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advice on reupholstery

13 years ago

We have a sofa that some ambitious soul in the past tried to reupholster from scratch and failed miserably, and it's way past time to fix it. I've helped my mother reupholster garage-sale finds and understand the concept of reverse-engineering an upholstery project by using the bones, padding, original fabric as template, etc.; the problem is, because of the incredibly bad current upholstery job, this sofa has nothing I can use except the wood frame.

It's a contemporary sofa with lines that shouldn't be difficult to reconstruct in fabric for a decent job, I just can't use the too-soft, miscut, sagging padding, and I don't know anything about padding a frame from scratch.

Anybody know any fairly easy to understand and really good books on basic upholstering? My local library has tons of choices at various branches, but I'd like to get an opinion on relative usefulness before I start requesting every book they have (or getting interlibrary loans).

Thanks!

P.S. I've linked to a sofa that looks exactly like ours, just shorter.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

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Comments (4)

nicole__
13 years ago
WOW! I love that sofa. It would be an easy upholstery job.....but the only book I own was not helpful. It was full of pictures and lengthy descritions.....just nothing I could relate to. I'd do like you said....get a bunch of library books. They don't cost anything....then plow right in!! You'll be fine....
coloritbeautiful
13 years ago
You are making it harder than it has to be. The answer is slip covers. Slip covers are now ready made in many styles, sizes and colors, and do not cost much. Do a google search for slip covers, and your problem will be solved.

Here is a link that might be useful: coloritbeautiful
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I have a wonderful reupholsterer down in High Point, NC. He's been in business for 30 years and has a worldwide clientele (including former North Carolina Senator John Edwards who has been a repeat customer.) The most amazing thing is that his prices are very reasonable. If you are interested, his name is Glenn Laughlin. He does not have a computer but can be reached 7 days a week at 336-431-6602.
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My sofa is 30 years old! I did have it reupholstered about ten years ago. It looks great, is comfortable, and works well with my other furniture. I'll definitely re-upholster it (again) before I replace it. Granted, fabric and labor are not cheap. My kids were 4 and 6 when I purchased it, and we have had dogs through the years. I didn't let the two-footed kids or the four-footed ones jump on it or spill on it, but it has been used. It has never been in one of those living rooms that is never occupied. I have seen some fabulous sofas for reasonable prices at nice consignment shops. You might think about that possibility.
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It looks like the cushion fabric is tacked to the frame where the bottom of the fabric meets the wood. So I would start by removing that trim at the bottom of the cushion. Then you can see how they did it originally. My guess is that once you remove the trim at the bottom, you will see tacks which you can remove. Then the fabric will probably lift off the cushion. You could use that as a pattern as was mentioned. Or maybe you could try wrapping the fabric rather than doing the boxed style cushion. Sometimes it's a nicer look and easier. So what I mean is that there would not be the piping at the top of the seat, and there would not be a separate piece of fabric along the edges. Instead, try wrapping the fabric down the edges and see if you think you could make nice corners where the seat "T" is. The fabric would be stapled to the frame and then covered with trim however you found it when you pull that bottom trim off. You can find some nice trims to glue on (cover the tacks) at the fabric store.
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Comments (26)
KitchenDetective, I have thought about doing the back and sides in a coordinating fabric. Thanks for the link. Thanks Dee, that is such a wonderful gift for your sons! Interesting about the value-- I have another 20's sofa and chair I recently inherited, also horsehair stuffed. I'd like to get that set slipcovered after I get this project done. Laurie, I am liking the paisley more and more. I haven't taken the chairs in yet. I spoke to the upholsterer by phone and sent her several pictures of the chairs, including shots of the interior materials. The Wild Chairy site was fun, thanks! I'm boring. The paisley, with possibly another coordinating color, is a walk on the wild side for me :-)
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emagineer
13 years ago
What does that poorly constructed link have to do with this post?
powermuffin
13 years ago
I have Simply Upholstery and another book, which i cannot remember the name of. I thought it was very helpful. I would check out the section in your library that talks about padding; you should be able to find one that gives you what you need for this part.

Does your sofa have the piping like the picture posted? Piping will be the only hard thing and it just makes that sofa so I would not skip it. The best piece of advice I can give you is to use taught, no-stretch fabic.
Diane

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