How to Stitch Ripped Sofas

Measure the length and width of the damaged area.

Cut a rectangle of fabric 2 inches longer and wider than the rip.

Clip the corners of the rectangle by cutting them at a 45-degree angle, 3/8 inch from the point.

Lay the fabric, wrong side up, on the ironing board and iron in 1/2 inch on all four sides. This is your patch.

Place the patch, right side up, over the damaged upholstery and pin it in place.

Thread a small upholstery needle with 36 inches of upholstery thread and knot the ends together. An upholstery needle is a curved needle that allows you to sew when you can only access one side of the fabric. They are available in sets of household needles at discount and fabric stores.

Bring the needle up through a corner of the patch first, so the knot will be hidden under the patch. Bring it up 1/4 inch from both sides of the corner. Make your first stitch 1/2 inch away from this point.

Sew a seam completely around the edge of the patch, 1/4 inch in from the sides. Poke your needle in with the concave side pointing in the direction you want to sew. The needle will curve under the fabric. Bring it out at a point further along the seam. The size of the needle will determine the distance away. Make a backstitch by making the next stitch 1/4 inch behind the first stitch. It is quicker to sew a backstitch because the stitches made with a curved needle are farther apart than the stitches made with a straight needle.

Keep stitching in this way. If your needle is large, you may have to sew around the patch several times. Sew until the stitches are 1/4 inch or less apart. Knot your thread and cut off the excess. Remove the pins.