Very icky couch and recliner needs update

[kellyw54]

I have a 10 year old hand me down couch from my parents and a recliner about the same age that really need some updating, but I have no clue out to reupholster does anyone know where I can find a good tutorial.  Or a book thats not going to cost me an arm and a leg thanks

[elvissatx]

I just finished reupholstering a chair a few weeks ago (see pix at http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=132299.0).  It was my first reupholstery, and I did it without any instructions or tutorials except the chair itself and an article I found online from a 1970s issue of Mother Earth News (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=132299.0)  It was surprisingly easy and lots of fun.

Don't be afraid to dive right in.  If you have a digital camera, you might take pictures at each step of the dismantling.  I did, and while I ended up not needing them, it gave me a lot more confidence knowing that I had a good visual reference.  I also took tons of notes as I took the thing apart.  After that, it was just reversing the process with the new fabric.

Good luck!  Let me know if I can help.

(p.s.  if you decide you want a book, pop by your public library.  they'll be sure to have something to get you started.)

[Gwydion]

I personally think it's easiest to carefully remove the existing upholstery (taking plenty of notes) and to use that as a pattern for the new fabric.  This way you KNOW it will fit, as long as you don't change the underlying contours.  Also gives you a chance to see if the foam/batting etc. need to be replaced.

If you don't want to remove the existing fabric, you can make a pattern by laying large sheets of paper over the couch and painstakingly taping and snipping to get the right contours.  (My 1950's housewife's manual recommends this.)  If you do it this way, remember that there is usually a lot of fabric you don't see-- there's usually a 6-8 inch overhang all the way around the seat, so that the fabric of the arms and back can be tucked firmly in place and won't creep up.  You will need to make a muslin.

If you want something that's more fitted or more drapey than the original, or if you want to significantly change the contours of the furniture, it gets tweakier.  You can still use the existing fabric and/or paper pattern for a guesstimate, but you really MUST make a muslin first. 

Minimum items needed:  Lots of fabric (get at least 2 yards more than you think you need, particularly if you're matching or centering patterns).  Staple gun with 1/2 or 3/4 inch staples.  Upholstery needles (you can get them in the notions section of most fabric/craft stores) and heavy thread.  Hammer.  Needlenose pliers.  Lots of pins.  Sewing machine and size 16 or denim-weight needles. Supportive SO/parent/friend to let you sniffle when you DON'T think it will EVER go back together, and who will celebrate with you when it miraculously DOES go back together and looks great. 

[kellyw54]

lol thanks my mom's going to help me so I think we'll both need support when we are done

[kellyw54]

Oh and elvissatx  I actually checked yours out yesterday, it looked so good.  Hopefully I can do half that good on my first try

[elvissatx]

You and your mom will do a great job with the project.  If you get stuck, just holler and I'll try to help out.  Good luck!

And thanks for the compliment.  It's much appreciated!

[lanfear32]

Elvisstax--OMG!  That chair you did is amazing!  I have been wanting to take a stab at apholstering something, and maybe now I will...  Also--Mother Earth News Rocks!!!   

Good luck to you Kelly!  You should maybe check out that article that Elvisstax used from Mother Earth News.  Thier past issues are all archived online and completely searchable. 

[kellyw54]

Actually i was talking about w/ a lady @ my work and she has a ton of their old issues shes going to let me borrow

[hlvw]

I agree with some of the other posters. I had never upholstered anything before, but decided to take a stab at it on a wingback chair with piping. It turned out pretty well just from dismantling the old fabric and taking notes for what you do to complete the reverse. Also, I found this yardage chart to use as a reference for figuring out how much fabric you'll need.

http://www.discountfabric.com/Yardage.asp

I think generally, they're overestimates, but having more is better than not enough. With the leftovers, you could make pillows or arm guards or something.

[kellyw54]

I'm going to start little first, my daughter has the little overstuffed chair that I've started to take apart, it looks pretty simple, kinda like putting together a fabric puzzle  .