-weave hessian in a useful 72″ width
• 15oz very tight-weave hessian for demanding foundation work
• Natural linen scrim as an alternative to conventional hessian

The ounce grade provides an indication of the cloth’s weight. Within this range, the heavier grades generally provide a denser and tighter weave.

However, weight is not the only consideration. Width, weave and the position of the cloth within the furniture are equally important.

7oz Open-Weave Scrim Hessian

The 7oz Open-Weave Scrim Hessian – 40″ Wide is a lightweight hessian designed primarily for use over hair, coir and other traditional upholstery fillings.

It is:

• 7oz weight
• 40″ wide
• Open weave
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 50-metre roll

This lightweight material may also be known as:

• Scrim hessian
• Hair-retaining scrim
• Coir scrim
• Lightweight upholstery burlap
• Open-weave upholstery hessian

Potential uses include:

• Covering loose hair fillings
• Retaining coir
• Holding shaped fillings in position
• Separating filling layers
• Forming a light internal scrim layer
• Traditional chair and sofa restoration

The open weave makes the cloth easier to shape around curved arms, backs and other padded furniture sections.

It is not normally chosen where the hessian itself must provide the primary structural support over springs.

Using 7oz Hessian over Hair or Coir

When using scrim hessian over loose filling:

1. Distribute and shape the hair or coir evenly.
2. Allow sufficient hessian to extend beyond the filling.
3. Position the weave square to the furniture where practical.
4. Fix the centre points first.
5. Tension the cloth gradually.
6. Avoid flattening the filling excessively.
7. Form corners and curves carefully.
8. Secure the perimeter.
9. Check the shape from several angles.
10. Adjust the filling before final fixing where required.

The cloth should contain and control the filling without compressing away the intended furniture profile.

Browse Upholstery Hair and Coir Fillings for traditional loose upholstery materials.

10oz Medium-Weave Upholstery Hessian

The 10oz Medium-Weave Upholstery Hessian – 40″ or 72″ Wide is the most commonly used general-purpose hessian within the range.

Choose from:

• 40″ width
• 72″ width
• Material by the metre
• 50-metre rolls

Its medium weave makes it suitable for a broad range of traditional upholstery work, including:

• Chair seats
• Sofa seats
• Upholstered arms
• Furniture backs
• Internal furniture panels
• Foundation layers
• Covering fillings
• General restoration work

The 40″ width is suitable for many chairs, arms and smaller sections.

The 72″ width is useful for larger sofa sections, broad furniture frames and projects where reducing joins is important.

General-Purpose Hessian for Traditional Upholstery

Choose 10oz hessian where:

• A versatile medium-weight cloth is required
• The furniture includes several different internal sections
• The cloth needs to provide more support than lightweight scrim
• The project includes arms, seats and backs
• A choice of widths is useful
• A standard workshop hessian is required

This is often the most practical starting point when replacing a general internal hessian layer and the original cloth was neither particularly open nor unusually heavy.

11oz Coloured Hessian

The 11oz Coloured Hessian – 40″ Wide provides a medium-to-heavy woven hessian in a choice of nine colours.

Available colours include:

• Black
• Blue
• Cerise pink
• Green
• Orange
• Red
• Sand
• Violet purple
• Yellow

The material is:

• 11oz weight
• 40″ wide
• Sold by the metre

Coloured hessian may be useful for:

• Decorative upholstery details
• Display work
• Visible furniture interiors
• Exhibition projects
• Craft and design applications
• Colour-coded workshop projects
• Stage and prop construction
• Decorative wall or panel covering

The woven hessian texture remains visible, providing a more natural and rustic appearance than a smooth lining cloth.

Choosing Coloured Hessian

Consider:

• The colour of adjoining fabric
• Whether the hessian will remain visible
• The direction of the weave
• Expected wear
• Exposure to sunlight
• The finished furniture design
• Whether several pieces must match

Screen colours may not reproduce the material exactly. A physical sample is advisable where an exact colour match is important.

Coloured hessian should not automatically be assumed to have the same fire performance as a specialist upholstery barrier or contract lining cloth.

12oz Wide Tight-Weave Hessian

The 12oz Tight-Weave Upholstery Hessian – 72″ Wide combines a tighter weave with a particularly useful wide format.

It is:

• 12oz weight
• 72″ wide
• Tight weave
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 50-metre roll

It is suitable for traditional upholstery work on:

• Seats
• Furniture backs
• Upholstered arms
• Sofa frames
• Large chairs
• Broad internal panels
• Spring-covered sections

The tight weave also makes it suitable for fitting over the top of upholstery springs.

Wide Hessian for Sofas and Large Furniture

The 72″ width may reduce the need to join narrower sections across:

• Sofa seats
• Large furniture backs
• Deep arms
• Bench seating
• Broad sprung platforms
• Oversized chairs

Reducing unnecessary joins can create a cleaner and more consistent foundation layer.

Measure the widest part of the frame and include enough material for turning, temporary fixing and final tensioning.

15oz Very Tight-Weave Hessian

The 15oz Heavy-Duty Tight-Weave Upholstery Hessian – 36″ Wide is the heaviest and most tightly woven hessian in the range.

It is:

• 15oz weight
• 36″ wide
• Very tight weave
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 50-metre roll

In traditional upholstery, this grade is sometimes referred to as tarpaulin hessian.

It may be used:

• Over upholstery springs
• Over traditional fillings
• On strongly tensioned furniture sections
• Where a dense foundation cloth is required
• To help prevent hairs or fibres working through
• On demanding traditional restoration projects

The term tarpaulin hessian refers to its heavy, tightly woven upholstery construction and should not be confused with modern waterproof PVC tarpaulin.

Heavy Hessian over Springs and Fillings

The dense weave helps create a secure internal layer where loose hair, coir or fibres must be contained.

When fitting over springs:

1. Inspect the springs and ties.
2. Remove or cover sharp wire ends.
3. Check that the spring arrangement is secure.
4. Position the hessian centrally.
5. Fix the front, back and sides temporarily.
6. Apply firm and even tension.
7. Avoid distorting the spring shape.
8. Form the corners carefully.
9. Complete any required stitching or lacing.
10. Secure the outer edges.

The hessian should provide an even foundation without pulling the springs out of alignment.

Browse Upholstery Springs and Spring Components for associated traditional and modern seating materials.

100% Natural Linen Upholstery Scrim

The 100% Natural Linen Upholstery Scrim – 36″ Wide provides an alternative to hessian for high-quality upholstery work.

It is:

• Made from 100% natural linen
• 36″ wide
• Available by the metre
• Available as a 30-metre roll

Natural linen scrim may be selected for:

• Fine traditional upholstery
• Antique furniture restoration
• High-quality chair and sofa work
• Retaining traditional fillings
• Furniture where natural upholstery materials are preferred
• Specialist conservation-style projects

It may also be described as:

• Linen upholstery canvas
• Natural furniture scrim
• Linen foundation cloth
• Traditional linen scrim
• Upholstery linen

Linen Scrim or Hessian?

Choose natural linen scrim where:

• A high-quality alternative to hessian is preferred
• Natural traditional materials are being specified
• Antique or fine furniture is being restored
• The original construction used linen
• The project calls for specialist traditional methods

Choose hessian where:

• A conventional upholstery foundation cloth is required
• Different weights and widths are needed
• A tighter or heavier spring-covering material is required
• General furniture restoration is being undertaken
• Cost-effective workshop material is preferred

Where historically important furniture is being restored, match the original material and construction as closely as practical.

Choosing the Correct Hessian Weight

Choose 7oz hessian where:

• A light open scrim is required
• Hair or coir needs retaining
• The cloth must form around shaped fillings
• Structural spring support is not the main purpose

Choose 10oz hessian where:

• General traditional upholstery is being undertaken
• Arms, seats and backs are being covered
• A versatile medium weave is required
• Both 40″ and 72″ widths may be useful

Choose 11oz coloured hessian where:

• The colour or decorative appearance matters
• The material may remain visible
• A 40″ coloured woven cloth is required

Choose 12oz hessian where:

• A tight weave is preferred
• The cloth will cover springs
• A 72″ width is needed
• Large furniture sections are being restored

Choose 15oz hessian where:

• A very tight weave is required
• Loose hair or fibres must be contained
• A heavy foundation cloth is needed
• The cloth will sit over springs or fillings

Choose linen scrim where:

• A natural premium alternative is preferred
• Fine traditional upholstery is being undertaken
• The furniture’s original construction calls for linen

Hessian in Traditional Upholstery Construction

The position of hessian varies according to the furniture design and upholstery method.

Depending on the construction, it may be used:

• Over webbing
• Over tied coil springs
• Over zigzag springs
• Beneath hair and coir fillings
• Over loose fillings
• Across arms and backs
• As a stitched foundation layer
• To retain shaped upholstery edges

A traditional seat may contain more than one hessian layer, with different weights performing different tasks.

For example:

• Stronger hessian may cover the spring foundation.
• Hair or coir may be built above it.
• Lighter scrim may then retain and shape the filling.
• Further padding and lining layers may follow before the cover fabric.

The original construction should be photographed and recorded before dismantling furniture.

Hessian over Webbing and Springs

Hessian does not normally replace damaged webbing, broken springs or failed spring ties.

Before covering the foundation, check:

• Webbing tension
• Loose tacks or staples
• Broken springs
• Sharp clips
• Damaged spring edges
• Failed lacing
• Weak timber rails
• Previous repairs

Browse:

• Jute Upholstery Webbing
• Upholstery Springs
• Upholstery Twines

Repair the supporting structure before adding new hessian.

Measuring Hessian for Furniture

Before ordering:

1. Measure the complete section being covered.
2. Include the depth and shape of the frame.
3. Allow material for gripping and tensioning.
4. Include turning allowances.
5. Allow for corners and shaped areas.
6. Check the available cloth width.
7. Plan joins away from high-stress areas.
8. Include material for temporary fixing.
9. Allow for trial pieces where required.
10. Add an allowance for fraying and cutting waste.

The visible opening of a furniture frame is not the same as the amount of cloth required.

Extra material is needed to pull, tension and secure the hessian around the rails.

Cutting Hessian and Linen Scrim

Use sharp Upholstery Shears and Cutting Tools.

Before cutting:

• Lay the cloth flat
• Square the weave
• Check the required direction
• Mark the finished dimensions
• Add fixing allowances
• Avoid distorted edges
• Keep the material clean and dry
• Label matching sections

Hessian can fray along cut edges.

Allow enough material beyond the fixing line so loose threads do not weaken the final attachment.

For a straight edge, following a single thread through the weave can help maintain an accurate cutting line.

Fixing Hessian with Tacks or Staples

Hessian may be fixed using upholstery tacks or staples according to the furniture, frame and restoration method.

Browse:

• Upholstery Tacks
• Upholstery Staples
• Hammers and Upholstery Mallets

A practical fitting sequence is:

1. Position the cloth centrally.
2. Place temporary fixings at the centre of each side.
3. Check the weave alignment.
4. Tension opposite sides evenly.
5. Work gradually towards the corners.
6. Avoid fixing too close to a frayed edge.
7. Fold or shape corners neatly.
8. Complete any required stitching.
9. Add final fixings.
10. Trim excess material carefully.

Do not pull one edge fully tight before positioning the opposite side, as this can twist the weave and distort the furniture shape.

Stitching Hessian in Traditional Upholstery

Traditional upholstery may require hessian to be stitched to springs, fillings or previously formed edges.

Browse:

• Upholstery Twines
• Upholstery Needles

Potential techniques include:

• Spring stitching
• Bridling stitches
• Through stitches
• Stuffing ties
• Edge rolls
• Holding stitches

Choose needle and twine according to the thickness of the hessian, filling and completed upholstery section.

Avoid stitching so close to a cut edge that the thread pulls through the weave.

Hessian and Modern Lining Cloths

Traditional hessian is generally selected for internal foundation and filling-retention work.

Modern lining materials may be more appropriate for:

• The underside of furniture
• Dust covers
• Cushion platforms
• Visible internal linings
• Anti-slip cushion surfaces
• Stretch lining applications

Browse Platform Cloth, Base Cloth and Furniture Linings for Corovin, calico, interliner, cambric, needle-punch and other specialist furniture cloths.

Choose the material according to its position and purpose rather than using one cloth throughout the complete furniture item.

Storing Hessian and Linen Scrim

Store unused cloth:

• In a clean, dry area
• Away from damp
• Away from direct floor contact
• Protected from dust and workshop contamination
• Away from oils, solvents and adhesives
• Rolled or folded without heavy crushing
• Protected from rodents and insects

Allow material stored in a cold environment to reach normal workshop conditions before cutting and fitting.

Fire Safety and Furniture Compliance

Hessian and linen scrim are internal upholstery materials and should not automatically be treated as fire-barrier fabrics.

The complete furniture construction may need to include suitable:

• Combustion-modified foam
• Fire-resistant interliners
• Compliant cover fabric
• Appropriate fillings
• Permanent fire labels
• Approved upholstery methods

The applicable requirements depend on whether the furniture is intended for domestic, contract, hospitality, healthcare or another environment.

Trade Upholstery Hessian and Linen Scrim

Livedale supplies traditional upholstery hessian and natural linen scrim to professional upholsterers, furniture restorers, antique specialists, manufacturers, colleges and training workshops throughout the UK.

The range covers:

• Lightweight scrim hessian
• General-purpose medium hessian
• Coloured decorative hessian
• Wide tight-weave hessian
• Heavy tarpaulin hessian
• Natural linen upholstery scrim
• Material by the metre
• Full workshop rolls

Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Choose the cloth according to its weight, weave, width, position within the furniture and the upholstery method being used.