The Sewing Place

The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: Missie on April 08, 2017, 16:52:08 PM

Title: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Missie on April 08, 2017, 16:52:08 PM
I have a leather sofa that has seen better days.  The sofa covers are falling apart, literally.  There are holes in the leather, the seams are ripping.  I can't afford a new sofa and as the frame itself is good (and I still like the sofa), I want to recover it.  The trouble is, the cushions are fixed to the frame so I don't even know how to go about doing this.  Can anyone recommend a good book, or website to enable me to do this........and I have to do this as my in-laws have offered me their sofa as mine is "falling apart".

Thanks.
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: BrendaP on April 09, 2017, 21:59:54 PM
It's a long time since I did any proper upholstery and it's not a quick-fix.

Essentially you have to strip the old one down, save all the fabric/leather pieces to use as patterns, replace any done-for stuffing/filling and then put it all together again.

Cushions can be fixed to a frame in several ways:
tacks (large headed nails)
fabric ties which are hidden away
stitched to a fabric/leather liner
attached to liner with zips.

The only way of really finding out how it was put together is to take it apart.  The limited knowledge I have was gained from Adult Education classes when DD1 was a toddler (she'll be 45 tomorrow!)

Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Vegegrow on April 09, 2017, 22:11:16 PM
As Brenda says not a simple job ... I did 2 several years ago .. no classes ..I just undid took pics of fiddly bits and used the old cover. Fabric.. to use as a pattern for the new ones... it worked really well
have a google and YouTube mending old leather sofa's and recovering old sofas to give you an idea
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: la scozzese on April 12, 2017, 18:23:18 PM
I did an armless chair once and it was fixed to the structure, I opened it up from the back first and that way I managed to cover the seat without taking the original fabric off because it passed through the back, if you see what I mean. Now obviously I don't know if that's what your sofa is like but if you are going to have to take it all apart maybe it would be worthwhile starting from the back on the off chance
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Vegegrow on April 12, 2017, 20:16:47 PM
Oh and I wouldn't put fabric over the leather .. it'll slide around when you sit on it
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Lowena on April 13, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
Not to mention the possibility of "breaking wind" noises from the hidden interior....try explaining that away  :D
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: JeanHT on April 25, 2017, 05:39:16 AM
When you say the cushions are fixed to the frame are you sure this is not the interior upholstery?  Can you post a photo?

Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Missie on April 25, 2017, 18:31:18 PM
No unfortunately I can't, sorry.  The back cushions are zipped onto the back (no problem with them) but the seat cushions are non-removable (which I absolutely detest as there is no easy means of cleaning between them and it all gets pretty yucky!)  Any picture I take will just look like seat cushions on a sofa!
Title: Re: Sofa re-upholster
Post by: Catllar on April 26, 2017, 13:13:12 PM
Blimey, sounds like a challenging project! Best of luck whatever you decide to do! :flower: