When you have an ottoman that has been with the family for a few years, it surely has already been subjected to wear and tear. The padded and upholstered piece of home furniture that has served as a footstool or a small sofa may need some repair.
In this article, we’ll look at a few ways on how to fix a ripped ottoman. Depending on the size and location of the tear, there are ways on how to transform torn, outdated, raggedy upholstery into something new and current. Before we get started on repairing your ottoman, you will need a few things.
Things You Need To Repair Upholstery
Most of these items are already found in your own home. While some you need to purchase at a local fabric or hardware store.
- A pair of scissors
- Pencil and paper
- Spoon
- Nylon thread
- Heavy-duty fabric of your choice
- Upholstery pins
- Small paintbrush
- Fabric glue (latex)
- Liquid seam sealant
- Curved upholstery needle or mattress needle
Ottoman Patchwork
If you find a small rip on your ottoman, it may just need some glue and a small patch. We’ll show you how to fix a ripped ottoman with the patch method. Patches are perfect for repairing holes in any upholstery. The patch method is effective when only a small part of the ottoman needs to be covered. This same method is also ideal for learning how to repair a ripped couch or sofa.
What to do:
- Prepare your fabric. It is preferred to find a fabric that is the same as the ottoman. If you are unable to find the same color, it is wise to find something closest to the ottoman’s but should be the same type of fabric, so it doesn’t look off.
- Using a piece of paper and pencil, measure the tear and make a square around the area.
- Make the paper slightly larger than the tear in the upholstery. A good allowance is an inch to two inches.
- Take your measures from the paper and transfer it onto the heavy-duty fabric and make the patch from it.
- You will need to cut a square piece of heavy-duty fabric to use as a patch.
- Gently peel back the torn upholstery, then place the fabric patch underneath it.
- Using the handle of a spoon, you will need to smooth out the patch, so it lays flat.
- Hold back the flap and use an upholstery pin to pin it in place.
- Next, paste a thin layer of latex fabric glue with a brush. Apply glue to the edges of the ripped ottoman upholstery.
- Remove the upholstery pin and press the flap down over the patch gently. Smooth out the fabric.
- Insert additional pins along the edges of the tear to hold the fabric together while the glue dries.
- After a few hours, remove the pins.
- Smooth out the fabric and give the area some time to dry and breathe.
Sewing An Ottoman
If patchwork is not ideal for a particular tear, such as a ripped edge, it is best to sew it back together. The sewing method is ideal for small tears that are starting to fray. Knowing how to fix a ripped ottoman with a curved upholstery needle and a nylon thread will need a bit of patience, especially if the upholstery fabric is unyielding.
What to do:
- Inspect the tear and look for frays. If the frays are too spread out, you can cut lengthy threads that are jutting out.
- Next, coat the edges with a thin layer of liquid seam sealant.
- Allow the edges to dry. By doing so, the frays will not worsen when working with it later on.
- When the edges are dry enough, fold them under and press the folds with your fingers firmly. If an edge is too frayed from the beginning, fold the frayed part under as far as possible. You will need to sew on the folded edge that is far away from the frayed edge. Sewing too near a frayed edge may cause more damage.
- Prepare your curved upholstery needle and nylon thread. It is ideal to use a thread similar to or close to the upholstery color.
- Thread the needle with a nylon thread. Carefully learning how to fix a ripped ottoman using the sewing method will take a little bit of strength if the fabric is tough to stretch. You can ask a helping hand as necessary to pinch the edges while you sew.
- When you’re ready to sew, pinch the edges of the tear together and sew on one end.
- Weave the needle by making small, tight stitches along the tear. Remember to keep the edges of the tear folded under as you sew.
- Continue sewing until you reach the end of the tear and until the old seam joins the new one.
- When you have reached the end, make a loop and pass the needle through it twice. Pull the thread tightly to knot it.
- As a good measure, make small stitches over the knot so it will not come loose.
Knowing how to fix a ripped ottoman using the sewing method will take a bit more work than the patch method. But if sewn correctly, it can last a long time. Nevertheless, be sure to avoid heavy use and traffic on the area to prevent it from ripping further.
Conclusion
Knowing how to fix a ripped ottoman using the sewing method and patch method can save you from an expensive trip to the furniture store. By learning how to fix upholstery tear that doesn’t need a full overhaul or total upholstery, you will be able to save your favorite ottoman and a few other furniture that require a similar fabric repair. The next time you see a small tear, you already know what to do! Find out more about ottomans.