About Reupholstering a Couch

Cost

• Generally, reupholstering a couch costs less than buying a new sofa. However, the cost will depend largely on the style of fabric you choose. Thick upholstery fabric can be expensive when purchased by the yard, especially if the fabric is a higher quality fabric, such as leather or silk. Along with the fabric for reupholstery, factor in costs associated with tools and supplies needed to complete the project.

Tools

• Several tools are involved in reupholstering a couch. Along with basic craft supplies, such as scissors and rulers or measuring tape, you will also need a manual or automatic staple gun, hammer and pliers. For curved areas and seams you want to hide, a hot glue gun or jaw strip will be necessary. Some sewing is also often required, meaning you will need a sewing machine and needle and thread.

Materials

• Materials necessary for this project are upholstery fabric, muslin cloth, cotton batting, upholstery foam, spray adhesive and staples. If your sofa needs repairs to the actual frame, you will also need sandpaper and wood glue to repair any cracks or broken pieces. If the springs are loose, they will need to be replaced or tightened with jute twine.

Procedure

• To reupholster a sofa, assess the damage. Repair any damaged springs, broken frame pieces or paint as needed. If the fabric can be salvaged, gently remove the staples holding it in place or cut away with a razor blade. Preserve the fabric for use in creating a new pattern. If the fabric cannot be salvaged, trace out a pattern by laying a piece of muslin cloth over the couch and drawing out your shape. Cut along your traced lines and trace onto the upholstery fabric. Cut out your pieces and attach directly to the sofa's frame with a staple gun.

Time and Required Skills

• Depending on the size of your sofa, it can take several hours to complete this task. Time is added if the couch features curved lines, detail work, hidden seams or if the fabric is difficult to work with.

  Reupholstering a couch is recommended for moderate to experienced crafters. If you have experience upholstering other pieces of furniture, such as benches, chairs or ottomans, this will come in handy for a project of this size. It is not impossible for novice upholsterers to tackle re-covering a couch, but patience and some basic sewing skills are recommended.