Updated at: 06-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

The upholsterer’s job is made more difficult by the presence of fixed cushions in the sofa. People often wonder if they should just get a slipcover or if they should just reupholster the piece. Reupholstering a couch with attached cushions is more work than reupholstering one without them because you have to remove the fabric before you can staple it behind the cushions and into the frame. A further advantage of linked cushions is that they prevent the cushion material from rolling around within the sofa. Anyone with access to sufficient fabric and simple tools may recover your sofa, restoring it to its former glory in terms of comfort and aesthetics.

Remove the Old Fabric

To get rid of the staples holding the bottom of the couch together, you’ll need to flip it over and use a staple puller to get them out. If you can’t find any staples, use a seam ripper to open the bottom seams. If you don’t need to keep the fabric together for any reason, cutting it off the bottom of the couch with the scissors is a lot quicker choice. Keep going until all of the fabric is gone, using whichever technique works best.

A Beginner's Guide to Reupholstering a Couch, Step by Step - Dengarden

Determine the Amount of Fabric

You can estimate how many yards of replacement fabric you’ll need by laying out the fabric you just ripped out. Add at least one yard to the removed fabric amount to account for any differences that may occur due to non-professional installation of the fabric.

Reupholster Couch with Attached Cushions

You may simply cut out the needed size and drape it over the sofa. Tuck the fabric securely around the cushions and into the space between the cushion and the back as a first step. Stapling the fabric as deeply as possible into the crevices of the couch’s wood frame will ensure that it stays tautly stretched across the cushion.

Keep stretching the fabric across the couch’s back, arms, and front, and staple it to the wooden frame anywhere you can for the tightest possible attachment. Stapling the fabric to the couch’s legs every four inches will secure the fabric in place. Take some scissors and trim off the surplus.

Add Fluff as Needed

Prior to applying the final staples to the fabric encircling a portion, cotton batting or foam padding can be used to firm up any drooping or flat cushions. Fill to the brim to compensate for the volume loss that will occur.

How to Upholster Sofa Cushions

Couch cushion upholstering is a great afternoon activity for the DIY-minded homeowner. Throw pillows are a great way to inject new life into a room by introducing contrasting colors, patterns, and textures. Fabrics that rip and tear quickly are better suited for decorative pillows than the main seating cushions on a sofa, so choose wisely.

To remove the cushion covers from the foam inserts, unzip them. After turning them inside out, you can use a seam ripper to undo the stitching and remove the zipper. When releasing the seams of multi-piece cushions, it can be helpful to make a schematic of the pieces and how they should be reassembled.

Prepare the new fabric and old cushion coverings for ironing. This smoothes out any creases that can throw off your measurements and helps straighten out any folded seam edges.

Spread out the brand new fabric with the facing down. The floor may be the most suitable location for larger cushions. Trace the outline of the old cover with fabric chalk by placing it on top of the new cloth. Ensure a smooth surface by flattening the seam edges.

Use sharp scissors to remove the template.

Following the template of the old cover, join the two edges of the seam. Put them under the presser foot and sew a straight seam along the edge. It’s the other side’s turn now. Numerous sofa cushions are made from one continuous sheet of cloth that simply folds over at the front, with seams only on the short ends. If your template calls for a front seam, stitch it in after you’ve finished the first side.

A quarter inch of excess fabric should be folded over and stitched down at the back seam. Flip the cloth right-side out, and insert the zipper from the used cushion into the newly created opening with the teeth facing outward. Place the zipper along the seam and sew it in place from the outside of the fabric. When replacing a broken zipper, it is important to first determine the exact size of the opening before going shopping for a replacement.

The new cover may be applied to the foam cushion by simply pushing it on. Cut a piece of foam to fit the height of the cushion, then slip it inside the cover on top of the current cushions if the cover is taller than the cushion. Although foam flattens out over time, you may always add more layers to make up the difference.

Toss the cushion on the couch and zip up the back.

Reupholstering a Couch Pillow

Simply replacing the cover on a damaged couch cushion with a new one is the core of reupholstering that pillow. The house furnishings will seem new for a longer period of time and will last longer as a result.

A Beginner's Guide to Reupholstering a Couch, Step by Step - Dengarden

Step 1: Separate the pillow form and cover

Taking off the cushion cover is less of a hassle if it is detachable. All you have to do to get rid of the pillow form is open it up (through zip or button) or take it out (via opening). It’s up to you whether you want to recycle the old cloth or throw it away.

But if you can’t take the inserts out of the case, you’ll have to cut an improvised aperture in the fabric. A seam ripper is required to open the cover and reveal the filling inside.

Step 2: Examine the inserts for damages

Especially if the pillow form is shaped or composed of foam padding, make sure to check all of the surfaces, edges, and corners for any signs of wear or damage. Find the exact dimensions of any holes or rips so you may patch them properly.

If, on the other hand, your pillow filling is flexible and free-form, you may judge for yourself whether or not you need to add more. That depends on whether or not the cushion’s surface has strange depressions and if it refuses to be fluffed.

Step 3: Get the dimensions and shape of the padding

The amount of fabric required for a reupholstery project is directly proportional to the size of the item being reupholstered. Measure its length and width if it has a regular shape, but first make a trace of it on paper if its outline isn’t normal.

Step 4: Start sewing the front and back sides together

The new cover’s front and back fabrics should be cut using the measurements or pattern from the previous stage, with a couple of inches added on each side for seam allowance.

Set the right sides together, pin them, and begin stitching. Choose the fillings that will be used. You should only sew together three of the edges if the padding is foam. To make it easier to pack, leave only a little opening.

Step 5: Close the covers

To finish, simply sew or glue down the aperture after stuffing it. This time, the case’s remaining open edge may be closed with a simple hand stitch. In the end, your couch cushion will look brand new.

Tips for How to Reupholster a Couch Pillow

The following are optional instructions that will help you achieve the best possible outcomes, although doing so is strongly suggested. These are broad in scope and can be used for a wide variety of tasks, not just reupholstering.

Pre-wash and iron the fabrics before starting

It’s easier to prevent dirt from accumulating on your cushion than than clean it after the fact. Not ironing the fabric can also lead to inaccurate measurements and an unprofessional appearance due to the wrinkled surfaces.

Taper the corners of the pillow

If you add a seam allowance to the pillow’s corners, you’ll end up with unsightly projections, especially at the sharp edges. Using upholstery fabric increases the possibility of this happening. Rounding off the corners isn’t the answer here; tapering them is.

A Guide on How to Choose the Perfect Couch Pillow

It’s time to buy new pillows if the old ones are too worn for reupholstering. Some guidelines to follow when searching for the ideal sofa cushion are as follows:

Tip 1: Go for a symmetrical arrangement when placing pillows on your couch

You run the risk of making a chaotic mess when using multiple fabrics at once. You may achieve a more put-together look for your sofa by placing items symmetrically.

Tip 2: Choose one color palette

If you want your pillow arrangement to stand out, use a monochromatic color scheme. It’s important to select pillows in the same color family or in a group with contrasting colors.

Tip 3: Use one simple print, one plain print, and one busy print

The same rule applies to using decorative pillows in general. Larger or busier prints look best on larger pillows or pillows placed front and center when using couch cushions of varying sizes. Pillows like these can really establish the mood in a space. Miniature ones are best for solid colors or easy patterns.

Tip 4: Don’t go overboard

Throw pillows for the couch serve a more practical use than just decoration. The size of your couch should determine how many throw pillows you have. Find a happy medium and avoid going overboard.

do it yourself divas: DIY Strip Fabric From a Couch and Reupholster It

Final Thoughts on How to Reupholster a Couch Pillow

Knowing how to reupholster a couch pillow can help you save both money and time. If you do it yourself, you can avoid spending money on a professional service when you could have accomplished the same thing in the same amount of time.