How to update old upholstery on upholstered furniture with your own hands. Self-upholstery of upholstered furniture How to cover a sofa with fabric yourself

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Significant wear and tear on the fabric cover of the sofa requires furniture repair and replacement of old upholstery. Self-hauling does not require special skills and can be completed in just 1 day. When working, you need to take into account the accuracy of removing the old fabric and the correctness of tailoring the new upholstery. If not only the fabric is worn out, but also the filler, then it must be replaced immediately.

Features of the sofa upholstery

First of all, the owners will need to remove the existing upholstery. You need to perform the procedure very carefully: otherwise the fabric will tear and it will not work to recreate the correct covers for individual parts. Do-it-yourself sofa hauling begins with a gradual opening of the seams on all the details of the sofa. For example, removable cushions are processed separately, and whole pieces from the frame itself are removed together without tearing.

In addition, self-upholstery of the sofa may include the replacement of the filler. Worn synthetic winterizer or foam rubber should be carefully separated from the frame, trying not to scatter the damaged material. Its preparation will be carried out according to the measurements of the sofa. It is necessary to determine the dimensions of the required filler and its thickness.

How to make a new upholstery?

After removing the old fabric, you need to take its measurements and determine the required length and width of the new fabric. Special attention should be given to whole areas. For example, those canvases that cover the back. Next, the upholstery of the sofa is reupholstered only after the preparation of the material. For a quality renovation of furniture, it is recommended to purchase dense fabrics: tapestry, jacquard, chenille. They have protruding patterns, so they make it easy to emphasize the new style of the product.

Exists special kind- Thermal jacquard with increased strength and wear resistance. This material is optimal for sofa upholstery in the living room or on covered veranda, terrace. After preparing the fabric, work is carried out according to the following instructions:

  1. The old upholstery is laid out on top of the paper (you can use large pieces of old wallpaper, posters), outlined.
  2. Blanks are cut out of paper for new upholstery.
  3. New parts are cut out from the purchased fabric.
  4. Back covers are being prepared back wall sofas, armrests.
  5. Fabric elements are sewn together and put on the sofa (when replacing the filler, you must immediately attach it with a construction stapler to a wooden frame).
  6. The covers worn on the sofa are sewn together, forming a new upholstery.

The given step-by-step instructions exclude additional steps - updating sofa cushions. Usually such work takes a minimum of time and is carried out last. Ready-made pillows are stacked on an updated frame.

Features of the constriction

To understand how to drag the sofa correctly and eliminate incorrect tailoring of parts, you need to supplement the study of a step-by-step master class. Accurate instructions will help you quickly and accurately perform hauling, prevent poor-quality removal of materials or joining parts. Additionally, before starting work, you should view the training photos and video tutorials: they will be no less useful in your work. Owners should also consider the following rules.

Every home has a favorite sofa where everyone gathers. big family, receive guests or just relax with a book over a cup of coffee or tea. This important upholstered furniture in the apartment eventually becomes unusable, but often the owners do not want to part with it. In this case, it is worth resorting to such a procedure as hauling furniture upholstery with your own hands - this is a simple and quick process. The sofa will gain a second life, will delight with its updated look and individual decor.

Advantages of upholstering a sofa with your own hands

The high-quality and durable basis of the sofa acts as a help in the sheathing process - old Soviet or imported furniture is considered much better than the one that is currently being produced. The material can be chosen according to your taste - the decor in any case will be individual.

When starting to replace the skin at home, repair the frame or spring block sofa. By doing this work yourself, you save a significant amount. Money because buying new furniture will cost more.

Design Choice

The decor of the sofa when sheathing will always be individual and depends only on the owner’s imagination, you can sew a new cover, make bright pillows-dumbass or a cape with a plaid original form, colors and designs. The furniture will sparkle with new colors and give the interior an exclusivity.

IMPORTANT! The upholstery may be partial, for example, it will be necessary to replace only some parts of the sofa with more colorful elements.

The currently popular patchwork technique from different pieces of fabric looks very nice. An application on any subject will also look unusual - it is glued to the upholstery.

You can drag furniture with artificial leather or fashionable denim. Often choose leatherette, velor, faux fur on a solid basis, jacquard, tapestry. If you need removable covers, then they are easy to sew from clothing fabrics.

Necessary materials and tools

Before starting the sheathing, a fabric is chosen: colors, with or without a print, artificial or natural material. There are enough furniture fabrics in stores, there is plenty to choose from.

Some tips for choosing fabric for upholstery:

  • it is undesirable to buy artificial, coarse and synthetic matter;
  • do not purchase crumpled-looking material;
  • to reduce cash costs, you can prefer a canvas with a small print or plain material, since it is easier to cut;
  • to give softness to the upholstery and increase the comfort of the subsequent operation of the sofa, you can use foam or synthetic winterizer.

IMPORTANT! The smell of upholstery should not be unpleasant.

Necessary materials and tools for work:

  • the cloth;
  • foam rubber;
  • edges for closing seams;
  • synthetic winterizer;
  • zipper;
  • needles, sewing machine, threads;
  • hammer, screwdriver, anti-stapler, stapler, staples and scissors;
  • sewing chalk, glue.

How to sheathe a sofa step-by-step instruction

Beginners in this business often make mistakes that are worth wasted money and time. The main problem is the incorrectly calculated amount of upholstery fabric. It's annoying when expensive fabric is bought, but it is not enough and there is no more such fabric in the store. Therefore, we must take seriously the calculations for the upholstery fabric and take it with a small margin, let there be an extra piece, but the sofa will be pulled over without problems and you can make a chair cover or just sew something from the remaining fabric. To determine the amount of material needed, add the length and width of the furniture and multiply the resulting amount by 2. It is more difficult to determine the amount of fabric for sheathing at corner sofas, since their shape is non-standard.

For a trouble-free waist, you need to purchase a high-quality stapler and strong staples, this option is better than driving nails into new upholstery and it will look neater.

Synthetics are not recommended for upholstery. If you purchased a striped canvas or large drawing, then it must be cut in the same direction, so the cost of fabric increases. Always allow for additional seam allowances. The ideal option is to purchase fabric with a large margin of about one meter. If the filler of the sofa also changes, then a synthetic winterizer or foam rubber is chosen for stuffing. Get foam rubber 25 mm thick and lay felt between the layers. There are parts in furniture that need to be tightly stuffed with foam rubber and this can cause difficulties in work. In this case, the foam rubber is wrapped in a synthetic winterizer, attached to the sofa and wrapped with upholstery.

IMPORTANT! The foam should be porous and good quality otherwise, during operation, it will quickly settle and lose its properties.

The procedure for sheathing a sofa is simple, if you follow some tips:

  1. Before starting the sheathing, the furniture is disassembled, the details are marked, so that later everything can be put back together correctly.
  2. First, the sides and back of the furniture are removed, the staples are disconnected with an anti-stapler.
  3. The old upholstery is removed, as this is the future stencil for the new one.
  4. Replace foam rubber, springs or other parts to be updated.
  5. On the removed upholstery, draw a stencil with chalk on a new fabric with a margin of 5 centimeters and cut out all the details.
  6. Details are sewn on a sewing machine.
  7. They stretch the new canvas on the sofa and fix it with staples, in some places the fabric is put on glue for strength.

After all the work with the stuffing and upholstery of the sofa, they begin to decorate it. To the updated furniture add bright pillows with prints or removable covers of various colors. Now you can make these attributes with your own hands or just go to the store and buy what you like. Moreover, the choice in our time is huge: there are water-repellent covers, with protective coating from pets, and indeed there are many options and models. If you don’t feel like decorating yourself or don’t have the necessary skills, then you just need to cover the sofa with a beautiful blanket.

IMPORTANT! It is quite difficult and time-consuming to pull pillows on your own, it is easier to contact a specialized workshop - this way you can save time and money.

Sofa upholstery is a rather fascinating and interesting process, during which you can realize your imagination and transform the interior. If you do everything according to the rules, then the house will appear original furniture, which will last a few more years and will delight the household with its appearance.

Good changes are loved, if not by all, then most for sure. The old, but such a familiar and beloved sofa was worn out to the end, and on new money no, or are you just so close to him that it's a pity to throw it away? Update it, put on it a beautiful, in harmony with the interior of the room, upholstery and it will change, and you will not have to be upset, looking at it every time. old junk. How to fit a sofa with your own hands and at the same time repair it will be discussed below.

Tool

In order not to be distracted by searches during such an exciting process as covering a sofa, pre-assemble the tool that is in the house, and if not everything, then purchase the missing one. Here's what you need to stock up on:

  • a set of screwdrivers;
  • hammer;
  • scissors;
  • stapler with staples. The most suitable 8 or 10 mm;
  • pliers;
  • different wrenches;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • screwdriver;
  • glue - PVA is best.

sofa upholstery material

decorative material

Upholstery fabric must meet the basic requirements:

  • be strong;
  • retain its original appearance when in contact with the external environment;
  • easy to clean.

Most often used:

  • tapestry - a dense, noble fabric, has a dust-repellent property. Suitable for retro design;
  • jacquard - very aesthetic, with a double-sided pattern, artificial silk. Looks solid, cleans well;
  • flock - the basis is natural or artificial: cotton, polyester, respectively. Velvety, voluminous, pleasant to the touch. The main advantage is that the cat can scratch as much as it likes, no traces will be visible. It tolerates cleaning well, both dry and wet;
  • velor - durable material, low pile, does not wrinkle;

  • Shinil - resembles velor, but of better quality. The material is semi-synthetic or natural, fleecy, durable, breathable;

  • non-woven and woven artificial suede - the material is environmentally friendly, strong. At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish from natural suede. Cleans well, can even be washed with warm water;
  • leather - natural or artificial. The material is practical and durable.

What else?

In addition to decorative, you will also need another consumable. So take care and get:

  • furniture tape;
  • foam rubber;
  • braid;
  • include edging here.

How to upholster an old sofa?

To determine how much it costs to cover a sofa, first disassemble it and determine which elements need to be changed. For clarity, consider a specific sofa with a telescopic mechanism.

Sofa components

The sofa consists of the following parts:

  • backs;
  • seats;
  • armrests;
  • lower part - kings;
  • back locks.

Disassembly

  • We unscrew the bolts that hold the armrests on the base;
  • remove the seats;
  • disconnect the king;
  • we lay out the sofa and turn it over with the front part to the floor;
  • remove the back
  • remove locks;
  • dismantle the seats;
  • remove old fasteners: nails, staples;
  • remove the old upholstery;
  • we take out everything that filled the sofa;
  • if the springs are intact, then we leave it as it is, and if there are faulty ones, then we take out the block.

Note: Do not throw away the removed upholstery. When you sew new covers, the old ones will serve as patterns for your pattern.

Repairing internal parts

First, we repair the spring blocks located in the armrests and backrest:

  • unscrew the faulty springs with pliers;
  • install in the block, if necessary, new springs;
  • fix the blocks with nails on the frame.

Since the springs that we did not replace still have wear, especially on the seat, we make them more elastic:

  • cut into small pieces of foam rubber;
  • we tightly stuff the spring block with pieces of foam rubber;
  • well, if there is an old blanket - they can cover the spring block from above, if not, then we select some other similar material. You can use burlap for this purpose;
  • we nail a layer of material with nails to the frame;
  • we sew the springs to the covering material using a thick needle and twine;
  • depressions may form between the springs. We add stuffing to them: either foam rubber, or cotton wool;
  • we cover everything with calico or calico with binding material, pulling it tightly and fixing it with nails;
  • we spread foam rubber sheets on one side with glue;
  • with the smeared side we lay them on top of the material. It will stick and lie flat.

On a note: if sagging springs come across, then it is not necessary to throw them away, instead this, stretch them. They will continue to serve. To make the sofa look more voluminous, you can lay a sindepon on top of the foam rubber.

All the work that needed to be done before wrapping old sofa, behind. Now the fun part:

We sew covers

  • lay out on a large table or on the floor the fabric that was chosen for upholstery, on top of the pattern. They left the old covers - remember?
  • we circle the samples with chalk;
  • cut out, leaving allowances;
  • we cut on a typewriter.

Dressing up the sofa

  • We put covers on the armrests, back, seat;
  • the places where new clothes will be attached should remain in the same place where the old covers were fixed;
  • we fix the covers with a stapler, while we stretch the fabric every time we drive in another fastener.

This will help you: so that the upholstery lies flat, start working on a long side And move to short.

Assembly

Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly:

  • we strictly monitor the coincidence of labels;
  • we fasten the lock to the back, then to the seat and to the side;
  • we mount the sidewalls;
  • we attach armrests to the sidewalls;
  • we fix wooden panels, pre-lacquering them, if required.

As you can see, anyone who really wants to can upholster a sofa, because nothing is impossible for an addicted person.

How to fit a sofa book

Many homes still have book sofas or, as they are also called, sofa beds. The design of this old-timer sofa is simple:

  • seat;
  • back;
  • sidewalls.

The main thing, how it differs from other sofas, is that the back and seat are covered with one common cover, which simply bends when folding and unfolding. Just the inflection is weak point in its design: there the cover is most often torn. If you have this legacy of the Soviet era in your apartment and have already decided to get rid of it, do not rush: repair it, cover it with budget material and take it to the dacha, there it will be like a godsend.

We dismantle and repair

The work will consist of the following operations:

  • remove the side walls;
  • we disconnect the mechanism by which the sofa folds and unfolds;
  • remove the bed from the pallet and turn it over;
  • we disconnect the back and seat;
  • we study the condition of the removed mechanisms. If damaged, you will have to change;
  • remove the cover;
  • We take out the springs, most likely they are already quite worn out. What to do with them, you know, since we talked about this above;
  • with everything else we do the same as in the case of a sofa equipped with a telescopic mechanism.

And is it important: since the sofa has two mechanisms, try not to confuse them: the right install on the right side, and the left one on the left, otherwise you will not be able to fold the finished sofa.

How to upholster a sofa in leather

Sofa with leather upholstery looks respectable. If you cover a sofa with this natural material without even a little experience, then you can fail. First, study the issue thoroughly. How to cover a sofa with leather, the photos available on the Internet will certainly help you somehow navigate in terms of choosing a material, but it’s better if you see the whole process. On the topic of how to fit a sofa, the video will allow you to get acquainted with all the problems that arise along the way, small nuances.

Got some theoretical experience? Then let's get started. The process will consist of several stages.

Sequence of work

  1. Parsing:
  • first dismantle the armrests;
  • detach the back and seat;
  • very carefully remove the old covers;
  • check what is being done inside;
  • we change what has fallen into disrepair.

2. We will not use the old upholstery as a template. Great accuracy is needed here, because in order to cover the sofa with such material, you will have to pay a decent price, so we make patterns. Along with the details exterior finish, we also cut out the lining, and for this you will need a special adhesive material.

3. Having checked everything again, we cut it.

4. Can be stitched, while:

  • we exclude the sweeping operation - the needle will leave holes;
  • we fix the upholstery elements from the inside with adhesive tape;
  • paw sewing machine, moving through the material, can cause its deformation. To prevent this from happening, lubricate the skin with petroleum jelly, it will slide easily without lingering under the foot.

5. The allowances that we left for the seams when cutting out, after the parts are sewn, will fold together and will bulge out from the front side with a tubercle. To make the surface smooth, we separate the allowances and iron them with a slightly warm iron through gauze soaked in water and wrung out.

6. Glue the allowances from the wrong side;

7. We impose a self-adhesive lining;

8. It is better to strengthen the seams using braid.

Padding

  • We put on covers very carefully, smoothing them along the way;
  • we attach the covers to the details of the sofa with a construction stapler;
  • assembling the sofa.

A little about the skin as a material for covering

If you cover the sofa with leather yourself, its cost will, of course, be lower than if you bought a new one. But, the skin must be of really high quality, then it will fully justify the price paid for it. Skin has obvious benefits:

  • easy to clean;
  • it is hygienic;
  • abrasion resistant;
  • elastic;
  • frost-resistant;
  • soft and pleasant.

The excellent leather of the Pelle Nobile group for furniture is produced in Italy. Here there are samples and very expensive and with an average price. The peculiarity of Pelle Nobile leather is naturalness. Processing is subject to a minimum chemical substances, the natural upper layer with its own pattern.

In Russia, they also produce high-quality furniture leather - this is Dizzaro. The manufacturer is a tannery in Ryazan. The quality of the skin provides:

  • verified source material;
  • the use of only high-quality chemistry;
  • the latest equipment;
  • control at all stages;
  • international certificate.

Naturally, the skin Russian manufacturer cheaper than from Italian.

Choosing foam rubber

When buying such a filler for a sofa as foam rubber, or rather polyurethane foam, you need to pay attention to its following characteristics:

  • density. For parts with different loads, foam rubber is selected with an unequal density: for a seat with a larger one, and for the armrests and backrest a little less:
  1. The seat is most loaded, so you need to take PPU with a density of 30 kg per 1 cubic m - brand EL3040, or even higher - EL4050, only then cover it with super-soft polyurethane foam brand HS;
  2. On the armrests and backrest, a density of 25 kg / m3 is suitable.
  • Softness;
  • elasticity.

High-quality, safe PPU that meets all standards, produces Russian company Muromporolon. Its advantages include:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • hypoallergenicity;
  • democratic value.

Over the past ten years, it has become popular to restore old upholstered furniture - Soviet sofa-books, dining chair seats, favorite armchairs. Reasons why people give new life old things, almost sentimental - a relic sofa brought by great-grandfather in the form of a trophy from the war, or an armchair in which grandmother knitted a lot of socks for the family in three generations.

But more often we are surprised to understand that solid Soviet furniture in terms of quality and integrity of the frame is much better than the new one, which is in the low and medium price ranges. Such furniture is often made of raw timber, cheap spring blocks, and is pulled over with cheap and low-quality fabric from above.

A great number of master restorers have appeared - there are even such craftsmen who can transform appearance old sofa, that it will not differ from modern counterparts in design and content. But, in fact, with minimal household skills, desire and patience, the constriction upholstered furniture with your own hands - a simple and even creative activity.

Do-it-yourself furniture restoration and upholstery methods

Furniture restoration allows you to completely transform old interior items

There are two ways to update the appearance of upholstered furniture: washing and replacing. Both options are quite time-consuming and technically cumbersome, but doable! All efforts will pay off when you see and feel the fruits of your labor with a sense of complete satisfaction.

This option is best suited for small pieces of furniture: chair seats, stools and small armchairs. If you like the upholstery fabric on your favorite old sofa, it is well preserved, has a unique woven pattern, and you understand that the modern analogue is not affordable, then the sofa cover can also be washed.


For washing large furniture covers, it is better to use the services of a professional laundry.
  • Saving money - you only spend time with small expenses, including the cost of detergents and furniture fittings (staples, lining fabric).
  • The revival of the authentic look of the piece of furniture.

Minus one, but significant - it is likely that the cover will “sit down” or even spread when washed. Since the upholstery fabric is not designed for washing, it is not treated for shrinkage, as, for example, clothing fabrics.

Complete upholstery replacement

This path is the longest and most difficult, but true. Old and dilapidated upholstery is mercilessly thrown away, and the sofa can please you with a brand new fabric in fresh colors. It is quite possible to do a complete replacement of a furniture cover yourself at home. But be prepared for the appearance of problems hidden under a leaky cover: cracked frame beams, broken springs, a broken fiberboard or a faulty lock mechanism.

If, having opened the cover, you are disappointed to find internal breakdowns, do not despair - just the operation to replace the cover develops into a more complex, capital phase of upholstering upholstered furniture.

Padding

This relatively new concept includes not only the replacement of the upholstery, but also: a complete repair of the frame, replacement of foam rubber, locks, spring blocks, everything that is needed. In fact, reupholstering is a major overhaul of upholstered furniture, as a result of which you will receive a new interior element made to your taste.


Overhaul allows you to save even the most "killed" furniture

Necessary tools and materials

In order for the work on the upholstery of upholstered furniture to proceed comfortably, measuredly and without unnecessary nerves, you need to prepare the necessary tools in advance.

Instruments d for disassembly and assembly work

  • Large flat screwdriver and pliers - hook and pull out old staples.
  • A Phillips or flathead screwdriver to fit the slot of the screws that secure the lock to the frame.
  • Set of wrenches for nuts and bolts.

Almost all upholstered furniture frames are bolted, so you can’t do without a set of keys
  • Roulette - take the necessary measurements when replacing body parts.
  • Stapler - construction or pneumatic. The second is preferable because, without any effort on your part, it drives long, strong staples deep into the wood of the frame, even through several layers of fabric.
  • Staples - from 6 mm to 10 mm, depending on the thickness and density of the selected upholstery fabric.
  • Garbage bags (bigger and denser).

To sew new covers you will need:

  • New upholstery fabric - the choice in stores is breathtaking, choose according to taste and cost. In order not to make a mistake with the footage, sketch out an approximate detail before buying. Consider standard width roll - up to 145 cm (together with the edging of the edges of the canvas) and the location of the patterns relative to the pile and gloss of matter.
  • Lining fabric for padding the back surfaces of the back and seat. It is not necessary to do this, but the lining layer will protect the furniture from dust getting inside, and the cost of the lining material is low. Therefore, it is better not to neglect this simple operation.
  • Sharp scissors, best of all special tailor's for cutting.

When cutting new covers, tailor's scissors will be simply irreplaceable
  • Crayons or thin pieces of soap.
  • Threads - no less than No. 10, and better - special reinforced for hard fabrics.
  • Meter line.
  • Pattern paper, if you are going to modify the appearance of the product: change the shape of the front, back and seats.
  • Sewing machine.

Tightening technology

Dismantling old furniture

This is the first and dirtiest stage - you have to unscrew and remove the former, locks and disassemble the frame. Then remove all the old staples with which the upholstery is fastened to the frame.


After removing the upholstery, a rather unsightly picture may open up to your eyes.

Take care of the place of disassembly - you have to stir up the "dust of the ages" that has soaked the sofa or chair. And the staples have a nasty habit of scattering across the floor and digging into the soles of slippers (or feet). If it is not possible to disassemble the sofa on the street, cover the equipment (TVs, computers, etc.) with a film, and take everything you can to another room.

Keep garbage bags handy - you will have to throw away a lot of rubbish, which has turned into the internal stuffing of the sofa (armchairs, chairs, etc.). When you finish disassembling, immediately remove all the resulting garbage from the house. In the internal dust of upholstered furniture, various muck can lurk - from allergens to dust mites.

Repair work and replacement of parts

Having removed the old cover, you can find a number of serious breakdowns under the harmless scuffs of the upholstery, do not rush to give up and throw away the sofa, calculating in your mind how much it will cost to buy a new one.

All repair problems are solvable, and parts are replaceable - the list of breakdowns and how to fix them is not as extensive and scary as it might seem at first glance.

Cracked frame beams

All old sofas and armchairs are based on frames fastened with locks and glue. This is a strong and durable system, much better than modern installation with self-tapping screws. But when the service life ends, the corners of the frames give slack and crack. Beams need to be changed. choose dry wood, without knots, cracks and bark - bast or middle with an even straight structure. Otherwise, the beam, which carries a large load, and does not have strength and integrity, will quickly burst. A damp tree in warm and dry apartment conditions will begin to dry out and warp belatedly. It is better to repeat the lock saw - order a master carpenter or do it yourself. It is better to impregnate the joints of the frame beams with PVA glue before joining.

Broken parts made of fiberboard (pads-lintels of the seat and back frame)

Everything is simpler here - you measure the size and cut out new parts yourself with a jigsaw or make them to order in a furniture workshop. It is better to prepare separate parts of the jumpers (in old sofas there are usually three of them - the middle and two side ones), which are easier to change in case of a break. You can attach them to the frame with nails or a pneumatic stapler.


Broken springs not only impair the ammartization properties of furniture, but can also cause injuries and cuts.

A sore spot is the middle of the seat, where children love to jump and guests sit. Some craftsmen manage to "twist" the spring blocks, changing the burst springs to new ones. However, there is no guarantee that after some time another one will not burst old spring And for her sake, you do not have to start all over again. Therefore, it is more rational to replace the spring blocks completely.

Seat belt replacement


Any dense tape of a suitable width can act as belts.

Usually, the frames of the seats and backs of old chairs are pulled together with interlaced wide belts, on which foam rubber is laid. And the belts are very rarely torn, most often the junction of the belt and the frame is rubbed. Any belts that you consider durable will work as a replacement. The main thing is that they should be tightly woven, preferably from synthetic materials and at least 5-7 cm wide.

Clumped foam

Any kind of foam rubber has such technical specification, as the number of compressions. This is an indicator of how many times the material can withstand compression and be able to restore its original shape and elasticity. Almost always, in old furniture, foam rubber has long outlived its usefulness in this parameter and has turned into dust or a viscous substance resembling sticky plasticine. Throw it away without regret and lay a new foam rubber.


It is better not to save on foam rubber - this is not only a soft layer, but also protection internal structure from breakdowns

Replacing locks

It is also a common problem - over time, the steel mechanism of the lock becomes loose, a play appears in it or the springs fly off, snapping the lock into the “sitting” or “lying” position. Inspect the lock carefully, it may be necessary to change the screw or adapt a new latch spring. If not, then the lock will have to be changed - fortunately, this is not a problem, in furniture fittings stores you will be offered big choice modern castles.

Master class on sewing new cases

The most creative stage of work. You can leave the look of the furniture the same, in which case, you can use old covers as patterns. Before use, they should be thoroughly shaken and vacuumed.

When cutting new parts, carefully monitor the location of the weft and warp threads, as well as the direction of the pile. This is especially true for the patterns of the past and the seat-back, if the width of the fabric does not allow you to make a one-piece cover (meaning the upholstery of the sofa-book).

With your creative and sewing skills, you can transform the look of old furniture into a modern, comfortable, and personal style. The main part of the modifications is achieved by foam rubber overlays - soft rollers on the formers, backrest headrests are added. You can take into account the location of the body in a sitting position and add foam pads on the seat (under the knees) and inserts under the lower back.

When using darts, folds, figured parts, covers will get completely new form and become more modern.

In order to qualitatively and beautifully perform work on modifying the appearance of upholstered furniture, you need basic skills in cutting and tailoring. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to risk doing it yourself, but to involve a specialist in the work.

The nuances of cutting and sewing

  • Leave a seam allowance of 1 - 1.5 cm, depending on the density of the fabric.

When cutting the fabric, be sure to leave 1-1.5 centimeters for the seams
  • It is desirable to process the edges of the sewn parts with an overlock or zigzag.
  • Coarse pile upholstery should be hand tufted before machine stitching to avoid shifting of parts.
  • If leatherette, artificial or natural leather is selected for upholstery, then when making facial finishing seams as a presser foot sewing machine use a special roller. IN last resort, you can smear the surface of the fabric under the foot thin layer engine oil.
  • In the case of sewing decorative overlays into the cover, baste the folds manually.

As often as possible in the process of sewing, do fittings - foam rubber, softening a rigid spring frame, pliable material, the shape of which is set precisely by the cover.

Fixing new covers on the details of upholstered furniture

Repair work has been done, the covers have been sewn, it's time to proceed to the crucial stage of stretching the new upholstery. You need to be clearly aware that the final result and the appearance of your chair or sofa depend on the quality of this stage. You will need patience and accuracy in your work.

At the stage of the last fitting, it will still be possible to correct mistakes - to sew in or loosen the corners a little, to alter the tucks. Do not be alarmed if the case is very tight on the frame - in the process of attaching it, you will still “shoot” it even tighter. Worse, if the cover is put on freely, because. attaching it with staples, there is a high probability of getting ugly folds and creases.

The sequence of work on fastening new upholstery covers:

  • First of all, put the covers on the parts and, while they are in a free position, straighten them as much as possible. The seams should be even and parallel to the edges of the parts, match the corners of the covers with the corners of the frames.
  • Then start fastening the cover with staples - holding the stapler in your right hand, with your left hand constantly, with stroking movements, stretch the fabric from the middle of the part to the edge. Watch out for a smooth and evenly rounded bevel - this is especially true for the edges of the backs and seats of armchairs and sofas. It is better to start “shooting” with staples from the middle, so possible excess tissue will move to the edges, where they can be sutured by hand.

stapler - best tool for fastening furniture covers
  • When upholstering the former, carefully cut out the holes for the bolts with scissors and shoot the edges of the cutouts with staples. If necessary, use a hammer to drive the staples into the wood more tightly.
  • After stretching the upholstery, you need to close the wrong sides with sheets of lining fabric. Do not waste time carefully cutting and cutting out the lining with scissors. Having outlined the approximate length, taking into account the inversion of the edges of 3–4 cm on each side, make a notch with scissors and tear the fabric, the synthetic lining is torn exactly along the thread, which you will not get when cutting with scissors. Shoot the wrong side with the lining from the corners, pulling the fabric tightly.

Sometimes you really want to change the situation in the apartment and change the furniture. Sometimes an old sofa simply loses its original appearance, but there is no money to buy a new one. What to do in this case? There is a way out - hand-made upholstery of the sofa!

Let's get acquainted in more detail with all aspects and stages of this, at first glance, a difficult process.


What fabric to choose and what filler is suitable?

Let us consider in more detail the most popular materials for external upholstery and for internal filling. Not every material, of all existing ones, can be suitable for reupholstering sofas - certain properties are required, for example:

  • the fabric must have a high degree of wear resistance;
  • the material must be dense and color stable - that is, the color should not fade and fade over time;
  • upholstery should not shrink, the fabric should shrink and stretch well if necessary;
  • resistance to friction - pellets should not form on the fabric;
  • it is best that the material has special impregnation, which protects it from the absorption of liquids and the appearance of stubborn stains;
  • it is good if the material has such qualities as environmental friendliness and resistance to fire;
  • the fabric should be breathable - it is this quality that will help prevent the material from spreading at the seams.


Let's take a closer look at the most popular fabric upholstery options for sofas, the features and benefits of each of them.

Flock

So called nonwoven fabric, which is made by gluing the fibers of the material with a special base. It is resistant to damage, easy to clean, does not fade and does not absorb moisture. In addition, animal hair does not stick to this material, so when caring for the surface of the sofa, it will be enough to wipe it with a damp cloth.

Among the shortcomings of the material, they note low wear resistance - the fabric wears out quickly, and also has a tendency to absorb odors, including unpleasant ones.


Faux suede

Faux suede has a lot of properties that meet the needs of consumers. In addition, she has more low cost than natural suede, but in no way inferior in some quality characteristics.


Artificial suede is very durable and has high wear resistance, does not fade and wears out only after a very long time. long term services. However, there are a number of disadvantages, which, by the way, do not concern the functionality of the material: when using chemical cleaning agents, it quickly becomes unusable, it cannot be durable if the base is of poor quality.

Leatherette

Leatherette is a quite practical and rather cheap material suitable for upholstering sofas. Leather can be very expensive, and since a large amount of it may be needed to upholster an entire sofa, a more budgetary artificial option is used.


Leatherette has the following advantages: resistance to moisture, does not lend itself to rapid abrasion, practical, easy to care for.

But, unfortunately, in addition to the advantages, this material also has some disadvantages: it quickly undergoes combustion, mechanical damage is clearly visible on it, it sticks strongly to the naked skin of a person.

eco-leather

Eco-leather is also popular, which is also of artificial origin, but is made from more environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic materials.


Jacquard

The material is woven and in its soft texture is similar to rayon fibers. It consists of both natural and synthetic fibers, in equal proportions. The fabric is very durable and wear-resistant, so that the sofa can last long years without losing its original appearance. In addition, it does not fade, and the variety of colors provides a wide range of sofas to choose from.

Among the shortcomings of the material, a slightly slippery surface is noted, as well as the inability to use wet care, which is often the most effective.


chenille

The material, the surface of which resembles many small caterpillars, is obtained by means of a special interlacing of fibers and threads. This fabric is both natural and synthetic. The advantages include the preservation of the original shape - the fabric is not deformed and does not stretch.

In addition, it is not prone to absorbing unpleasant odors and the appearance of pellets.


The fabric is practical, retains its original appearance and bright colors for a long time. The disadvantages include the lack of moisture-resistant properties, high cost and sensitivity to the mechanical effects of animal claws.

Tapestry

Tapestry is the most popular fabric for upholstery. It is also called two-faced, since the ornaments that are applied to it can often be used both on one side and on the other. The tissue contains a large number of cotton, as well as the rest of the fibers are natural. The material has a high degree of strength and wear resistance, has moisture-resistant impregnation, does not fade and pleases customers with a wide range of colors and patterns.

But, unfortunately, this material wears out quickly and fades from exposure to sunlight, so you should not put a sofa covered with tapestry by the window.


Velours

The material is mixed because it contains fibers of viscose, polyester and cotton. In addition to the fact that the fabric is very attractive in appearance and pleasant to the touch, it is also quite durable, resilient and "breathable", that is, it passes air well.


But there are a number of disadvantages: it is applicable exclusively soft cleaning, stains are very difficult to remove, the material is subject to a rapid loss of its original appearance, since it wears out very quickly.

In addition to the outer upholstery, in some cases it is necessary to replace the inner filling of the old sofa. Consider the most popular materials that are best suited for this:

  • Polyurethane foam. A very practical, hypoallergenic material that can withstand heavy loads. Well ventilated and promotes good moisture circulation;



  • Felt.natural material, obtained in the process of felting wool with various techniques. The material is not used as a main mattress, but its insulating and wear-resistant features make it an excellent lining option;


  • Latex. It is considered elite, therefore it is used to fill expensive sofas. It is durable, elastic and belongs to the category of orthopedic materials;


  • coconut tow. A natural material made from coconut fibres. A mattress made of this material is absolutely not elastic and rather hard, but it is hypoallergenic and quite profitable.


How to make correct material calculations?

It is not enough just to choose the right materials needed for the upholstery of the sofa. An important aspect is also the calculation of the amount of tissue.

It is worth noting that it is better to take a little more than the calculated amount, since unforeseen circumstances may arise and there may not be enough fabric.


  • First of all, you need to carefully remove old cloth with which the sofa was upholstered, keeping the details intact.
  • The next step is to carefully measure them, and then summarize all the results regarding horizontal forms. To the amount received, it will be necessary to add a twentieth of the result, which will go to joining patterns and seam allowances. The resulting total will indicate the required length.
  • Width is calculated in a different and much simpler way: you only need to measure the widest part.


If there are sofa cushions, they should also be taken into account. The amount of fabric needed to sew pillows is calculated as follows: the width and length of the products are measured, the results are added together and doubled.

It will be necessary to add additional centimeters, which will be used for allowances.



In the event that the old upholstery cannot be removed or cannot be measured, all measurements will be approximate only - commonly used double values sofa length and width For upholstery of a sofa with massive armrests and additional details, the length of the product should be multiplied by five in order to avoid a shortage of material.

We make a pattern

It is good if, when removing the old upholstery, it remains intact - then making a pattern will not be difficult. But what if it is impossible to cut new ones according to old patterns? In this case, you will have to make your own pattern, suitable for a specific sofa model.

First of all, it is necessary to measure all the parts that make up the sofa: backs, seats and armrests.



Let's take a closer look at the process of drawing up a pattern, using a simple example:

  • Armrest. It is necessary to measure its outer, inner and front parts. As a result, for two armrests you should get six parts - a pair of all of the above.
  • Seat. One solid piece is cut out, dividing in half by a fold. One part of the part will cover the surface on which they sit, the other part flows into the lower front, vertically located, surface.
  • Back. Several parts are cut out: the front part in a single copy and two halves, intended for constriction of the back part of the back. It must be taken into account that the back of the back should be almost twice as long as the front, since it covers the entire back of the sofa.

It is better to first apply patterns on special paper, then cut out the details, and then transfer them to the material. This will save you from mistakes and damage to the fabric.


In addition, when cutting out parts, you need to add a few centimeters to each edge - for processing the edges of the material and for seam allowances.

Instruments

In addition to patterns and fabrics, special working tools will also be needed for the upholstery of sofas, without which the whole process will simply be impossible. Let us consider in more detail the entire list of tools, as well as the functions that they perform:

  1. To dismantle the old upholstery and some obsolete parts, and then assemble the sofa, you may need wrench, hand screwdriver or electric screwdriver.
  2. To remove the upholstery and unhook the old furniture staples, you need pliers or a special tool designed specifically for this. You should be careful, because the staples have sharp ends and, if they fall to the floor and get lost, they can easily bite into your leg and injure you.
  3. For constriction of the sofa at home and fixing the material, it is better to use furniture stapler and staples of the required length. For a small amount of work, you can also use a mechanical model, but if you have to fit a large number of parts, it is better to opt for an electronic product.
  4. You need a hammer and a construction knife. These tools will come in handy if you have to adjust any parts directly in the process of fixing and fixing them;
  5. Do not forget about the tape measure, the length of the ruler, pencils and fabric crayons, as well as sharp scissors. All these things will be indispensable when taking measurements, drawing up patterns and making fabric parts.


We sew a sofa at home with our own hands

Furniture upholstery - not so much difficult task as it might seem at first. It is necessary to study all the main stages of work in advance, as well as draw up a plan for upcoming actions that will help facilitate the process and not miss a single important detail:

  • First of all, you need to disassemble the sofa, since it is simply impossible to drag a piece of furniture in the assembled state. It is necessary to carefully unfasten and unscrew all the parts so as not to damage the fasteners, since after tightening all the parts will need to be returned to their places.



After disassembling the sofa, the next step is to remove the old upholstery. It is necessary to carefully unfasten the staples and pull out the material. The mattress can also be replaced if necessary.



  • Replacing the internal content is the next step. On the this stage the foam or spring frame is replaced. It is worth noting that the first option is much easier to work with. In case of spring mattress, its complete replacement may not be necessary. If the frame is in good condition, you can repair and correct the shape of the springs with the help of available tools. If the springs are completely worn out, the replacement of the entire sofa mattress will be necessary.


  • Next, the filler of the back of the old sofa, pillows and armrests are replaced, if they are soft.


  • After replacing the internal filling, it is necessary to cut out all the details from the fabric and sew the corresponding parts together.



  • After cutting and stitching the parts together, the upholstery stage begins. We drag the armrests, seats, pillows and the back of the sofa.


At the bottom of the seats, armrests and sofa frame, the material is fastened with special furniture staples.


  • After fixing all the fabric parts and completing the upholstery of the sofa, its final assembly follows. Upon completion of this stage, the sofa will take on a completely different appearance, without changing its design.

Reupholstering will help an outdated piece of furniture sparkle with new colors and become a stylish center of any interior.



More detailed process sofa banners can be seen in the next video.

Self-upholstery of a corner sofa

Drag a simple straight sofa model is quite simple, the only difficulty can be in working with the armrests. But it is much more difficult to change the upholstery of a corner sofa, since there are different models, with different features causing difficulties in work.

Consider the options for constricting a corner sofa using the example of two models


With rectangular corner

A sofa with a rectangular corner element is much easier to update, as there are fewer parts that need to be reupholstered. Often such models have a dolphin mechanism and large sofa cushions acting as a back.

The main stages of upholstery of such a model are no different from any other:

  • the sofa must first be disassembled;
  • restore the mattress or completely change the filling;
  • take measurements from all parts;
  • cut new upholstery.


In addition to the standard parts, you will need to cut out the upholstery for the corner rectangular element. If necessary, you also need to change the filling and upholstery of the hidden part, which becomes visible when the sofa is expanded and is part of the bed.

In addition, armrests, the back of the sofa and all cushions need upholstery. Because they are independent element and do not have a clear frame, you can change the filling of pillows to any other option, for example, more hypoallergenic or environmentally friendly.




round corner

You will have to make a little more effort and approach the process with all your attention. The complexity of the upholstery of such a sofa lies in unusual shape backs, as well as the presence of additional semicircular elements attached to the armrests. In addition, the corner part of this sofa consists of a protruding square part and a triangular element located in the corner.


For seat upholstery, you will need three elements: a square, a triangle and a rectangle. In addition to the backrest, all the lower elements of the sofa also need to be tightened - the parts that are in a vertical position under the seats.

Stages of wrapping a model with a spring block

Upholstery of a sofa with a spring mattress can require special efforts. Let us consider in more detail all the main stages of working with such a model of a sofa mattress:

  • First of all, we select the right materials. For example, dense felt, which is used specifically for furniture, is perfect for a variant with springs as a mattress seal.
  • Using a special stapler for furniture, we fasten the cut piece of felt to the wooden frame of the sofa seat. Small but strong staples should be used to help secure and hold the material against the base.
  • Next comes the preparation of the spring block. If you have purchased a new one and it does not fit in size, you need to adjust its dimensions with the help of a grinder and special nippers. The resulting spring block must be fixed on the same wooden seat base. You can use furniture staples and a stapler.

In this case, you should choose larger staples with longer legs to ensure a more secure fit.

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