Upholstering is a skilled profession but some of the simpler aspects can be done by an amateur with experience in using a sewing machine, and in accurate measuring and cutting out. If you’ve never done this before, take your time measuring, and always measure twice! Check before you cut. The sewing is fairly straightforward and you’ll mostly only need straight stitch.
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Loose covers – these can be removed from the furniture, for washing, and so require zips, or some way of removing them. They are convenient, as they can be changed to ring the changes in your décor, and can be washed. But they are more complex, due to the zips. The simplest sort to make are the type that drop over the whole chair/sofa from the top, but these don’t fit round some curves, especially if the chair/sofa curves in at the back which is quite common. You can get round this by stitching tying tapes at the corner seams, and tie the cover on more snugly.
Permanent – these are attached permanently to the furniture, usually with upholstery pins which are round-headed short nails, often with a brass head, which tack the fabric to the wooden parts of the furniture.
Taking careful measurements is critical. Take a long look at the item of furniture, and look at its existing upholstery, to see where the seams lie. Try to find where the wooden frame of the item lies beneath the soft parts so you have an idea of its ‘skeleton’. This will help you visualise how the upholstery works. For example, the back and arms of a sofa will be built on a wooden frame, and the foam used to cover it will be very firm. The fabric needs to be stretched tight over these areas or it will bag or crease with use. Seat cushions obviously have no wood, but the foam should be very firm, so the covers must fit perfectly.
You need to think in 3-D. Draw the pattern carefully, and note any curves, which need to be measured carefully. You can make a pattern using newspaper simply held against the item of furniture and marking the existing seams on it. It’s a good idea, if you’ve never done this before, to make up a version using cheap fabric such as muslin which you can then try on the furniture to check for fit. This gives you the chance to correct any slight errors before you cut your intended fabric.
At every stage, check your measurements again!
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Most upholstery fabric is heavy weight. This is partly because it has to last and cope with heavy wear, but also because it is likely to be under tension when on the furniture. Consequently, upholstery fabric tends to be expensive, so choose carefully. If you’re using a patterned fabric, bear in mind how it will sit on the furniture, especially if it’s a big repeat pattern. Ideally, the main feature of the pattern should lie centrally on each cushion or arm of the furniture, so you need to calculate how much more you will need. The staff in a good store will help you if you take your measurements with you.
You also need to bear the nap or lie of the fabric in mind, especially as velvet-type fabric is popular for upholstery. Make sure the fabric is the same colour from all angles. If it does have nap, remember to cut from the same angle for all pieces, and buy extra – again ask the staff to help you.
Check your measurements again as mistakes will be expensive! Cut with good quality dressmaking shears. Label the back of the pieces with tailor’s chalk so you know which is which. You’ll need a large area to cut on – a hard floor is good. Iron out any creases in the fabric before you cut.
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For the most part, you’ll only need straight stitch for sewing upholstery but remember the weight of the fabric. You’ll need a suitable needle, and heavy thread, and if you haven’t used these before, check the tension regularly as it will be different to what you’re used to. Remember to clip curves and corners to get a smooth fit and you may want to weight any hems that reach the floor if you’re making loose covers. Your hems will need to be quite deep to accommodate weights. A few hand stitches should keep the weights in place.
Iron all seams as you complete them.
If you’re making loose seat cushion covers, you’ll need to fit zips. As you’re making a box shape, you need to fit the zip first, or early in the process, and remember to use the zipper foot for a close finish.
If you’ve make loose covers, try them on! Simple covers for a sofa can simply drop over the sofa, and the cushions put on afterwards. If you’ve got awkward curves to deal with, you can add tapes to tie the cover on more closely and these can look quite decorative.
If your covers are going to stay on permanently, you can turn raw edges in and tack the fabric to the wood using upholstery tacks. Tack them close together for extra strength. You may need to do some hand sewing too, and remember to use strong thread for this.
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