How to Reupholster a Love Seat
- 1). Tip your love seat onto its face and use the screwdriver to remove any staples or upholstery tacks holding the fabric to the bottom and back. Use the utility knife to carefully slit any seams. Do not destroy the original fabric as you remove it--this is going to be your pattern for the new upholstery.
- 2). Remove the fabric from the rest of the loveseat. Number and label each piece of fabric as you take it off. If your loveseat has cushions with non-removable covers, leave them be. You can reupholster right over the old fabric.
- 3). Lay your new fabric print-side down on a flat surface, and pin the old fabric (also wrong side down) to it. Cut the pieces out, leaving an extra 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides.
- 4). Measure the length, width and thickness of your cushions. Lay a cushion on the fabric and trace around it twice--once for the front, and once for the back, leaving an extra 1/2-inch of fabric on all sides.
- 5). Use the measurements you took to cut long rectangles of fabric to cover the length and width of the cushions. Make all fabric cuts at least 1/2-inch larger than you need.
- 6). Attach batting and upholstery foam to any parts of your loveseat that need to be plumped. Spray that part of the loveseat with adhesive spray and then attach the foam or batting. If you are using both, attach the foam first and place the batting on top. Spray a layer of adhesive between them so the batting doesn't start to slip over time.
- 7). Use the staple gun and staples to attach your new fabric to the loveseat. Follow the numbers and work in reverse order from how you stripped it.
- 8). Add batting to your cushions and attach it with the adhesive spray. Fit your cushion fabric to the cushion by assembling the cover wrong-side out around the cushion and pinning it in place. Pin it a little loosely, or you won't be able to get it back on the cushion once it is turned right-side in.
- 9). Sew the cushion fabric with the sewing machine, making sure to leave one side open so that you can slide the cushion into the cover. Turn the fabric right-side out, put it on the cushion and close it by running a seam on the sewing machine, or using a blind stitch.
- 10
Optional: Attach decorative trim with a hot glue gun or ornamental upholstery tacks.
