Need advice on DIY Reupholstery

Question

I'm thinking trying reupholstering a sofa - got any tips/advice? Is there more stapling than sewing involved (obviously depending on the number of loose cushions)?? I've attached a few potential options. You can also get more on my thought process here - http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/dare-i-try-upholstery.html

Douglas Hunt · Answer

You might want to take a class before taking on a sofa, as was recommended in this post: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/q-how-do-i-reupholster-a-chair-91296

Jeanette S · Answer

I applaud that you want to do this, but with the little experience I have had with some simple pieces, upholstering is not a simple task and these pieces are going to take talent in this field! If the price is right, these are good classic pieces, but having this done can be expensive. Be prepared to put out big bucks...and the fabric is very pricey! Even still, with these 3 pieces, you can probably come out better redoing unless you have a good source to buy at discounted prices.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs this one is up your alley...

Anna · Answer

here is great info on upholstery. the amount of sewing depends on the project. http://charishumin.blogspot.com/2010/03/reupholstery-101-day-1-deployment.html?m=1

Anna · Answer

you may also want to consider slip covering a sofa miss mustard seed has a great tutorial

Crystal - 29 Rue House · Answer

Thanks everyone for your input and the links! I really want to try this so I'll keep you posted!

Eclectically Vintage - Kelly · Answer

I want sofa #1 - it's fabulous and I love the fabric as is!

Storywood Designs · Answer

I love that chair. Good luck with your project - I'm impressed and can't wait to see how it turns out!

Linda Steiff · Answer

Take apart each piece carefully this way you will have patterns to follow and take alot of pictures and I even wrote down where I took the piece from and how it was attached! Wish you the best with the projects!

Stephanie (Sandpaper & Glue) · Answer

I recommend you check out Brook at All Things Thrifty. I find her tutorials really understandable: http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2009/11/reupholstering-101-how-to-reupholster.html

Kaytedec · Answer

Wanted to comment and noticed that this was from January 2013! It's now October 2014 and I wonder what you ended up doing. Recently I've noticed a trend in painting furniture with chalk paint, that was going to be my suggestion but the piece would have to be in good shape to begin with.

The Porch · Answer

If you can upholster a chair, you can do a sofa. A class will be helpful. Otherwise, there are great tutorials on u-tube. The best book, I have read recently is Spruce, a Step-by-step Guide to Upholstery and Design by Amanda Brown. She also has a great web site. Now about you choices, the Camel back sofa is going to be an easier project if you want to minimize sewing. The other sofa has an attached back cushions which are definitely more involved and require more sewing experience. So I would go with the camel back. You can do this! Just read up and take your time!

Brenda Lofton · Answer

Start w/ something small. Foe me it was difficult and fabric very expensive. Especially when matching fabric pattern as well as piping. Also VERY time consuming. When I was a lot younger, I tried a wingback chair........ disaster. Since, I have done dining room chair bottoms, back and bottom of antique chairs and a bench for end of bed.. My suggestion is start small.

Wynona · Answer

You can also use chalk paint on fabric just be sure to water down the paint

Adrianne C · Answer

The most tedious part of recovering a sofa is pulling the staples or tacks!

Mary T · Answer

Don't forget your fabric pieces to use as patterns.  And take your time.  You can do it.

Minky · Answer

The camel back sofa seems like it would be the easiest one to reupholster. Slip covers are much more sewing intensive than upholstering will be. I just made my very first slip covers (used canvas drop cloths) and it was a beast of a job, but got easier w/ each one. All turned out GREAT though, so it was totally worth it. You can do it, just take your time, watch lots of videos first, and maybe try out some drop cloths if you like that look (very inexpensive).

Annie Doherty · Answer

Great ideas here, I would make the seat covers first, then break the project down into manageable pieces. You can make pattern pieces out of brown paper or large newspaper sheets. Ensuring you include hem allowance and just take your time. The old adage measure twice and cut once definitely applies here. Minkys' idea of using drop cloths is very sound and cost effective, you could use these cloths transferred from  brown/newspaper as a pattern to ensure sizes are correct before cutting your upholstery fabric, good luck.

Nicki · Answer

Take pictures & notes of each step of stripping the old fabric so you can use them as reference when recovering.

when tearing down your piece list the sequence of removing the old fabric, then recover in the reverse order.  Change one long seat cushion into 2 or 3 smaller ones.  This is easier & looks much nicer when done.  Allow extra fabric for mistakes & can be used for toss cushions if not needed.

Stephen-Emmy Winters · Answer

Hi,

I happen to come across this page. I imagine that the project is long finished, but other people might benefit. I am a professional upholsterer since 1966. I have put together website containing hundreds of pages to answer many questions about upholstery. One of the pages of the website gives information on how to recover a sofa. You can find that website here: http://upholsteryresource.com/reupholster_a_sofa You can also look at the child pages of this page to find more information.

Best Wishes,

Stephen Winters

Annie Doherty · Answer

Thank you Stephen, I will log in to your site asap, I so envy your skills as an Upholsterer I'm certain we can all learn so much from your expertise. Upholstery is so satisfying and can change a piece of furniture totally I love trying, thanks for you assistance very much appreciated.

Need advice on DIY Reupholstery

How do I reupholster a chair

Suggested Project Book

15 Privacy Fences That Will Turn Your Yard Into a Secluded Oasis

Other

More

Need advice on DIY Reupholstery

How do I reupholster a chair

Suggested Project Book