Guide to Upholstering

Upholstery is part of furniture-making and repair. Chairs, couches, sofa pillows and ottomans are often upholstered as the upholstery adds comfort and warmth. Upholstery is the art of adding fabric, cushions, springs and details to a piece of furniture to give it a finished look.

History

• The word "upholster" is from the term "up holder." Historically, the word refers to the craftsman who built furniture, dating back to the 13th century. Today, the reference generally refers to reupholstering a piece of furniture.

Getting Started

• Upholstery takes time, patience and tools. If you are new to upholstery, start by taking a class or reading a book on the required skills and necessary equipment. Some common tools are a sewing machine, scissors, staple gun, tack hammer and a grommet maker. You will also need fabric and accessories such as buttons and welting.

Fabrics

• You can choose almost any fabric that you like for upholstery. One important consideration is the durability of the material, especially if the piece will get a lot of use. Fabric stores carry thick, sturdy upholstery material and leather.

Small Project

• Start with a simple project, such as an ottoman. Begin by carefully taking off the upholstery; remove it carefully and use it to make a pattern for your new piece of fabric. You may need to use a hammer or pliers to remove the tacks. Replace the padding if necessary. Pull the fabric tightly to the edges, then tack it into place, using special upholstery tacks.