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DRIVER'S CUSHION FOR DICKEY SEAT.
DRIVER'S CUSHION.
Carriage Monthly August 1873.
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ATLANTA, Georgia., July, I 873.
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MR. EDITOR:--Inclosed I send you sketches
for making a driver's cushion. Suppose you want your cushion 14 by
15 inches, you will make a paper pattern that size; then take a large
piece of paper and mark line A 15 inches long, and square that 5½
inches, the height of your facing at the corner, and form line B,
and square that line parallel with line A and form line C 15 inches
in length. Now, square again and form line D. Now,
we will say your cushion wants to flare 2½ inches at the back
and 2½ inches at the side, and brought down to nothing at the
front. We will now measure 2½ inches from point E and form
point F, 5½ inches from point O. That gives you the flare on
the back at one side. Now, to get the flare on the side, measure 2½
inches from point F, and 5½ inches from point O, and form point
H. Now, square the last line 14 inches from point O, and you have
the bottom line of your cushion for one side. Now, just do the other
side the same way from point L. Draw line F from points K and H on
both sides. Sweep from points K and H, and F and L and you have the
full size of your facing. I cannot give you the exact amount of the
sweep, that varies according to the size of cushion Now, round off
the corners of the bottom a little and facing to match. Make your
cushion bottom out of three thicknesses of buckram, ¼ inch
smaller than your pattern, and when dry paste heavy duck on one side
and cotton cloth on the other side ¼ inch larger than the buckram.
This makes it the same size of your pattern, and do the facing the
same way, only put collar leather instead of duck, and raise it if
you like.
Lay your bottom off
in six equal parts both ways, and put the center of your bottom at
the center line of your facing, and lay off the same, putting the
holes for the buttons exactly in the center of the facing. Now, we
will suppose the bottom made and sewed together. You will now want
the top. I lay it off just as the sketch, allowing 1/8 inch fullness
in the center squares. In the front allow about ¾ inch in fullness;
that will leave enough to sew to. In the width allow only 1/8 inch.
On the outside row you have to leave 3 inches over and above the size
of the square and the amount of the flare. For instance, your square
is 2 inches and your flare 2½ inches, making 4½ inches,
and add 3 inches, which is 7 ½ inches. Do the same with the
back, only allow 3½ inches instead of 3 inches. You will have
fullness at each corner, which you will take out by a pleat at the
center of the back corner. In
front take the fullness out by a pleat at the first button, laying
it toward the front. On the outside row of buttons you will have to
use two tufting cords, one to the side and the other to the bottom;
and the back corner three tufting cords, one at the back, one at the
side, and one at the bottom.
I think with what explanation I have given,
and a little sound judgment, a trimmer ought to make a very good driver's
cushion.
I also send you a driver's seat fall,
which needs no explanation, except that the raisers are ½ inch
wide and half oval, and lay in 1/8 inch together, and are stitched
in between and are pointed at top as per sketch. F. C. S.
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SECURING DRIVING-CUSHIONS.
Hub January 1874 page 325.
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On several of the carriages exhibited
by Austrian manufacturers at Vienna, we noticed a new and simple method
of securing driving-cushions to the lower cushion respectively, to
prevent them from sliding out of position. The annexed illustration
will explain this contrivance.
A tenon A is fastened in the lower cushion,
and in the bottom of the driving cushion are two holes, the location
of which is so arranged that the driving cushion can either be set
on the side or in the middle, as indicated by dotted lines. In both
of these positions it is held by the same tenon.
This is a very simple and useful plan,
and we recommend its adoption to American carriage-makers.
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DRIVING-SEAT BOXES.
Carriage Monthly January 1883 page 228.
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The accompanying drawings Figs. 1,
2, 3 and 4 present as many different designs for driving-seat boxes,
which are very important factors, regarding the pleasing appearance
of a front seat or dickey-seat of such carriages to which they are
applied.
Fig. 1 illustrates the plain seat, void
of rolls or any other fixture; it is, however, a very neat and durable
seat, and should be made in the following way. Of course there are
many different ways in making the boxes, but this it is not our purpose
to discuss; however, concerning the application of a board top, we
would stoutly contend that it is far superior to the sometimes applied
"trimmed" top, because of the tendency of the latter to
eventually become bagged, there by loosening the cloth, and making
the seat at once have an old semblance. This board should not be allowed
to be nearer the top of seat than about one inch in the center and
gradually tapering to ½ inch at each end. To better explain
what is meant, we will take a box without any top on it of any kind;
it is now our design to have a board top applied to it; there are
various ways to fasten the board, but in all instances it should be
lower at about the center of the seat, to permit the application of
a little more hair at that point, without manifesting it from the
outside. This is done to make the cushion softer just at the place
where the driver is supposed to sit. 
There are various materials employed in the
trimming of these boxes; all colors of cloth are used and various
colors of leather, but cloth is, by far, the most stylish and most
in demand for high-priced work; they are also trimmed in the following
combination of material, viz, cloth sides, leather rolls, leather
or cloth center, by which is meant that portion of the seat which
is sat upon, also, leather: sides, cloth rolls, leather or cloth centers,
cloth sides, cloth rolls, plush center; the application of plush is
supposed prevent the driver from slipping, it being lied with the
nap running toward the back but ahead of all these; comes the “all-cloth"
seat with patent leather welts. This design is especially adapted
to T-carts where the trimming totally plain throughout.
Figs, 2 and 3 are alike in all respects,
excepting the concave back which is represented in Fig. 3. This feature
is thought by some to effect a more graceful appearance than perfectly
straight, as well as being perhaps better shaped to its office than
the other. Fig. 4 differs from Fig. 2 only in the respect that the
roll is continuous around the three sides, but all of them are fundamentally
similar.
In
commencing to trim one of these seats the hair, is first laid to a
satisfactory, height and, covered over with muslin, whereupon the
cloth is cut out for the center piece and rolls; the center piece
is marked out with, as much stretch taken out as the material will
permit; the rolls generally made 2 inches back and 1¾ inches
front, and are given about 1 or 1¼ inches fullness, exclusive
of the, quantity essential to fastening; they should be cut in a shape
something like that given in Fig. 5 if it is desired to finish a corner
without plaits; if cloth is used the rolls should invariably be lined
with muslin with cotton wadding intervening; there are various ways
to fasten, the rolls upon, the inner edge, but perhaps the best method
is to sew them to the center piece, and allow the center piece to
be tacked to the sides, which will hold firmly in position the rolls
and effect a tight center piece, and to effect smooth rolls it is
necessary first to draw them very tight and to use every precaution
in stuffing.
Concerning the side trimmings or facings
as they are called in an ordinary cushion, it may be said that sometimes
they may be made in one whole piece if the flare of seat is not too
much to prevent drawing them down after they have been blind tacked,
but where the flare is extensive to allow this it is necessary to
make the facings in three separate pieces, and to do this sometimes
necessitates tacking at the back mitres, which does not make a pleasing
finish; to, overcome this it is suggested to mark out the facings
on the cloth, hem the back facing upon the sewing machine, and before
tacking to place apply a long drawing-string, uniting the facing;
this string will permit the mitre to remain open until after the facings
are drawn down, when the mitres may be closed by pulling the string,
and they will appear as though they were sewed up solid. Ben Tack.
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TRIMMING DESIGNS FOR BROUGHAMS.
Carriage Monthly April 1883 page 13 & May 1883 page 36.
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...The front seat, or dickey seat,
has a square seat-valance, about 3
inches wide, and is finished with a plated molding. The driver's cushion,
box and fall were trimmed with heavy cloth and finished with patent
leather welts. The box is an open-top box, or covered with webbing,
rather than boarded over. The rolls should not be very high.... Ben
TACK.
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DRIVING BOX HOLDER.
Carriage Monthly September 1885 page 159.
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The accompanying illustration represents
a dickey-seat cushion and driver's box or cushion, usually made of
wood, which is perhaps the best way both for durability and loops.
The only difficulty that seems to be in the way is the want of a proper
application for holding the driver's box in position, and at the same
time allowing it to be adjusted from one end to the middle. The old
way was to have two iron pins attached to the box and three holes
inserted in the cushion to accommodate them, but this was
faulty because of the liability of the cloth tearing at this point,
as well as the tendency of the cushion to break out at the holes.
The way illustrated, however, is a decided
improvement in this direction, not new or original by any means, but
it is mentioned because of its simplicity, and in fact because of
its economy. It consists simply of a block of wood about 6 by 3/4
inch, applied to the cushion as seen in the cut. This block is permanent
after being once fastened to the cushion. The box has two slots cut
in the bottom, and so arranged as to adjust it either from the side
or middle.
Some trimmers cover the projecting block,
but this is not advisable, because it will soon wear off; it is therefore
preferable to simply paint it, as it is never visible.
For the convenience of the trimmer,
it is best to have the block loose or fastened with screws from the
bottom, as the cushion can be all completed without cutting around
it, which makes a weak place, so much to be avoided; the block then
is screwed on the very last thing.
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HOW TO TRIM A DRIVER'S BOX WITH ROLLS.
Carriage Monthly August 1886 page 129.
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We will not dwell on the filling up
or stuffing of the box, as they are made so many ways that a different
way has to be adopted for each box; however, let us presume a box
stuffed as seen in Fig. 1; proceed then to draw on the cloth or leather
over the top by tacking temporarily; be sure and draw it smooth around
the edges, then with chalk mark the line for the roll which may be
2 inches wide at the back corner, and 1 7/8 inches at the front; take
a flexible straight edge and mark the line as seen in Fig. 1;  then
take the cloth off and prepare the rolls as follows: if a 2-inch roll
is desired, cut the material 4 ½ inches wide and shape it as
in Fig. 2 , which has from 1/4 to 3/8 inch taken off the inside edge
at the ends of the rolls. This part is then sewed to the mark on the
cloth; it is done to help take out the wrinkles or fullness that is
sure to be found along the outside of roll; in other words never sew
the roll on straight; it is our habit of stuffing the rolls with a
stuffing stick, but always taking small quantities of hair at a time;
some prefer to lay the hair and draw the cloth over, but this is optional,
as some can do it better one way than another.
The sides and back pieces, or facings
as they may be called, can he blind-tacked on to look very nice, with
the exercise of some patience; others again prefer to blind-sew them,
but it takes longer time to do it, and no, better result is obtained.
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HOW TO MAKE DRIVING-CUSHIONS FOR LIGHT WORK.
Hub September 1886 page 366.
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Many trimmers find it no easy task
to make a driving-cushion, and, for the benefit of those who possess
no satisfactory rule for doing this kind of work, we present the accompanying
cuts together with the following hints to guide them.
Fig. 1 represents the bottom and the
facings of a driving-cushion. The bottom should not be cut less than
15 in. wide lengthwise of the cushion, and it should preferably be
16 in. if the seat will allow it, and as wide as the top of the bottom
cushion. The bottom of the driving cushion has a sweep in front of
3/8 in., and a piece of top-leather is pasted along the front to stiffen
it. Cloth is pasted over the bottom to prevent it from slipping about,
and also to prevent it from defacing the top of the seat cushion.
The bottom is laid off with five buttons each
way. The side and back, spaces must not be as large as the inner spaces.
Buckram is not fit for the rough-lining of the facings, as it will
break and crease up in turning the cushion. Dash splits make a much
better foundation for such work. Cut a neat pattern of the size of
the back and side facing, 3/8 in. less all around than the facing
is to be. Give to the top of the back facing 5/16 in. sweep.
Dampen the leather and shape the facings
neatly to the pattern. The widths of the facings are determined by
the size and style of the vehicle. Paste Russia sheeting on each side
of the leather, reserving the flesh side for the cloth or outside.
Raise the facings with felt goods, cutting it out at each button sufficiently
to let the button in on a level with the felt. Also, with a No. 6
punch, pierce through the facings for the tufting twine.
The felt or raised work should be cut
5/16 in. less all around than the patent leather. Paste the cloth
around the edge, from the raised work, and at the buttons. Press the
cloth down at the buttons with tack leathers. Stitch the facings around
the raised work upon the machine. Draw the lines a a a a and b b b
b on the facings. Use a small cord at the miters, and sew them strong,
using the jaws of the horse.
The top can be calculated before the
facings are sewed to the bottom. The two lines on each facing are
the guide. No fullness is allowed between the buttons, and none between
the a and b marks on the top, but it should correspond with a and
b as marked on the facing. At the front allow 3/4 in. At the sides,
near the back, allow 2 ½ in. over the bottom, gradually diminishing
toward the front. At the back allow 1 1/4 in. fullness from b on the
side facing to a on the back facing. Give the cloth at the back 3/8
in. sweep from the corners.
Before rounding off the corners of the
cloth, cut the miters. These are very easily calculated by measuring
from line b to a, and whatever fullness is found between these two
lines must be taken out at the miters. When this has been done, the
corners can be rounded off, but not too much, for a little fullness
at the corners is necessary to form the roll on the sides.
Mark for the buttons on the cloth with
a small punch, and also at a and b. Line the cloth with muslin, with
cotton in between. Baste the cloth to the muslin and wadding around
the edges, and take a stitch at each tuft-mark to keep the wadding
in place. Sew the miters upon the machine, and press them out with
a hot iron.
When the facings have been sewed to
the bottom, turn them, and beat the edges down around the cord-welt.
Baste the cord-welt to the top of the facings with the facings right
side out. Piece the cord-welt near the center of the back facing.
Then turn the facing out again, and baste the top to lines a a and
b b. Leave the mouth open at the back facing between the miters a
a. Sew the top in with a back-stitch on the facing side, and sew a
muslin division in; but let the muslin be loose, for, if it is strained
or tight between the facings, it will kink them in drawing in the
tufts.
After the cushion has been turned, then
beat down the edges around the cord, and twine the corners with double
twine and two single twines between the corners at the back and front.
Fig. 3 represents a frame on which to nail the cushion while stuffing
and tufting it. It is merely an ordinary frame, made of four strips
of poplar nailed together at the corners. Letter a represents a loose
board which is placed on the frame after the cushion has been tacked
out.
After the cushion has been stuffed,
the board is withdrawn until the cushion is tufted. Take a stitch
at each tuft-mark at the mouth, until the tufts are all drawn in.
Then finish stuffing out the back corners and facing, and close the
mouth with the division.
In sewing the cloth to the welt, try
to conceal the stitches; and, to prevent the thread from marking the
welt and facing, rub it off well with a cloth after it has been waxed.
Next cut, the surplus twine from the buttons, and, with a bench-awl,
work the ends under the buttons. Then again place the board under
the cushion, and let the cushion remain on the frame until it is wanted.
U. No.
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HOW DICKEY-SEATS SHOULD BE MADE.
Carriage Monthly October 1887 page 193.
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Driver's boxes, or dickey-seats, should
always be made with a wooden bottom in place of web, as it has been
demonstrated that web cannot be fastened or tacked sufficiently strong
to bear the weight of a heavy man. Even if the tacks do not draw,
the trimming, in time, will be found sinking in the center, caused
by the strain on the web, which can in no way be prevented, except
by having wood
to take the place of web as before stated, which will also make the
seat solid, as should always be the case with dickey-seats, and yet
will not be uncomfortable, if the board be not too near the top and
properly covered with hair. In trimming, probably the difficult part
would be to get a smooth and well-shaped roll; this can easily be
done by cutting the cloth for the roll with a good sweep, say about
3/4 inch, to be sewed next to the center of seat. That the meaning
may not be misconstrued, let us state that the roll is to be sewed
on a straight line, as seen in Fig. 2, on the center piece, the 3/4
being fulness in inside of roll as seen in Fig. 1. The reason for
doing this can readily be seen, as the extra 3/4 allows the roll to
stuff up full in the center, with out taking so much from the outside
edge and leaving it thrown around in such a shape as to cause wrinkling
along the tacks, which, in part, is a defect sought to be remedied
by cutting the roll in this manner.
In re-covering old driver's boxes a
great deal of time can be saved by covering right over the old trimming,
with one piece of cloth, and mitering the corners by sewing with two
needles and trimming cloth close to stitches. The old welt makes the
edges nice and round, and will not cut through the cloth. In making
falls for front seats use kersey one inch wide, about 3/4 inch from
edge, and bind with bow leather; sticks need not be placed in any
falls, as they are more durable without, for if made of wood they
are continually breaking; and if made of iron, will be found tearing
out at the ends. C. A. BROUGHAM.
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DRIVING-CUSHION FOR SURREYS AND T-CARTS.
Hub May 1889 page 126.
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The accompanying sketch represents
a good driving-cushion for Surreys or T-carts, and when well made
it adds very much to the appearance of the vehicle. The bottom is
made of canvas lined with cloth, a piece of top-leather, 4 in. wide,
is pasted across the front between the canvas and the cloth. When
marking for the tufts, use knob-punch to mark for the first row of
tufts; this will allow the eye of the button and the twine to pass
through the lining-piece, and the button to lay flat on the bottom.
The facings are more elastic when made of grain dash-leather, with
muslin or linen pasted on the flesh side. Glass, or sandpaper the
varnish off, and back the facings with thin top-leather; raise the
facings with felt goods, and, on the side and back facings cut around
the tuft-holes sufficiently for the button to draw in to the level
of the cloth. Punch the holes in the facings with knob-punch. The
front facing at the front corner is 2 in. wide rounded down to 1 in.,
and 3 in. wide at the back corner; this measurement means the foundation-pieces
before they are pasted out. The cushion looks better when a light
cord is sewn in the miters of the facings, The cushion-top has a light
roll formed after the cushion has been tufted. There should be no
fullness between the tufts. 3/4-in. fullness is allowed on the sides
and back to form the raise; the fullness in the cloth is taken out
at the miters; the back miter is concaved to suit the fullness of
the cloth, and the front miter is merely notched or a piece taken
out from the front of the tuft. ½-in. fullness is sufficient
to allow in the front between the first row of tufts and the facing.
Sew a cloth welt in the miters, leave the mouth open at the back of
the cushion, make the division out of thin canvas and punch holes
to correspond with those at the bottom. The sketch represents five
rows of tufts lengthwise, and four rows crosswise. We think that five
rows crosswise would be better, as it would give a lighter roll to
the side facings. Before stuffing the cushion, tack it out on a frame
with a loose board under the bottom so that it can be removed when
the cushion is stuffed and ready for the tufting. When the tufts have
been drawn in and the cushion finished, replace the board and let
the cushion remain on the frame until needed for the job. Uno.
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TRIMMING FOR A CABRIOLET.
Carriage Monthly July 1889 page 108-109 August 1889 page 136 September
1889 page 169.
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...The trimming for the dickey-seat
consists of two boxes made in wood, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8; the
former is the cushion box, and is made the exact size of the seat
board, the cushion being cut
out for the irons of the rail, as shown in the cut. These boxes are
grooved or rabbeted out to allow the trimming material to be tacked
to it. The bottom for these boxes are made of wood, about ½
inch from the top, the old fashion straining web being done away with.
The front edge of these cushions is rounded, the cloth passing over
if without a welt, as was sometimes used.
The driving box, Fig. 8, is made as
usual, but has a wooden bottom, as seen in the cut; the back edge
of this box
is concaved; the reason for this is that coachmen complained of the
edge of the back facing or wall when made straight; the rolls for
these boxes can be in two ways. One is to sew the rolls to the cloth,
and the other to tack the rolls to the blocking, which is applied
to this box as shown. This is the easier way, and perhaps the best;
these blockings are made about 2 inches wide, or just as wide as it
is desired to finish the roll. This will make the rolls more solid
than if sewed. The best way that we have yet seen to hold these boxes
in place is by the use of the small, block which we show in Fig. 7.
There are holes cut in the under bottom of the driving box to accommodate
this block, the block being located so that by the use of two holes
in the driving box, the box can be used on the right side of the cushion
as well as in the center....
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DRIVING-BOX FOR DICKEY-SEAT.
Hub August 1889 page 355.
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The accompanying sketch shows the
side or end-view of a driving-box for dickey-seat. When this box is
made properly, that is, with a neat sweep to the top of the driving-box,
and a sufficient curve given to the lower part to prevent the bottom
of the box from resting on the cloth of the lower box, the front of
the lower box nicely rounded off, and both of the boxes neatly trimmed,
it adds a great deal to the appearance of the front of the vehicle:
but, when it is carelessly and poorly made, and is slovenly trimmed,
it is anything but an ornament to the front of a carriage. It cannot
be expected of the trimmer to make a good job if he has a poor box
to build upon. We give the following as a good way to have the driving-box
made:
After the size and the sweep of the
box has been determined upon, make the sides and the back out of 5/8-in.
stuff, either soft ash or hard poplar. Frame the back pieces to the
side pieces, half the thickness of the wood, letting the side pieces
lap the back. Frame a 2-in. piece of ash across the front, 1 in. thick,
with the front rounded off to suit the sweep of the side pieces at
the corner. The back and the side pieces are lined with poplar 3/4
in. thick, extending to within 3/4 in. of the top of the side, and
the back pieces, with the edges chamfered off. These lining pieces
are glued and screwed from the inside, and canvased all over with
scrims. The bottom board is made of thin roof stuff, and canvased
from the inside. The surface on the outside should be smooth, and
when the box is finished, it should be coated all over with good oil
lead.
The trimmer can either use strain web
for the foundation, or a piece of old dash-leather. This is tacked,
of course, to the lining-pieces. If web is used, draw a piece of buckram
over the web to prevent the hair from falling through. Draw buckram
over the top of the box, leaving the mouth open at the back. Stuff
between the two buckrams with good hair.
The cloth for the sides and back is
cut in one piece and is tacked to the top and bottom of the box. The
cloth from the top is cut to fit the box on the sides, and large enough
to blind-tack at the back, and to tack under on the front. Line the
cloth with good muslin. Draw chalk lines two inches on each side for
the rolls. Baste a cord welt to the chalk-lines, cutting the cord
away back and front. Cut the cloth for the rolls 3 ½ in. wide,
with the inside edge at the top and the bottom, well sloped off so
as to avoid clumsy corners. Line the roll pieces with muslin with
cotton in between. Sew the rolls to the cord with a good thread, using
a back-stitch.
Tack a rattan welt around the top of
the box. Let it hug close to the edge of the box, using plenty of
tacks well driven in. Blind-tack the back part from roll to roll close
to the welt, using a strip of oil carpet or dash-leather the width
of the board from the cord. Tack the front part of the cloth to the
bottom of the box, leaving the end of the rolls open. Take E silk
doubled and well rubbed off, so as not to have it kinky, and blind-sew
the roll in, commencing at the back part. Take several stitches first
with a short stitch to the welt, and a long stitch to the cloth, but
do not draw the stitches up until six or eight have been taken, then,
with bench awl, work up each stitch. Continue in this manner until
the roll is sewed in. The rolls can be filled with hair or wadding.
Use no cord at the bottom, for it would
chafe the cloth on the lower box. Line the bottom of the box with
thin black canvas. The lower box is made plain, and with cord welts.
The cloth is mitered at the back of the box and near the corner, and
can be sewed in with a blind-stitch, or nicely gimped. The front corner
is mitered at the part cut out to fit around the seat-rail. UNO.
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LATEST STYLES OF DICKEY SEATS AND DRIVING CUSHIONS.
Carriage Monthly October 1890 page 219 & November 1890 page
250.
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The style, construction and finish
of dickey seats and driving cushions for light, medium and heavy work
varies considerable, and a few illustrations
will suffice to give trimmers some idea relating to its construction
and general make-up. Light work, such as Kensingtons, surreys and
phaetons, carrying four persons, usually have a driving cushion made
up soft,
and some are made over a wooden frame, principally for broughams,
landaus, &c. On T-carts generally both cushions, front and back,
and also the driving cushion, is trimmed plain; consequently they
are all made over wooden frames, and as the front seat is turning
over to make a passage for the back seat, the cushion must be in two
parts, as illustrated in Fig.1. The finish is plain, with and without
raisers, and the edges bound with leather or the same cloth as the
trimming. A few years ago the edges were all bound with leather, while
at present there are many made bound with cloth. Almost
all of those finished plain have a strap in the center of the cushion,
and also one in center of driving cushion.
In Fig. 2 we illustrate a surrey seat also made
to turn over, and consequently the cushion and fall must be made in
two pieces each on the majority of this work the seats are finished
with squares, and the driving cushion as illustrated, what is termed
made up soft. In most cases the falls have 7/8-inch raisers, or only
stitched around the edges. Straps same as on T-carts.
Fig. 3 shows a surrey where the entrance
is between the two seats; consequently the cushion is made in one,
the driving cushion resting on top without any straps. The cushion,
and also the driving cushion, are trimmed over a wooden frame, and
have plain finish, with the exception of rolls on driving cushion,
and 7/8-inch raisers on fall. For heavy work such as cabriolets, Victorias,
broughams, coaches,
landaulets, and landaus, the finish is generally plain, always made
up over wooden frames, but the style varies, as, we will show in the
following illustrations.
Fig. 4 illustrates a plain cushion,
and also driving seat plain, without rolls, which are only made occasionally.
The fall has 7/8-inch raiser, and the edges of cushion, driving
cushion and fall are bound with leather. The back skirt corners are
square, and the front ones rounded only partly on top and bottom.
Fig. 5 is a style generally made in
the best shops; cushions plain, made over wooden frames, and
rolls on driving cushion. The finish of the fall has either 7/8-inch
raisers, round or flat round shape, or finished with two half-round
heads, 5/16 or 3/8 inch in size. Back and front corners of skirt rounded
as illustrated.
Fig. 6 is one of the latest styles in
heavy work. The iron rail is more curved on the back end, and a great
deal more on the front end. The cushion is finished plain, and the.
driving cushion
has rolls the same as Fig. 5. The corners on the falls are rounded,
and finished with beads around the edges. The shape of fall finished
with beads is considered new, and some have been made for the Fall
work.
Fig. 7 illustrates one of those styles made
for several years past for Victorias, cabriolets, broughams and coaches.
The entire driving seat consists of a wooden frame, and the cushion
is done away with. The skirt is rounded back and front, and the fall
finished as usual.
Fig. 8 is the same as Fig. 7, with a driving
cushion only over the entire frame, but the shape of the driving cushion
is swept hollow instead of being round, also the fall has a different
shape. Fig. 7 is preferred to Fig. 8, for form. Fig. 9 illustrates
the construction of a break seat, showing the cushion and driving
seat; generally there is a double rail proportioned to meet the requirements
of the body. The cushion is separated from the driving cushion, and
both resting direct on the seat. The cushion is finished with square
blocks, plain front and two straps. The driving cushion is made up
plain, a great deal larger than those made for coaches, and heavy
rolls on each side. Two straps fastened as illustrated. The fall is
finished with two half-round beads, 1 3/4 inches apart.
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DESIGN OF TRIMMING FOR DICKEY-SEAT OF BROUGHAM.
Hub October 1890 page 522.
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The dickey-box is made to slant up
to the bottomside of the seat-rail (usually seven inches), as shown
in the accompanying sketch. The top of this box should be sunk one
inch below the sides,
to allow space for sufficient hair to make a firm yet somewhat pliable
foundation for the upper or driver's-cushion to rest upon.
This box is trimmed in the usual plain
style, with either cloth or leather welts, cloth being preferable
in wearing quality to leather, which latter soon becomes rusty looking.
The upper cushion should be a firm,
tufted cushion, but not a plaited cushion, with a stiff facing cut
wedge-form to four inches in height, at the back. The corners are
made rounding as shown in sketch.
The best fastening for this cushion
is a small strap at the center of the back facing to buckle to the
seat-rail, and two small straps sewed into the front seam to knob
on the under side of the dickey-box. B.
Streeter.
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WOODING-UP DRIVER'S--SEAT READY FOR TRIMMER.
Hub March 1891 page 963.
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The three illustrations here represented,
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, show an ordinary landau seat "wooded-up,"
ready for trimming.
The frame, X, which supports the driver's-box,
A, is got out of 2 x 1 ½ in. whitewood, and well secured at
the corners by screws and glue. The
panels or bottom-boards, 3/8 in. thick, are rabbeted into the top
of this frame, and secured and nailed down. The upper or driver's-box
should be made stout and strong. Use 1 in. pine or whitewood for the
sides and back; for the top-board (see dotted line BB, Fig. 1), 3/8
in. whitewood; and for the bottom-board, ½ in., slightly concaved,
and well-canvased on the inside (see line O, Fig. I).
In Fig. 2, half the front is illustrated,
showing
the flare of the skirt, which is got out of 5/8 x 1 1/4 in. whitewood,
and securely nailed to the bottom of the seat. This view also shows
the lamp-irons, extension of seat-rail, etc.
Fig. 3 shows the top view. At A, the
driver's-box, we have drawn dotted lines C C, which show the positions
of holes in the bottom panel of the box. A block, 6 x 1 1/4 in. ash.
is screwed to the lower frame, X, in the correct position to meet
the above-mentioned holes in the box. This is a simple and effective
way to keep the driver's-box secure. WHITEWOOD.
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Driving Boxes for Coaches.
Carriage Monthly July 1892 page 111.
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There is a tendency to discard the
old fashioned way of making the boxes for a dickey seat on Berlin
coaches, landaus, and demi-coaches. The change
is a wise one. Generally speaking, it answers all the purposes of
such jobs. There is less to get out of order, and it is always ready
for one or two persons. The accompanying illustration shows the shape
of the one box that is used. It has a top on it, made in the shape
of a regular dickey seat, except at the front edge.
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TUFTED DRIVING CUSHION.
Carriage Monthly April 1894 page 14.
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We give in Fig. 1 a full sketch of
the bottom and facings of a tufted driving cushion. There is no flare
to the back facings, and the side facing has the flare of the seat.
The bottom is laid off for five tufts each way, as is customary for
this kind of cushion, but it can be easily changed to four tufts without
altering the shape of the facings or the size of the tops. The space
on the side, from the tufts to the edge, is 2 inches and 1¼
inches at the back, and the dotted
line across the front of the bottom represents a stay or stiffening
for the front. There is a small sweep given to the front of the bottom,
which is necessary to keep the front straight after the cushion is
stuffed. The bottom should be lined with cloth, with cotton between,
so as not to wear or chafe the top of the seat cushion. The tuft holes
in the facings are made with a No. 7 knob punch. This will let the
eye of the button work free, and will allow the button to lay close
to the facings. The lines at the corners of the bottom and across
the facings should be observed in fitting up the cushion.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate four
different styles to make the top. Fig. 4 has a roll mitre at the back
corners, and when tufted forms a roll on the sides and back. Allow
1½ inches fullness to the top at the back mitres,
gradually rounding away toward the front on the side facing. Fig.
3 is made in the same manner and has the same fullness, but has a
straight mitre at the back corners. It also forms a roll on the side
and back. Fig. 4 is different. It has a roll on the sides but none
on the back; the top has the same fullness at the sides, but only
5/8 inch at the back facing and 5/8 inch on the front. All of the
mitres but should have a thin welt in them. The tops should be lined
with muslin, with cotton between.
Fig. 5 is a plain top with only ½
inch fullness all around. No fullness is allowed in either of the
tops between the tufts. A very good plan to get the exact fullness
and the sweep of the top, is to first sew the bottom to the facings,
then
lay the tuft lines of the top off, place the facings on the cloth,
spreading the side facing out in about the manner it ought to be when
finished, and dot around
and the back facing with chalk. Allow 1½ inches fullness, gradually
lessening the fullness toward the front.
This is a simple and a correct plan
to get the right shape to the top where there are only side and back
facings. Sew the division in strong, and have it to fit neatly to
the facings. Leave the mouth open at the back, cord the bottom of
the cushion at the corners, and two between on the
front and the back. Tack the cushion on a frame that has a portable
bottom, and in stuffing the bottom pay, particular attention to filling
up the facing. Don't get too much hair in the middle of the cushion.
Do not fasten the division at the mouth. Merely take, a stitch or
so for the present. In stuffing up the top be careful to get the hair
full and regular around the roll. Do not get it too full in the center.
Close the mouth with a stitch or two, I. e, tie it to the welt in
two places, draw the board from the bottom and draw in the tufts.
Let the tufts in the facings be the
last to adjust. Be careful not to draw them in too tight, so as not
to get the facings out of shape. Have a watchful eye also while drawing
them in to the roll. After all of the tufts have been drawn in, place
the board under the bottom, and if there are any weak or loose places
in the stuffing, make it good before the mouth is closed up. Keep
the cushion on the frame and sponge the top and the facings with warm
ammonia water, a teaspoonful of ammonia to a quart of water. Use the
sponge with the nap of the cloth, and lay the cushion aside until
thoroughly dry.
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DICKEY SEAT DRIVING BOX CUSHION.
Hub November 1895 page 594.
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The two accompanying sketches illustrate
a common-sense way to make and trim a driving seat.
Fig. 1 illustrates the back part of
the box and the way it is trimmed, also the device by which the driving
seat is secured to the seat-box; there is no other change from the
usual way of making and trimming the box except in the back. The heavy
dark curve line noted in the sketch represents a leather cord welt,
also the top edge of the box. The box is made with a board division.
starting at the curve line. A piece of good strain web is tacked across
the back of the box under the side rolls, with one edge flush with
the back of the box; the web ought to be well stretched and firmly
fastened. Then draw a piece of duck canvas over the top of the box,
stretch it taut each way, tack it to the sides first, turn the canvas
over the web and point a few tacks along the curve line, fill the
space up with good hair and with needle and tufting twine quilt the
hair to the canvas and web, forming a square, even firm corner. This
part of the work is done in about the same manner that the upholsterer
forms the front of a chair before the outside goods is drawn over.
After working up the corner in a rounded manner, finish stuffing from
the front of the box. Draw the tacks from the canvas at the back and
make good the loose places in the hair.
The side rolls are made in the usual
way, except the center roll on the large box, which is made on a piece
of zinc cut the right width and length with the edges rounded off;
cover the zinc with leather and punch in three small holes through
the center, spaced off between the two ends; drive small nails without
heads; in the center division allow them to stand up ½ in.
from the wood; space these nails off to suit the holes in the zinc;
make the roll in the zinc complete, except the ends, which are left
open. Place the roll on the nails and hold it firmly down until the
zinc is nailed down at the ends. The pointed nails are to prevent
the roll from moving from a straight position.
The cloth for the sides and the back
of the boxes is to be cut into three pieces and blind tacked to the
cord welt. Fit a piece of thin cardboard to cover the whole surface
of the sides and back. Tack the cardboard nicely on and draw the cloth
over without any cotton; turn under the edges of the cloth at the
corners and form a neat welt by stitching them together with two needles
and machine silk. The fastenings on the driving box are made of harness
leather, covered with two pieces of goatskin pasted on and creased
down along the edge of the harness leather, when dry, with two rows
of machine stitching. Trim the edges of the goatskin off close to
the stitching, black and nicely rub them up. Fasten the straps to
the driving box with a roundhead screw, and a leather loop screwed
on over the strap at the bottom of the box. Make the lower part of
the strap with a silver curtain fastener. Cover the lower seat box
without any cord welt, the cloth that covers the box to be in one
place; turn under the corners of the cloth and stitch the same as
for the driving box.
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TO TRIM AN OPEN SURREY.
Hub May 1896 page 116.
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...It will be seen that the driver's
cushion is made with a regular front facing and
rests on the seat bottom, which we think is much neater than to rest
on the top of a long cushion. The bottom is made from pebble duck,
with leather patches at the buttonholes. The front facing is cut 1
5/8 in. wide, the side facings 6½ in. at the back and narrowed
down to 1 5/8 in. at the front, the back facing being of canvas 6½
in. wide, and is flared back with the seat. The top is made up with
3/4 in. fulness, back and front, and 5/8 in. sidewise. The top is
plaited to the partition, and stuffed upon a frame. The lower part
of the cushion is stuffed from the back at the top. The side and back
facings are tufted corresponding to the top and bottom tufts on the
outer edge. All the buttonholes in the partition at the side and back
rows, at least, should have leather patches, as these buttons must
stand the additional strain of the side tufts....
illustration Carriage Monthly March 1903 back cover.
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