Gain From Others

• Locate how-to books on reupholstering that contain large, clear, color photographs of the basic process. Libraries and yard sales are inexpensive ways to find these books. Follow along, using inexpensive fabric and small projects. You might even start with a foot stool. Once the process is understood, find a fabric store that carries upholstery fabric, foam and other supplies you will need. Spend some time examining the different fabrics and determining how difficult they might be to work with. Begin to review decorator magazines for ideas. Look for interesting color combinations and sewing techniques like gathering, pinning and pleating.
  
  

Take It Apart

• Deconstructing an object is the best way to learn about how it was made. Curious children and adults have been doing this with mechanical items for a long time. Simple observation can create a personal guide to a process. As the tacks and staples are removed from an existing piece, examine the fabric and note how it was cut and attached. Reuse the old pieces as patterns for the new upholstery. You might also want to use a piece of chalk to number the fabric pieces, in order, as you remove them. Take photos as the process unfolds and create a photo guidebook of reupholstering for reference.
  
  

Hands On Is Better

• Before removing existing upholstery, decide how far the upholstery project will go. Do you plan to go all the way to the frame, replacing portions of the structure plus new fabric or just the replacement of the fabric? Sometimes you can tell by just looking at a piece of furniture what structural issues it has. Many problems, however, must be felt by hand to be understood completely. Assess the padding's firmness by pressing the hands across the seat and other areas of the furniture piece. Flattened edges or dimpled areas will require new padding. The underside of the piece may require removal of the muslin cover. Look into the springs and webbing and assess the material used at the base of the structure, which may be burlap or muslin. Shredded or mildewed material should be removed.