Bourlet
Bourlet is a technical term used in the upholstery industry and stands for edge protection (Bourlet = bead on the upholstery edge).
The purpose of a bourlet is to serve as an aid in the production of upholstery for forming straight edges on arm and back parts.
Ready-made bourlets are generally used today. The Bourlet cord is tightly wound like a hose and consists of upholstery fillers (e.g. straw , Africa ) inside. The Bourlet made of soft PVC or composite foam is available ready-made in many sizes and shapes. The processing is very easy and quick, as they are only nailed or pinned to the frame.
Traditionally, the Bourlet is part of a Fasson compacted (Formpolster) and denotes the different sewing stitches (garnish) and thereby hard edge region of a Fasson; or it is an independent bourlet, made according to the same principle and nailed to the wooden frame.
This Bourlet type, which is very laborious to produce, is mainly found only in classic upholstered sofas or armchairs that were manufactured from the end of the 19th century to the 1960s. An approx. 15 to 20 cm wide strip of tensioning cord was placed on the front edge z. B. nailed an armrest. At the corners and curves, the tension cord is kept a little and placed in small folds. The tensioning line is nailed on with a narrow cardboard strip approx. 1 cm from the edge. Then the loose filling material, which usually consists of African or Elancrin, is rolled into the tension cord on the armrest support and formed into a bead. Waxed strong hemp threads (garnish threads) function as thread. After slamming, the bourlet is garnished with a ladder and back stitch.