Upholstery Repair: How to Sew a Ripped Seam

The most commonupholstery repairis fixing a frayed or pulled-apart seam. Frayed seam damage usually occurs over time due to natural wear and tear. We usually only think of fixing torn upholstery after we are tired of looking at it. The good news for DIYers is that you can fix frayed or pulled-apart seams without taking apart the piece of furniture.

No one in their right mind would throw away an expensive piece of furniture with a frayed edge or seam on anupholstered cushion. But upholsterers want a pretty penny for a repair, which can make the task seem intimidating.

The truth is that taking on this repair job will ultimately cost you more in time than money. It is not a complicated fix, but it does require patience and attention to detail. Upholstery repair is not a project you want to take on while feeling rushed or if you’re having a hard time focusing. But if you have the patience, I truly believe anyone willing to wield a needle and thread can be successful with this DIY fix.

Prep the seam

Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end. Prep the rip by doing a back stitch on one side of the open seam, going all the way from one end of the damage to the other. This will prevent the seam from fraying further and strengthen the repair. Prepping the seam is particularly helpful when you have a wide weave with threads that easily come apart.