Laying Upholstery Over Curved Shapes

Drape the fabric over the furniture, covering its straight and curved edges. Pull the fabric taut along its long or straight edges and staple it to the underside of the furniture. Do not staple the fabric along the curved edges, but leave these undone for now.

Grasp the fabric that sticks out along one corner or edge of the rounded section. Fold the fabric into a series of identical 1/2-inch-wide pleats using your fingers, until you reach the middle of the curved section. Grasp the pleats firmly to keep them from coming loose.

Extend the pleated fabric over to the underside of the furniture, where you will insert the staples, to keep the fabric from appearing bunched when viewed from the top. You want a smooth transition from the straight edge of the furniture to the curved edge.

Secure the edge of the pleated fabric to the underside of the furniture with three staples.

Grasp the fabric along the other corner of the rounded or curved edged. Form a series of identical pleats until you reach the pleated half you stapled earlier. Extend the pleated fabric to the underside of the furniture and secure it with staples. Repeat this process to cover any remaining curved edges.

Examine the upholstered curved edge of the furniture from the top for a tiny "lip" or fold that forms where staples are inserted. Extend this fabric taut to the underside of the furniture and fold it into tiny pleats until it is smooth when viewed from the top. Staple this section to prevent the fold from forming near the top.

Trim loose threads and extra upholstery fabric from the underside of the sofa with sharp scissors.