Replacing the upholstery of a sofa can be a useful way to add a personal touch to commercial or outdated furniture. This process may be quite difficult, but the results are worth it, especially if you enjoy self-employment. With a little help and guidance, these crafts are actually quite fun and rewarding.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Unlocking the Old Upholstery
Step 1. Choose the right sofa
Believe it or not, just like a modifiable car, most furniture is designed to have the upholstery replaceable. Just because the upholstery of the sofa looks worn, doesn't mean you have to throw it away. You can still use it.
Step 2. Choose a sofa that suits your taste
At the very least, look for a sofa that can be styled into something you love once you're done.
Step 3. Take a picture of the sofa before applying the upholstery
Take pictures of the sofa before unscrewing it, and during "fixing it". Take pictures of the inside and outside, front and back. Take a close-up in a slightly hidden part.
A sofa isn't as complicated as a machine, but this craft takes a long time, so it's a good idea to have photo documentation for reference. You never know when you have to repeat the process and attach the parts of the sofa before the upholstery is removed
Step 4. Remove the parts of the sofa in the following order
Be careful not to damage the old upholstery of the sofa or other necessary parts, such as sofa cushions, when removing it. Or, remove the upholstery in the following order:
- After turning the sofa over (top to bottom, or back to front), remove the protective fabric and upholstery on the underside.
- Turn the sofa back over and remove the upholstery on the back, arms, inside of the back, and inside of the arms and neck of the sofa.
- If the old upholstery is the right size, you can use it as a new upholstery pattern. Save this old upholstery until the sofa is finished repairing, so that it can be used as a reference if necessary.
Step 5. Check for damaged sofa cushions
Once the sofa upholstery has been removed, check to see if any of the padding needs to be replaced. If the sofa cushions need replacing, buy high-quality foam (1-1.3 kg) that will last for years. Cheaper foam usually breaks down faster.
The price of high-quality foam can go up very quickly. The price of this kind of foam is related to the price of petroleum which is the basic material. However, do not replace it with another foam, or your sofa will look good, but not comfortable to use
Method 2 of 2: Creating a New Upholstery
Step 1. Use the image as a guide
When creating and assembling a new upholstery, you may need to revisit the collection of pictures of the sofa taken when you started removing the parts, or seek advice from someone more experienced.
Step 2. Cut your fabric
Find a flat, spacious place (such as a large table or floor) to unroll the fabric and cut it. Use the old upholstery as the pattern for the new fabric cut. Place the old upholstery on top of the new fabric so that you can save on the new fabric.
- Add 1.2 cm at the edge of the fabric for the hem.
- Add 2.5-7.5 cm at the end of the upholstery so it can be attached to the sofa.
Step 3. Sew the fabric
Strong metal sewing machines will give better results and last longer than today's plastic sewing machines. Use the zipper holder to sew the corners of the fabric. Use strong thread and needle for sewing. Use a seam width of 1.2 cm.
Step 4. Prepare strong staples to attach the new upholstery to the sofa
If you don't have one, buy high-quality staples and use them.
Step 5. Begin by attaching the new fabric in the reverse order of removal
First, attach the sofa seat, then the arms and inner back respectively. Whatever method you use to attach the fabric, be sure to pull it tight or the upholstery will stretch over time.
Once the inside is in place, measure, and sew the sofa cushions. If the sofa cushions are too large or too small, adjust them to fit the seat by loosening or tightening the arms and inner back of the sofa. After that, attach the arms and the outer back
Step 6. Show off the new sofa once you're done
Perhaps this is actually the most important step.
Tips
- Use a thick cloth. Sofas will be sat on, jumped on, spilled on, rubbed, moved, used as bedding, etc. So, buy fabrics that are thick and durable.
- Just do it once right. You should pay a little more to get good material.
- Buy fabrics that are on sale.
- Often times, you will have to make new sofa cushions as well. If you're buying furniture that needs to be upholstered, choose one that doesn't require new filling. Foam and pillows are quite expensive, so the costs involved are too great.
- Try to find furniture that doesn't require a lot of sewing.
- For repairing wooden furniture: hardwood can be repainted in a lighter, darker or even different color. If you are repainting the wood, remove the upholstery and other parts beforehand.
- Furniture is a unique object. Even a professional sofa builder has a hard time learning it. Some things can only be learned and mastered after failing a few times, and unfortunately, sofas fall into this category.
- If you must sew, wait until the very last moment, in case any of the following changes: fabric, pillow thickness, color, wood paint, etc. If you have to sew yourself, use the old pillows as a guide, as they have been sized to fit the sofa.
Warning
Old and antique furniture has foam that is highly flammable, or emits very high temperature flames if it catches fire
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