DIY Decorating: A Guide to Reupholstering

Furniture reupholstering is an alternative to getting rid of furniture that’s worn out, ripped or shabby. With a little instruction and sewing know-how, you can save your furniture or make it look as if you purchased a new set of furniture altogether. If the furniture you bought to begin with was used and not worth much, then reupholstering is a waste of time. However, if it was expensive and you won’t get anywhere near the original price you paid, then reupholstering it is a good option.

Tools and Materials Needed:

There are basic supplies you’ll need to successfully complete most reupholstering projects. These include:

• Fabric (upholstery weight that won’t easily rip, and your old fabric should give you some ideas)
• Staple gun
• Scissors
• Sewing machine (although you could choose to hand sew instead)

You can buy a special tool kit for reupholstering, or assemble miscellaneous items yourself. As you work on more projects, you’ll soon want to add other supplies that would make each project easier. For example, a tack hammer, fabric stretcher, dies and buttons will be good to have if you plan to do a lot of reupholstering.

Fabric

Fabric for reupholstering is expensive compared to regular fabric. They can cost in the $30 to $40 range per yard; a 54 inch material works for many home projects. This is why it’s important to weigh the cost of reupholstering versus the cost of replacing the furniture, and compare this to the original purchase price. If the damage to the original upholstering was due to stains and other water damage, then buy fabric that is waterproof. You may have to pay more, but if you don’t buy it, you may have to reupholster it all over again.

Pattern and Patternless

If this is your first shot at reupholstering, you may want to buy a pattern. Like sewing clothes, the pieces and measurements are laid out for you. Simply follow the directions and you’ll be able to reupholster your furniture. The store where you made the purchase may offer a video for free or for purchase if you prefer visual instructions. You can also check www.youtube.com for videos posted on the pattern by other customers.

Reupholstering without a pattern is a good idea if you’re an experienced sewer or upholsterer. Draw your own fabric layouts with the parts of the furniture you need to reupholster. Take the measurements that you need for each piece, mark it on your layout and total the amount you need to cut out. This will help you to buy enough fabric up front, which is necessary if you plan to buy your fabric from an online store. Even if you buy fabric locally, you’ll save yourself a trip and gas money by taking accurate measurements. Use your old fabric as a guide to how much you need, and add an additional yard.

When you want to try your hand at reupholstering, start with small and easy projects first, like a foot stool. Once you gain confidence, you can work your way up to larger projects, such as a couch.