Wednesday, November 30, 2016

How to Re-Upholster Furniture with Deep, Folded Tufts

Ever since I first tried to tuft a piece of furniture the easy way (see: "Simple Tufted Headboard"), I have wanted to know how to properly upholster furniture with deep, diamond-folded tufts.  It took me a couple years, but I finally found a fantastic seamstress and professional upholsterer who shared their secrets with me, and now I will share them with you!

I started with a simple piece, this oval ottoman.  I was working on a project where we needed to find a deep burgundy ottoman, but one couldn't be found so we had to create our own!:

TOOLS:

- Pliers
- Flat-head screw-driver
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Hammer
- Permanent marker
- Upholstery needle
- Tweezers

MATERIALS:

- Upholstery fabric
- Fabric covered-buttons
- Button cord (about 2' for each button)


PROCEDURE:

STEP 1:  Remove the existing covering



All re-upholstery begins with pulling a lot of staples!  Flip your furniture over, and using your flat-head screwdriver and pliers, start pulling out all the staples that are securing the fabric to the frame.

STEP 2: Release the Buttons


Once you have the fabric loosened from the frame, you will need to release the buttons in order to remove the fabric.  You can pull the staples securing the strings if you want to re-use them, or if you're tired of pulling staples and you don't need to re-use the strings, you can just cut them.

STEP 3: Cut New Fabric

Take your fabric and cut a piece of new fabric that's a little bigger:



STEP 4: Stretch and Mark Fabric

 When you remove the fabric, on the underside you will find where the strings are attached.  You will need to mark where these strings are.  I removed the strings one at a time, and stuck a pen through the fabric to make a hole where they were:


Next you will need to stretch the fabric.  A professional upholsterer will have proper tools and equipment to do this that most DIYers will not.  Do the best you can by ironing out the old fabric on top of the new fabric, securing the edges with pins to keep it in place.


Using a permanent marker, mark the position of the holes onto the back-side of your new fabric:




STEP 5:  Attach Strings to New Fabric

Using an upholstery needle, double the string and and pull it through your marks just enough to form a loop.  Pass the ends of the string through the loop and pull to secure the strings:



Repeat until you have strings attached to each of your marks.


STEP 6:  Create the New Tufts

You'll want to make sure that there are decent sized holes (about the size of a quarter) in the foam.  Professional upholsterers have special tools to do this with (especially handy if you have to cut new holes in new foam).  If you are just re-upholstering something, the holes should already be there, but you might want to take a small serrated knife and just clear them out a little:



Thread the strings on the back of your fabric through the corresponding holes in the foam/frame.  This seems like it should be easy, but it can be a little tricky.  I highly suggest enlisting a partner to help you out!  We found it easiest to work from right to left, bottom to top.  One person on the foam side would loop the strings around a pair of tweezers and then pass it through the foam/wood to the person on the other side who would pull it through and hold onto it, so that it wouldn't slip through as the fabric was adjusted on the other side.  You can also loosely tie the strings together on the other side to help with this.




Once all the right strings are pulled through all the right holes, flip the furniture over (top side down), pull the strings as hard as you can (starting from the middle working your way out), and secure them to the wood on the backside:

Pull the cord straight back and staple (use a hammer to make sure the staple is all the way in).

Pull the string back across the first staple, and secure with another staple.

When you finish securing all of the strings, flip the furniture right side up again, and you will see that the diamond folds are naturally beginning to form:



STEP 7: Fold the Tufts


Pinch and tuck the fabric from tuft to tuft to make the folds.  Make sure that you are making all your folds point in the same direction.

STEP 8:  Add the Buttons

I would highly suggest having your buttons covered by a professional upholsterer.  Snap together fabric covered buttons (that you can buy in a kit at any fabric store) are really hard to put together
with heavier upholstery fabric, and if you can get them together, they often come apart once you start to pull on them.  A professional upholsterer will have a proper button press that they use to make really strong buttons that can endure a lot of pull (80lbs).  My upholsterer did mine for 90 cents a piece - money well spent!

Double your button cord (just like you did with the strings on the back of your fabric) and loop it through the base of your button.  Pass the ends through the loop and pull to secure:




Thread the ends of the button cord through a long upholstery needle, and pass the needle through each of the tufts, pulling the cords through to the back-side of the furniture:





Once all of the buttons are threaded through, flip your furniture over (tuft-side down), and once again working from the middle out, pull the cords as hard as you can (try to get the bottom of the button down far enough that it is inside the wood) and secure to the wood with staples:



STEP 9: Fold the Edges

Pinch, and tuck the folds from the tufts on the outside edges. Once you get the folds as smooth as you can, firmly pull the fabric straight down and secure the folded fabric to the frame of the furniture with staples:





 *This particular piece of furniture had an additional foam and fabric band that went around the circumference of the bottom edge, so I could secure the staples along the bottom edge, but if it didn't, I would pull the fabric right around to the bottom and secure the folds with staples on the under-side of the frame.



STEP 10: Trim the Excess Fabric and Finish



With the new fabric now totally secured to the frame, go ahead and trim off the excess:


Finish replacing any other additional pieces and enjoy your new piece of beautifully tufted furniture!




You might also be interested in:

How To Re-Upholster Furntiure With Wood Parts 

How To Re-Upholster A Sofa

87 comments:

  1. Wow! This is the most detailed website in the net for reupholstery I could find in the last 3 years. Big thank you!!! I am still green in upholstery but now I got an idea how to do it insted of improvising. I am going to do my first sofa soon so i will keep you informed if you dont mind. Wish you a Very Marry X-mas and lots health and inspiration to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! This is the most detailed website in the net for reupholstery I could find in the last 3 years. Big thank you!!! I am still green in upholstery but now I got an idea how to do it insted of improvising. I am going to do my first sofa soon so i will keep you informed if you dont mind. Wish you a Very Marry X-mas and lots health and inspiration to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, this is interesting. I want to thank you for this great article. Thanks for sharing this :)
    shouldersback posture brace

    ReplyDelete
  4. nice post ,very detailed and informative.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i would appreciate if you have a look on
      www.decobeauty.co.uk
      and see if any suggestion for the blog section

      Delete
  5. A commitment of thankfulness is all together to share such an astounding information........
    tienda de muebles en león

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a beautiful blog and your write up has personal touch all the way

    ReplyDelete
  7. Super-looks great! Nowadays, it seems to me that few people repair furniture / appliances. Rather, they prefer to throw it away than to do something about it. I'm currently renovating the apartment - bathroom and kitchen (everything I do in the old style - home refurbishment aberdeen , I hope I can achieve a beautiful effect) . In addition, during the renovation I try to rework my old furniture :)

    ReplyDelete

  8. Such a great blog – bright and informative. Thank you for your opinion and helpful articles. https://speedypaper.com/thesis-statement-generator/

    ReplyDelete
  9. I came from a finance background and worked in MNC for so many years working on computer for something I just did for money but not for my own interest. Currently I am a homemaker, taking care of my family, 1 year old kid, run after him, growing him to be a good human being and once he sleep I turned out to be a blogger who is putting her honest thoughts and experience in public so that everyone can get help out of it. My blogs are nothing just a representation of what I am and what I feel within myself. Blogging makes me happy because this is a ladder which helps me to express myself to the whole world.TAKING CARE OF YOUSELF

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great! You have talent for such things :) I am now finishing the renovation of the bathroom with the home expert and I have it done in a similar style. I am just looking for furniture for the living room, because I want to do renovation right after the bathroom. I hope that I can find a similar one :) I certainly can not do such a thing unfortunately ...

    ReplyDelete

  11. Hello just found your Awesome blog and I want to share Mantra Wedding Planners In Chennai will help you plan your big day. Celebrate your dream wedding
    with trusted services Mehandi, Sangeet, Live Concerts...


    Wedding Planners In Chennai
    Wedding Organisers In Chennai
    Budget Wedding Planners In Chennai



    ReplyDelete
  12. hello,
    Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site alsoWeb Development

    ReplyDelete
  13. It may sound strange but I have found Crypto Bitcoin is really simple for a number of mavens. My Crypto Bitcoin was appraised by them. I don't reject these views out of hand even though I do most of the work.

    Bitcoin Era


    http://wealthcode.over-blog.com/bitcoin-era-erfahrung


    https://www.facebook.com/bitcoinera.official/

    ReplyDelete

  14. This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks.
    Ignou mba finance project
    mba finance project topics list
    mba finance project report

    ReplyDelete
  15. Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Many say exploration is part of our destiny, bayrak satışı but it’s actually our duty to future generations and their quest www.bayrak.gen.tr to ensure the survival of the human species.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Donec pharetra, odio non scelerisque fringilla, libero leo luctus sem, in pharetra lectus elit ut enim. Donec sit amet elit sem. Bayrak Üretimi ve Satışı Bayrakçı İzmir Cras id augue vestibulum, sodales nisi a, lacinia neque. Praesent non fringilla tellus, nec convallis massa. Vivamus elementum tellus www.karsiyakabayrak.com Donec ullamcorper massa id neque sagittis gravida. Phasellus euismod eget elit vel aliquam. Praesent sit amet odio at libero vulputate lobortis.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Furniture upholstery saves you more money as compared to buying new furniture. Sofa Upholstery is very famous and one of the companies who can give you a very excellent re-upholstery service is cotton ware. Where they can make your old and shabby sofa into a new one!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Furniture upholstery saves you more money as compared to buying new furniture. Sofa Upholstery is very famous and one of the companies who can give you a very excellent re-upholstery service is cotton ware. Where they can make your old and shabby sofa into a new one!

    ReplyDelete
  19. When looking for furniture information, this article is for you

    ReplyDelete
  20. You can get Apple-certified repairs and service at the Apple Store or with one of our Apple Authorized Service Providers.
    mobile phone repair in Niles
    Worked as a Senior SEO & Digital & Social Media & Graphics Design & cpa & Drop shipping & Video Editing And Youtube & Web Design And Development & Affiliate Marketing trainer at BITM (BASIS Institute of Technology & Management) since 2014-2018. Successfully completed 50+ SEO batches, 20+
    Affiliate Marketing batches and 30+ workshop on Freelancing under SEIP (Skills for Employment Investment Program).
    Best Graphic Design training in Bangladesh
    Free bangla sex video:careful

    ReplyDelete
  21. DIY home improvement great ideas for upgrading your home without the losing your mind (or your savings)

    Wood pallets

    ReplyDelete
  22. i loved the way of showing your knowledge. thanks for sharing. the post is so much valuable. also check Luxury Waterbed Sheets Collection – Buy Now

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would without reservation recommends working with Nickolas Woo If you are in the market for investment in Crypto-currencies. I have spoken to many brokers while shopping for a suitable investment plan, From the first contact, I could tell he's the type of person I could trust to help me make the best decision for me and my family, For any kind of investment plan you are expected to invest with a legit platform with the education and guidelines of a trusted Account Manager /Professional Trader and earn formidable profits within 7 days depending on the plan you're investing on, get your trading account well traded and managed with 100% trading software 85 to 95% accuracy, investment is 100% safe and the payout is guaranteed ✅ website: www.ecapitaltraders.com

    Below is a slow down of our investment package

    Private equity = Invest $350.00 USD to earn $3,500.00 USD in 2 days of trade

    Renewables = Invest $1,000.00 USD to earn $10,000.00 USD in 3 days of trade

    Infrastructure = Invest $5,000.00 USD to earn $25,000.00 USD in 4 days of trade

    Payout are after 7 days of trading.
    PAYOUT IS 100% GUARANTEED 🔥 ✅
    100% GENUINE AND RELIABLE 💯✅

    For further business inquiries kindly contact him via his business email ( abnamrotranzaction910@gmail.com ) or Whatsapp: +1(912)200-8671 to know how he could be of service to you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I’ve truly read something like this before. So great to find someone with genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

    CBSE Schools In Srikakulam
    CBSE Schools In Tirupati
    CBSE Schools In Vijayawada
    CBSE Schools In Visakhapatnam
    CBSE Schools In Vizianagaram
    CBSE Schools In West Godavari
    CBSE Schools In Hyderabad
    CBSE Schools In Adilabad
    CBSE Schools In Ameenpur
    CBSE Schools In Ameerpet

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very informative article <3 https://kalmahomes.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Such a nice information ..Get the exciting range of Office furniture India and Modular office workstationsat your budget.

    ReplyDelete
  27. It's what you'll receive with Keto Advanced Fat Burner. It is how to cope with Keto Advanced Fat Burner. I'm extremely familiar with Keto Advanced Fat Burner. Too bad Keto Advanced Fat Burner doesn't work very well. I'd say it's unreasonable to be worried bordering on this.


    Keto Advanced
    Keto Advanced Weight Loss

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for your time on putting these all together.Your blog has a lot of valuable information . Really helpful blog..I just wanted to share information about

    power bi training

    ReplyDelete
  29. really interesting guide and a DIY tutorial, and above all an awesome idea to recycle! b2b website in pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  30. Nice article, it is very helpful and hopefully this article for me. Thanks for sharing these information with all of us. whatsapp mod

    ReplyDelete
  31. thanks for sharing a nice blog keep posting like this https://mulemasters.in/

    ReplyDelete
  32. buy authentic documents online.
    passports
    drivers licenses
    birth certificates
    ids
    degrees
    certificates
    notes
    and many other documents.just let us know which document
    Wickr; donabills
    Email; donabills@protonmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm really inspired together with your writing skills and also with the format on your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great weblog like this one nowadays..half moon outdoor sofa

    ReplyDelete
  34. هل تريد شراء اثاث مكتبي شركة اثاث مكتبى هناك العديد من شركات الأثاث المكتبي في مصر والكثير من العملاء مرتبكون في اختيار أفضل شركة ، في رأيي أفضل شركة أثاث مكتبي في مصر هي شركة ستار وود .

    ReplyDelete
  35. Welcome to Automatic Swing Gates Repair London ! Our team of experienced mechanics are here to help you with all your swing gate repair needs. From fixing broken hinges to installing new gates, we can handle it all! Give us a call today and let us help you get your swing gate back up and running like new in no time!

    ReplyDelete
  36. We're excited to announce that our Roller Door Shopfront is now available! With our experts on hand, we can quickly and easily installation and repair any type of roller door shopfront.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ashley roller door provides the best Scissor Gates repair and maintenance service in London. If you need the scissor gates repairs. For other information, visit our website or contact us.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ashley roller door provides service for all types of shopfronts. We provide a London shop front fitters . We offer roller shutter repair and maintenance services in London.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ashley roller door is a leading industrial sectional door London company that installs and repairs. Anytime call for roller door repair services.

    ReplyDelete
  40. UK roller garage door provides window shutter repair, installation, and maintenance services in London. If you need the window shutter repairs. For other information, visit our website or contact us.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Uk roller garage door is a professional roller shutter repair company in London. We provide roller shutter installation, maintenance, and repair services. Visit our website and contact us today to learn more about our services.

    ReplyDelete
  42. UK Roller Garage Door offers a professional garage door near me at a price that fits any budget. We have rapidly grown to become one of the market's leaders in installation and maintenance.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Welcome to the UK Roller Garages Door website!steel roller doors We are primarily a garage door company offering a wide range of services in and around London. Our work has been commented on by clients.

    ReplyDelete
  44. automatic glass doors London provides a quick and easy door for you to get in and out of your premises. We offer a selection of sliding, swing, or telescopic doors, with security-rated windproof glass & high-performance seals

    ReplyDelete
  45. At some point, every home is going to need a little bit of work. But when it comes to shutter repair, it can be tough to know where to start. For many people, the thought of repairing their own home is daunting. After all, nobody wants to make a mistake and end up costing themselves more money in the long run!

    ReplyDelete
  46. We are proud to be one of the leading shopfront installation in the UK and offer a wide range of products to suit all budgets and requirements. Whether you are looking for a basic model to keep your premises secure. Or a more sophisticated design to enhance the look of your business.

    ReplyDelete
  47. If your home has a roller shutter frame or door, raised eyebrows may be the order of the day when you open it up and reveal the twisted metal, rusted panels, and bizarre angles. Roller Garage Door Installations have been professional work. The design and artistry behind them are something most people do not realize. We would like to tell you more about it in this article. First, a bit basic, roller shutters are composed of horizontal slats that are connected to each other with hinges. They can open and close by rolling them up or down along their tracks. When closed, they provide a barrier against the elements, pests, and intruders; when open, they let in light and air.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  49. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Dr K1 cures my chronic illness and brings back my ex after Dr K1 helps me cast a spell that binds me and husband together, Dr k1 is a traditional healer with a great ancestral power. Dr k1 prepare a herbal medicine to me that cure my chronic illness and herpes completely cure and today I get no more outbreak for two years now, He send me the herbal medicines through UPS Courier service with instruction on how to drink the herbal medicines that i drink for 15 days that cure my herpes and chronic illness.Dr K1 cures all diseases like cancer,ALS,Herpes,HPV,lLupus,HE also casts a spell.Contact Dr k1 now on Email: drk1healingcentre@gmail.com or visit his blog site www.drk1healingcentre.wordpress.com or WhatsApp:+2347084710828.
    Get your Ex back with his help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Löysin suosikki nettikasinoni - https://ggbet-fi.net/! Heidän pelialustansa on helppokäyttöinen ja GG Bet pelivalikoima on valtava. Nautin kolikkopelien valikoimasta, joissa on jännittäviä teemoja ja upeat grafiikat.

      Delete
  51. Vardhman offers an exquisite range of sofa upholstery fabrics that redefine elegance and comfort. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that your furniture piece not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time. Whether you're seeking classic patterns or modern textures, Vardhman's collection has something to complement every interior style. Elevate your living space with their premium sofa upholstery fabrics and experience the perfect blend of aesthetics and durability.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Wonderful post. I really find it interesting to upholster furniture with deep, diamond-folded tufts.
    Thanks for sharing
    Lift And Slide Doors

    ReplyDelete

  53. Get expert assistance with your Business law case study help and achieve academic success. Contact us today for reliable and professional support.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Explore a humanities assignment sample to gain insights into effective research, analysis, and writing techniques.

    ReplyDelete

  55. Get professional Portfolio Management Assignment Help . Our experts are here to help you excel in your studies.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Explore a nursing assignment sample to gain insights and enhance your understanding of the subject.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Get a sample of an economics assignment sample to help you understand key concepts and improve your academic performance.

    ReplyDelete
  58. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Explore a finance case study sample, providing insights into real-world scenarios and strategies.

    ReplyDelete
  60. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  61. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  62. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hello. Unfortunately, I am not very good at gambling, so I can not give you an exact hint. But I can promise that if you try to play in the online casino, you will definitely find something to your liking. Because there is both roulette and gambling. I really like this process. Personally, roulette every month brings a lot of prizes and winnings. Who knows, maybe you can mrbet casino https://mrbet-casino.dk/

    ReplyDelete