I have a couch and a chair that are in good shape structurally but look pretty bad. A cousin bought upholstry material for hers and didn't like it when she put it on her carpet. She sold it to me for zucchini and tomatoes for the summer. Does anyone know of a book or have easy directions for recovering furniture? I dont have to do anything fancy, just make it work OK. Thanks, Joanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), July 18, 2001

Answers

I think I used a Sunset book as a reference when I reupholstered our sofa. I took the old fabric pieces off and used them as my pattern. Keep notes of how the pieces came off so that you'll be able to put them back on the same way and hide the staples. Do you have some sewing experience? You will probably need to sew bias strips together to cover the welting on the cushions and to put the zippers on the cushions. The most difficult part for me was the stapling. Make it easy on yourself and buy an electric staple gun. I'm not sure that I would tackle that big a project again but I might do an easy chair. Good luck! Let me know if I can be of anymore help.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), July 18, 2001.

I use end rolls of news paper lay it on, let's say, the arm of the chair ( using stick pins to hold the paper in place) and with a pencil draw the edges of each pc. of the chair. Be sure that you label each pc. (re: front of back--back of back-- side arm) Then add a large seam allowance (I use 3/4"). Now pin all the main pcs. together and lay on the chair. You'll be able to tell if the pc will fit or if you need to use a larger or smaller seam allowance. It's easy and quick. Good luck.

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), July 18, 2001.

Doesn't have to be an ELECTRIC staple gun. But a staple gun nevertheless - my (80 years old in August) Mum did an upholstering course at the local TAFE (Technical and Further Education) College, she's re-upholstered quite a few things since, and at the moment I have cutouts for my chairs, plus the loan of her manual stapler.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), July 19, 2001.

I have re-upholstered many chairs. My original elec. staple gun was great but the last couple we've had are not good. I have went to using little tacks and a small tack hammer and it's really not any harder this way. I always use the old for pattern and make notes esp. the order of how the pieces go on. Good Luck! DW

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), July 19, 2001.

http://www.upholster.com/howto/

check out this sight I hope that it helps you and keep clicking unto the areas that will help you out. Jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), July 20, 2001.