How to Upholster the Back of a Couch

If you have an old couch that still has a good frame, but the fabric is a little less than perfect, consider reupholstering it to give it a makeover. Upholstering a couch can save you a ton of money over buying a whole new piece of furniture. When you start reupholstering a couch you want to start with the back of it, which is in fact, the least complicated portion to upholster. To start on the back part of the couch you will still have to cut a piece of fabric for the front to secure them together.

Measuring tape
Upholstery fabric
Scissors
Pins
Chalk
Staple gun with staples

Instructions

- 1
  Measure both the front and the back of the couch since you will need to cut out two pieces of fabric. Measure the length and the width of both. Add 5 inches all the way around on the back and 10 inches to the front piece.
- 2
  Cut out your two pieces of fabric.
- 3
  Lay the front piece of fabric, right side down on the front of the couch. Drape the back piece of fabric over the back.
- 4
  Attach the two pieces of fabric together temporarily using pins. Pin the fabric together at the top of the couch, following the flow of the frame. Pin the fabric so that you have a 1-inch seam allowance.
- 5
  Draw a line on the fabric following the lines of the top of the couch to give you a guide for sewing.
- 6
  Remove the fabric from the couch carefully so as not to remove the pins. Sew along the chalk line, removing the pins as you sew.
- 7
  Turn the fabric right side out and drape it back over the couch. Pull the fabric tightly so that the seam is in the correct position across the top of the couch.
- 8
  Pull the fabric down at the back of the couch and staple it to the underside of the couch to hold it in place.

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