How To Upholster a Couch

How to upholster a couch without sewing (everything but the cushions). We take all of the old fabric and batting off of this vintage couch and show you how to replace it all. Be sure to check out all of my other upholstery videos in the playlist linked below for more tips.
• How to Upholster WITHO...
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[@speedbumpsrtehbest]

My wife and I have watched so many reupholstery videos and this is by far the most informative and accessible for beginners. Thank you, Jami Ray! And Zeb, too!

[@JamiRayVintage]

You’re welcome. I catch a lot of flack for not doing it perfectly. But I think sometimes done is better than perfect.

[@mscutiebum]

love it! I am just doing a three piece set ..ahhhhh the dismantling was the hardest but I love see your couch come together it gave me more inspiration!

[@MsSherro]

You guys are Frickin AMAZING!!!!!! I’ve Always wanted to do this but was a bit Scared, Now I Feel Empowered!!! I know I could Totally Do this!!! Learn So much from your channel!!! Such a Blessing!! Please keep the videos coming!! 👍🏻Thank you!!! 🙏🏻

[@lukepukie2913]

Wow Jami, this video is so informational! I really appreciate you're time dedicated to this amazing hobby of yours. I don't have a wife to make these for, I just have my cats that sadly don't do much. You're an very inspirational person Jami, and people appreciate you!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you!

[@deannamartinez4028]

I always love your videos but watching this really shows how far is have come in your video making. Still showed me most of what I needed to know. The coach I'm doing is a little different style.

[@liza3337]

Thank you for the thoroughness! Ive watched many videos,most hardly explain what they're doing or why.

[@pinktoonsis]

I want to thank you for this video. I have been looking for one just like this. I have an old chair of my dad's that has wood all around the top and sides like the couch you just did. I couldn't quite figure out how to pull the fabric around the exposed wood areas without it looking like a sad do-it-yourself project. Thanks for all the tips. I am excited to star the chair now. :D Looking forward to more projects.

[@JamiRayVintage]

pinktoonsis oh yay. Glad I could help. I love showing people simple ways to make their home beautiful.

[@3rscrafting]

Great video, thank you. I do mixed media crafting, and here's a trick I came up with, but it's not rocket science, I'm positive I'm not the only one. Depending on the medium, you're using fabric ... oh, I live in the hot and humid south, and hot glue melts ... for fabric, I use an acrylic fabric glue, like fabritac, but because it takes awhile to dry, I'll attach it on with hot glue. If it's another medium ... Like gluing a half pearl to metal .. I'll use ez600 and hot glue. One of my favorite things to do is I collect sea shells in thrift stores, dollar tree, ebay, etc, and when I have enough, I'll make a wreath, with heavy duty chip board as a backing, and use the ez6000 and hot glue, let it dry 48 hours. Then seal with epoxy. It looks so cool. Sorry to prattle on, but it's really a good tip. I subbed. Look forward to seeing more. Patricia

[@ZzZ-sk5sh]

Thank you guys for this simple to do vid ... I been looking to reupholstering this beautiful antique sofa set large sofa , love seated and chair ..at a thrift shop ... But all businesses that does are not near my area or state at all so I been thinking of trying to do it myself...wasn't sure .. I do my own sawing but I was afraid of where and how to start...Now I know 😊 ty again!

[@commonwealpanther]

The coffee sacks are a stroke of genius! Thanks for sharing.

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks! I love them.

[@angeliquemaez5569]

I found your channel today and have been watching it while doing things around the house. Now I’m dying to hurry up and finish my house chores so I can go to my fav thrift store and find something to paint. Hoping I find something good because I’m dying to do ANYTHING after your videos 😂😂

[@JamiRayVintage]

Sounds like fun to me! ❤️❤️

[@diyamerican]

Great idea! I love the coffee bag siding. Very creative.

[@JamiRayVintage]

CAmericaProjects.com thanks!! Me too.

[@thomasjayz5435]

Hey, I enjoyed your video. I actually own a pre owned furniture store here in North Carolina. I had been considering trying this but didn't think I could. You truly made it simple and now I feel like I can. My question is, how long did it take to accomplish this?

[@JamiRayVintage]

thomas jayz I can do a couch in an afternoon after it's ripped apart and all the staples are out. I think it's harder to strip it down than to put it back together. If my kids are bugging me it takes longer :)

[@mebasil7721]

this cut as you go always amazes me.

[@JamiRayVintage]

M E Basil it's just the way my brain works.

[@roytrust]

Wonderful work!! So beautiful!!!!! I love it~

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks for watching!! It was a fun project.

[@carolvanleer3386]

Amazing and awesome results.

[@tracywheeler1227]

Soo Awesome Jami !! You truly are a Jack of all Trades, or should I say Jill...

[@karinvail]

just curious why you chose to use quilting cotton instead of upholstery cotton? Upholstery cotton is cheaper and much fluffier and easier to work with.

[@kellystorm6760]

Wow , I had to tell you that it looks amazing, you have totally inspired me and I wanted to thank you so much. 💗💗💗

[@saltlifegull4091]

Wow, you make that look so easy. Outstanding video and really appreciate you sharing your talent. Good tip about the foam. Where do you buy the brads? Your friend from Florida.

[@nroks213]

Um.. you did that!!! Im in love with that couch...

[@lblincoe2094]

Beautiful job! I remember being so intimidated by my first reupholster job, but I found it to be much less complicated than one would think! Just a tip of you ever try to tackle another, you see the puckering along the top and bottom of your seat back? You can avoid that if you start stapling from the center and work your way outward, instead of moving left to right. I learned that upholstering a headboard AFTER I'd already done my couch. Whoops! 😉

[@dawnmarieheaton0614]

Thanks for the tip!!!

[@baljeet50]

very beautiful i wish you were in the UK I would have hired you to do my french settee set..loved it

[@Whiteshadow1967]

`Love the couch! Keep up the good work.

[@stellahjohnson2751]

hello, can you tell me where i can buy tufts?....not sure if the ones on my couch can be reused?...thanks for your help!

[@toniaweber2689]

I have this exact couch, in original form and condition!! Been trying to decide what to do with it for years!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Fun!

[@jcrefasi1]

Tonia Weber. I inherited the same sofa and matching chair from my mom. It was purchased in 1966 and reupholstered in 1986. The material on the chair is very worn but the sofa material is in good condition just soiled. I want to paint the sofa but will have to re-cover the chair. This convinced me to try it!!!

[@heathersellens7871]

Me too, Tonia!

[@x0x0BRANDYYBABYYx0x0]

The burlap is genius & looks so good! How much do you charge to reupholster a couch like this?

[@hayleyzurb]

it turned out beautiful

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks!!

[@simpleme5719]

When I redo a chair I found, I'm watching this video. You give me hope,Great Work...

[@JamiRayVintage]

Good luck :) I love upholstery

[@elenalatici9568]

I think your amazing! Where did you learn all of this? I was going to make slip covers for $10 thrifted easy chair, but there's a lot of wood showing, so now, thanks to you jamiraygenius, I'm going to upholster it with antique hemp cloth!

[@vicky5171]

Awesome thanks for sharing you make look so easy! 😋👍 I'm getting up the courage to reupholster my couch!!

[@constancebahm1014]

Great tutorial. One question for an average size couch how much fabric do you usually need?

[@blumenaue7590]

Constance Bahm 10-12 yards minimum. With no pattern to match.

[@mollyowen7453]

Hello! Your video is so easy to follow and very helpful. I’ve probably watched it at least 10 times haha. It inspired me to buy a 1940s Queen Anne Sofa to reupholster ☺️ I’ve been looking for brads for the tufting in my couch and can’t find them anywhere. Where do you get yours? What can I look up to find them? Thanks again for this video!

[@lizlund7091]

I love this! great job!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks!

[@Cece-lb7nc]

Great video I'm looking to do something similar, what were those button u used with the backs u can split open ? I need them badly. Please respond

[@JamiRayVintage]

Suga Rush I ordered them from a local friend but you should be able to get them from your local upholstery store. Just call and ask. Usually you take them fabric and they make them

[@kristinalowe8627]

Holy cow!! Wonderful job!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@katama68]

GREAT tutorial! Thanks so very much - it was quite helpful.

[@JamiRayVintage]

hi there thanks for watching!!

[@anastasiaremmes6601]

I think we could become good friends! Great job! I am learning so much from you!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Sounds good to me! ❤️

[@ccjdis]

you are fearless when facing hard work. congrats.

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@physicaltech12]

Do you have a video of the makeover of the white chair with dark color flower fabric that is seen at the18:55 min part of your video? I have one that looks mostly the same and I want to redo it.

[@1ycj]

Hi, I️ wanted to ask when purchasing the air compressor staple gun do I️ have to purchase the actual compressor separate from the gun? Idk it’s my first time with these items! Thx

[@JamiRayVintage]

1ycj yes, they are two separate items. Most hardwares stores can help you find what you need to make the staple gun work. I recommend and 18 gauge staple/nail gun. You’ll probably need a hose and connection fittings as well.

[@Soulfullyalignedyou]

I'm curious about how you did the wood trim on the couch? I see that it was light when you started then dark. Did you use a stain, milk paint or chalk paint for it?

[@JamiRayVintage]

I painted the trim with Fairy Chalk Mother paint in Gunmetal. I sell it on my website if you’re interested in the color. 👍 jamirayvintage.com/products/gun-metal-fairy-chalk-mother-chalky-finish-paint-32oz

[@Sherirose1]

I love the butter colour. very well done.

[@JamiRayVintage]

Sheri Dildar thanks!!

[@lionheart6848]

Good job i maybe wanna try this once because of this video thank you so much for sharing greetings from germany Holland and kosovo

[@spicyingrid1]

You did a great job thanks🤗

[@lindas.3791]

If you wanted to remove the bottom fabric. Would you just use the same kind of foam?

[@JamiRayVintage]

Yes. Sometimes I get thinner foam because it’s easier to trim and put where I need it but the thicker foam cuts down easy enough if that’s what you have.

[@PM_Nunya_Bidness]

Looks awesome! How do you identify period and style of furniture? Whats your go to guide?

[@JamiRayVintage]

I look under the hood on how it’s constructed. I’m looking for mortise and tenon joints, hand cut dovetails, slotted screws, hand forged or square head nails. Things like that.

[@PM_Nunya_Bidness]

Gotcha! Makes sense! Based on the design(I ask because my grandma has a couch just like it!), what style is the couch in the video? Example, is it like Victorian, Art Nouveau, Traditional Revival....etc.

[@nancyleekiwime]

Where do you purchase the button brackets??

[@zacharyblizzard5038]

Thanks for the video! Where on this planet may I be able to find those tufting brads! I've looked everywhere online and it seems the only supplier is "Dyna-Line" with a $150 minimum.

[@JamiRayVintage]

I have a friend that does a lot of upholstery that makes them for me. I think she spent about $200.00 on her machine but that was a long time ago. I’d ask around on Facebook, maybe try local upholstery shops. Things like that.

[@claudetteb5019]

You’re the best. I have the exact sofa to diy. Thank you. How many metres fabric require ?

[@JamiRayVintage]

I used 6x9’ painters drop cloth and some old grain sacks on mine so I’m not exactly sure on how much fabric. I would guess 4-5 meters of fabric

[@claudetteb5019]

I thank you so much Jami

[@beverlymcdonald6171]

I like to make some cushions for my Queen Anne chair, loveseat, and couch. Could you give me some ideas?

[@verahicks7561]

####

[@xariasofi5961]

How much fabric did you buy or how did you calculate how much you’d need?

[@carole2270]

Wow. Great job!! What type of fabric did you use? I'm planning to do my sofa but fabric are so expensive. O was thinking about getting good quality window curtains and I'm not plan9on removing the old fabric just cover. Fabric is is in great shape just don't like the color anymore. What do you think? Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@JamiRayVintage]

Sounds like a fun project to me! The fabric I used was painters drop cloth from Walmart and old grain sacks on the arms of the chairs

[@carole2270]

Jami Ray Vintage thank you

[@dianaquezada8099]

Quick question how did you do the seat cushions? I have the same couch, and how much fabric did you use?

[@JamiRayVintage]

I used 2 8x10’ drop cloth’s and the seat cushions I hired out. I don’t sew that well.

[@SurfTheStreets01]

Where do you get these “tuft” things, the pins/buttons?

[@sabrinatscha2554]

You can buy a kit at just about any craft or fabric store and you make them yourself using the same fabric. Just look for ‘self-covered buttons’. Greetings from the world of tomorrow

[@SurfTheStreets01]

@@sabrinatscha2554 yo this was 3 years ago, I think I figured it out lol

[@JamiRayVintage]

Haha, never saw this notification. Love the follow up ❤️❤️

[@carolyngreen9238]

You did a Beautiful Job

[@hawklady0911]

Great video! I have a similar couch to do...picking the fabric seems to be my only frustration....hard to choose...

[@JamiRayVintage]

Trace Hall I totally agree. It something you will live with so you have to love it!

[@CorexD13]

@@JamiRayVintage Where do you get your fabric from?? I'm having the hardest time trying to find good material! I'm looking for a velvet or crushed velvet of some type. Also what kind of nail gun?? Tips are appreciated! This video is amazing!

[@JamiRayVintage]

I’ve been using a lot of drop cloth and vintage grain sacks for upholstery lately. But typically I just hit up the duck cloth at hobby lobby or michaels be ease they’re both close to me

[@NikkiaCarrieBradshaw]

Hey Jamie! Love the outcome. I have the exact same couch w/ the matching love seat and I want to re upholster it as well. My question is how much fabric, & batten did u use? like 5 yrds for fabric , a roll of batten?, that's what I mean. Thx!

[@JamiRayVintage]

A couch is about 10 yards. And I did a few rolls of batting. Honestly I don’t really know since I used drop cloths I just bought some and hoped it was enough 😂. But I bet if you google it there is a website with average amounts of fabric needed for certain projects. I could guess but I don’t want to lead you astray.

[@NikkiaCarrieBradshaw]

that's right, u did say u used drop cloths!! I like that better. thx for the reply!

[@Poppitywoo]

Just wondering, about much fabric did you need to reupholster this couch?

[@thomasjayz5435]

Did you use foam for the back? Sorry for all the questions, I'm very serious about doing this.

[@JamiRayVintage]

thomas jayz yes. The foam is from Home Depot. People use it to camp with

[@erinfritz8081]

How much fabric did it take to do this couch?

[@lauraschlegel7725]

What batting did you get?? And What kind of foam?

[@cristinaochoa3609]

Would the drop cloth work for any type of couch or just this particular style?

[@JamiRayVintage]

I’ve used it for all sorts of things, from Queen Anne chairs to sofas to recliners.

[@skenney8325]

Is that a drop cloth? What weight of drop cloth do you recommend? Heavy or medium? I would think heavy would be difficult to put through the machine.

[@JamiRayVintage]

SKenneyGIrl I like medium, heavy is too hard.

[@skenney8325]

Jami Ray Vintage Lol, glad you said that! That is what I bought. Thanks again!

[@summermucha5207]

How many hours did this take you to complete?

[@RachelStrickland]

goodness I love this turorial! you're making this look super easy! I have two chairs to redo for the heads of my table. did I hear you correct that these were just drop cloths?

[@JamiRayVintage]

Rachel Strickland yes just drop cloth. It's inexpensive and durable.

[@RachelStrickland]

Wow. Phenomenal idea!

[@janes111]

Do you get all your drop cloths from Walmart? I have bought some from either Lowes or HD and they were pieces together and I notice all yours are a solid piece.

[@JamiRayVintage]

It might. If it gets the little balls on it I use a sweater chaser and it zips them right off.

[@connieschantz860]

Can I ask what you bought the couch for and sold it for? Amazing work I loved it wish you were in Pa. I would be your best customer!

[@JamiRayVintage]

It was $50.00

[@antidotetochaoschats]

Jami Ray Vintage and what did you sell it for?

[@Mp-fk5hp]

@@antidotetochaoschats how much is it worth to you? I would pay up to $700

[@nancyleekiwime]

I just bought a vintage sofa at Goodwill for $10.60...Scranton, PA

[@amandalamb9416]

I got that exact couch free almost brand new!

[@NaturalMarieMoon777]

Great Job ! Beautiful!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks!!

[@NaturalMarieMoon777]

Your welcome:)

[@morewithmarianna]

Hi, I am looking to do this with a couch, what was the name/color/type of fabric you bought and where did you buy it? How long/ how many pieces? Please! Thank you!

[@JamiRayVintage]

The sides are antique grain sacks, I used 2. The back a cushions are painters drop cloth from Walmart. I think it took 3 6x9’ drop cloths. They run about $10.00 each.

[@XxDarkRaverxX]

Thanks for a great tutorial. It was really informative. I really don't understand the fascination with using sub-par fabrics, though. It would have looked so much better if it were upholstered nicely all the way around with a nice fabric. Just my thoughts. :)

[@sabrinatscha2554]

Agreed. But that is probably because he is reupholstering it in order to sell it. If you were planning on keeping it yourself definitely don’t skimp on fabric

[@thuh8332]

Hello Jamie. I am new at reupholstering. I just picked up a Rococo style wood couch and chair from an alleyway that had been dumped there. It says it was covered in Denver. I dont know how old it is but so far removing the staples has been so hard. They are tiny about 1 cm staples. I tried to buy a staple remover tool and had minor success removing the staples. Does your husband use any specific tool that would make this easier? There are hundreds, easily thousands of staples! I'm losing steam and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Sadly this is the hardest part. We use needle nose pliers and small screw drivers. Zeb makes sure to wear gloves to keep his hands from getting scraped up. Also, if the staple isn't poking up or in the way we don't always remove it.

[@sydney8817]

which foam from home depot did you use?

[@romancerelics]

where did you get the drop cloth? also did you wash them first?

[@JamiRayVintage]

It’s from Walmart and I wash them first. 😊

[@ayannaswan2010]

Love this!

[@jeangray6863]

Amazing, Amazing 👏 😍 ❤️ 🙌 💖 ♥️

[@santabracero3558]

Beautiful !!

[@mariejalexandre4310]

Where did you get the Brad buttons for furniture??

[@JamiRayVintage]

My neighbor had a machine to make them. She no longer does it though. Best suggestion is to ask around on Facebook pages if you need some. Someone will know where you o find them in your area. 👍

[@skenney8325]

Did I miss you say where you got those button/brads? You cover those yourself, right? Where did you get the coffee sacks? That turned out tooooo cute!

[@JamiRayVintage]

SKennedy my friend Cathy makes them. Her FB page is, We Make it Do. She is kinda out of the furniture biz now but I bet she could cover them for you: or contact a local upholstery shop

[@SilentNoMor]

Hi, I hope that you see my comment as I know this video is older. Do you happen to have a project list of materials? I'm doing the same couch and I'm afraid of ordering more fabric/batting than I need to!

[@katietourney5876]

What did u use for fabric?

[@porschehamilton9717]

where did you get those brads/braggs(sp) fr om

[@diaryofawimpygus9068]

Where did you find the giant buttons with brads?? I’ve been looking everywhere and can’t find any!

[@joshpete5842]

I'm wondering the same thing. Wish they had links to source the supplies.

[@JamiRayVintage]

@@joshpete5842 at the time we had a neighbor with a brad maker that could take any scrap fabric I had and make them. I don’t have links to the machine sadly snd she’s not making them anymore

[@deannagonzales2784]

They sale a tool for taking out old staples and nails. It's a lot like a small hand held crow bar it is way easier then trying to grab at fabric with pliers. It get the fabric off in one piece and you can use the old fabric as a pattern if you need one

[@elleoftwocities]

Jami, how much did you spend on the drop cloth? I love the look, and I'm prepping for a couch reno and need to decide if buying fabric is worth the cost

[@JamiRayVintage]

ElleofTwoCities usually takes 2-3 and they are $10-$20. Super inexpensive.

[@elleoftwocities]

THANKS!

[@janetholmes3167]

Great video! Thanks!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Janet Holmes thanks ❤️💕❤️

[@bobbierankin517]

What kind of fabric r u using???

[@summertime8879]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you!

[@viktorbrmz9591]

Awesome! beautiful!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Viktor Bermz thanks

[@happystar7777]

Omg this looked really intimidating, but not nearly as intimidating as I had imagined. I wonder if I have to take off the old fabric? My couch isn’t vintage, but the bones are really cool. It’s rattan and has neat sides. I can’t part with it but the fabric is all rough from a dog.

[@JamiRayVintage]

Just depends on what shape the fabric is in. Most of the couches we get are not in good chair at all so we usually just scrap the fabric and sometimes the foam.

[@huseyinurekkralkoltuktasarm]

hello sir, do you need a seat upholstery master?

[@TheYayaNet]

Great job!

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you!

[@Wildsbleu]

How much did it cost to do this? Break down by item please if someone knows.

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thank you for this reply! I missed this comment when it was initially published. 😞

[@MyKitchenCorner]

JAMI RAY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL............

[@JamiRayVintage]

Thanks!! It was so fun.

[@lindachow4254]

How much fabric did you use?

[@cinderellagotherprince242]

I love it

[@ingerwilliams2974]

My Dad paid $1200 for a similar couch and chair to be covered I love the drop cloth look & feel

[@JamiRayVintage]

Inger Williams thanks!!

[@mariacabigting7623]

Hi Jami, where do you buy the fabrics you use on this project

[@JamiRayVintage]

It’s drop cloth from Walmart.

[@jenniferjackson9464]

Have old couch want to try it woods in good shape you make it look easy but will see it old couch from 50sno arm to deal with back top has place to put candles or. A drink

[@ravendelafleur2999]

How much fabric would you say you would need to buy for a project like this?

[@JamiRayVintage]

8-10 yards.

[@onewingace]

Anyone know what brand these couches are?