DIY Upholstery

Want to try your hand at reupholstering? You don’t need a lot to start, nothing fancy at least, but you can certainly get some nicer tools if this isn’t a one-and-done deal. I’ll link all the necessary tools you’ll need in this post and the steps to help get you started.

What you’ll need:

TOOLSGOODBETTERBEST
Staple RemoverCS OSBORNCS OSBORNBANTAM
(requires air compressor)
Fabric ScissorsLIVINGO 8″Gingher 8″
Air Compressor
(optional)
CRAFTSMAN 6 GALSTEALTH 20 Gal
Dacron/BattingAK TRADINGSOFT & CRAFTY
FoamAK TRADINGAIRTEX
Air Stapler
(for air compressor)
SUREBONDERFASCO FASCO
Non Air StaplerDRITZAECCN
Flex Tape MeasureFEELOVEPRYM DRITZUXCELL
White ChalkCRAYOLAPEPPERELL
PliersNORTOOLSCRAFTSMAN
Acrylic RulerFISKARS
Cutting MatFISKARS 18″x24″FISKARS 24″x36″U.S. ART SUPPLY 36″x48″
PinsDRITZ
Hot Glue GunADTECHADTECH
Sewing MachineSINGERJANOMECONSEW Ind. Machine
FabricJoAnn Fabrics are not made to not last on furniture. <– If you know, you know.Only the BEST
Dust ClothDRITZ
TOOLSGOODBETTERBEST
Depending on the type of project you’re tackling, you may need different tools. This list is based geared toward a dining room chair set, ottoman, or other simple furniture.

FIRST (this is so important!)

Take photos of your project from every angle so when it’s all torn apart, you know what it’s supposed to look like when it goes back together.

NEXT

-Begin by taking out the staples and removing the fabric one section at a time.
*Save the old fabric as a template for cutting your new fabric – though it may not be exact if the old fabric is stretched out*
-With a Sharpie, on the inside of the old fabric, label where that fabric sat on the furniture with arrows and labels for up/down/left/right. The key is to make sure if you leave and come back later, you know exactly where you left off.

THEN

Measure your piece where you’re putting the fabric and add a couple inches that you can trim off after it’s stapled. Bring those measurements to your fabric and on the backside of your new fabric, use your chalk pencil & acrylic ruler to make your cut marks. Re-measure to be sure, and when you’re ready, take your fabric scissors and make your cut.

IF

If your project needs new foam, remove the old foam and cut your new piece to size. A nice layer of batting/dacron over the foam makes for a soft transition. If you have heavy duty adhesive spray, adhere your dacron to your foam so it doesn’t move around or bunch up over time.

ADD

Lay your fabric on your piece and staple starting in the middle of each section and working your way to the corners. Pull snug, but not tight as you don’t want to distort your fabric.

FINISH

Once your fabric is on nicely, take your dust cloth, measure, and cut it a little bigger than the space you need it to sit, and then fold the raw edges under and staple.

VOILA!

Here’s a great follow along book if you’re feeling overwhelmed…
The Beginner’s Guide to Upholstery

Or if you’d like a bigger challenge…
Professional Upholstering: All the Trade Secrets

Request a Quote

Step 1 of 4

Welcome

Welcome

Look around to find answers to commonly asked questions.

Click here to visit our Facebook page!

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**At this time, we are not accepting car or truck seats. However, if you have a project that you are having a hard time getting done, you can certainly call us, and maybe we can find a solution for you. We do not do zipper repairs**

Start Planning Your Next Project

When I come to do a consultation, I will bring fabric books for you to look through, but if you would like to browse the online catalog, you can find the link below.

COST:

Fabric ranges from $50-$150 per yard.

If you provide your own fabric, there is an up-charge of $30/yd as we are no longer making the commission on selling you our fabric.

Things to consider when choosing fabric:

  • What room is this piece in, and is it an active or quiet room?
  • Do you have kids or pets?
  • What is the color scheme in this room?
  • Is there existing furniture you’d like to try and match?
  • Are you going for casual, dressy, or in-between?
  • Do you like neutral or patterned fabric?
  • If you said patterned, do you like large print or small print?

When browsing the online catalog, you’ll want to follow some guidelines:

  • Look at the ABRASION rating or WYZENBEEK RUBS – anything over 30,000 doubles rubs is ideal for living rooms, family rooms or heavily trafficked areas. This means the fabric has been put through a machine that actually “double rubs.” The machine stops at the first sign of wear and records how many double rubs it did.
  • Look at the USAGE or APPLICATION of the material. Some material is for drapery only. You wouldn’t want to find the perfect fabric and realize it won’t be durable on your furniture.

Once you’ve found something you like….

Jot down the name of the fabric and mention it to me during our consultation so I can get it ordered for you.

If you’d like to do the reupholstery project yourself, but you want me to order the fabric for you, that’s an option as well!

Charlotte Fabric Website

Greenhouse Fabric Website

“Should I bring my own fabric?”

We are so glad you asked!

When we order fabric from our vendors, we make a commission on it (which is an industry standard). So when people bring their own fabric, we lose that commission. To replace that loss, we have a $30/yd fee.

(It’s like bringing your own eggs to a restaurant… or buying all your plants from Lowe’s and hiring a landscape crew to plant them. The industry makes money on the products they sell you before they do the work.)

It’s more cost effective for you to have us order the fabric that you’ll need. I have over 50 different fabric books that I can show you to choose your next look!

“Should I reupholster, or buy new?”

Reupholstering is most beneficial for high quality furniture that you’d like to extend the life of, family heirlooms are a great example.

Unfortunately, today’s outlet furniture is not made the way it was in the past.

The bones of high quality or older furniture will likely outlive anything that is being sold in outlet stores today, so giving it new foam, padding, and upholstery will extend the life drastically.

Buying a chair from outlet store may cost the same as reupholstering, it’s true, but outlet stores aren’t selling “high quality, last forever, pass down to your grandchildren” furniture. The upholstery wears faster, and when it does wear out in a couple years, you’re going back to the store to spend another $$$ on a new one anyway – so in the long run, reupholstering will save you money.

Whether it’s buying new or reupholstering old, we want you to make the right decision for your home and your family.

What’s the process?

You’ll start with a free design consultation and estimate in your home or office, or in our shop. We have thousands of fabric samples from most major manufacturers and distributors and will help you narrow your choice for the most attractive result.

We will pick up and deliver your furniture for FREE within Owatonna city limits and up to 10 miles surrounding, and a small fee outside that area. You’re also welcome to drop off and pick up if it’s convenient for you.

How long does it take?

The Upholstery Shop of Owatonna is open 5 days a week, so we will work diligently to get your project in and out of our shop as fast as we can while doing a good/quality job. If we move faster or slower, we will communicate that with you. See below the time frame of what we upholster:

What can you upholster?

Small Chairs: dining room chairs or chairs with single cushions = Half of a day

Medium Chairs: 2 cushions/chair with a back and a bottom = 1 day

Large Chairs: Full chair (wing or arm) = 1-2 weeks.

Couch: 3-6 weeks depending on size/difficulty.

Ottoman: 1 day

ATV: 1 day (seats must be removed from vehicle)

Snowmobile: 1-2 days (seats must be removed from vehicle)

Custom Cushions: Small, Medium, Large, X-large
Size in length:
Small: 12″-24″
Medium: 25″-36″
Large: “37-48”
X-Large: 49″+

Pillows

**At this time, we do not do zipper repairs**

Before & After

Check out our Facebook page to view our projects as we finish them.

“These were given to me by a family member, can you make them look nicer?”
-McCayla Thoe

1 of 6 chairs

You bet we can! This local Minnesota artist needed something on her dining room chairs that didn’t clash with all the art in her home, so she chose this maroon fabric. What a cute space, and beautiful art, too!

We’re a small family business who supports local businesses – so here’s a shameless plug for her beautiful artwork! Check her out on Instagram by clicking here.

Thanks for letting us tackle this project for you!

Pricing

There are 3 factors in pricing your project and we’re happy to give you a quote. Continue reading to see how we price our projects:

Materials, Labor, and Fabric.

Materials: Anything we use for your project including foam, dacron, tacks, strapping, welt, zippers, buttons, etc. (We can typically get 3-4 dining room chairs per sheet of foam)

Labor: $40/hr or standard pricing for certain projects. See below for more.

Fabric: Click HERE for information regarding fabric.

APPROX. LABOR/COST & TIMELINES:

Small Chairs: dining room chairs or chairs with single cushions = Half of a day

Medium Chairs: 2 cushions/chair with a back and a bottom = 1 day

*Large Chairs: Full chair (wing or arm) = 1-2 weeks. (Not taking currently)*

*Couch: 3-6 weeks depending on size/difficulty. (Not taking currently)*

Ottoman: 1 day

ATV: 1 day (seats must be removed from vehicle)

Snowmobile: 1-2 days (seats must be removed from vehicle)

Custom Cushions: $70 small + materials, $90 medium + materials, $120 large + materials, $140 X-large + materials.
Size in length:
Small: 12″-24″
Medium: 25″-36″
Large: “37-48”
X-Large: 49″+

Pillows: $25 each

**We’re not accepting zipper repairs at this time**
***All jobs are subject to added costs in materials***

————————————————————————————————————–

Consultation Fee: FREE

Scheduling a consultation: We will determine if we will come to your home or business or if you would like to stop into the shop that is an option as well. We will measure and provide fabric choices.

Once you have chosen your fabric, we will give you an estimate of the overall project (subject to change) and if you’re ready to move forward, you’ll put down a down payment (which is the fabric cost) to reserve your spot.

Once we have your fabric in the shop and are ready to start working on your project, you will get a call. Your final bill will consist of:
Labor + Materials + Additional Fabric needed.
You’ll pay the balance upon receiving the final product.

Delivery Fee

Outside of Owatonna city limits: $20 + $1/mile or an otherwise agreed upon amount.

Location

Our business is out of our home, so please call to make arrangements to drop off/pick up 507-444-9878.

We are located on the NE corner of Barney and Mosher

Address: 1545 Mosher Ave Owatonna, MN 55060

Contact Us

Look at our pricing page to get an idea of what your project may cost before calling/emailing.

If you know you’re ready to go forward with your project and you’d like to set up a consultation, you can call our business landline at 507-444-9878,

or email us with pictures at upholsteryshopowatonna@gmail.com.

Hours

M-F 9 A.M. – 6 P.M.
Saturday 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Sunday CLOSED

Keeping on the Tradition!

Steve, Heather, and I are so grateful to Haylee and Nick for making the transition of the business such a positive, and informative one. We have enjoyed working with you and look forward to and appreciate all of your help in the coming months.

On August 1st, 2020, Nick and Haylee purchased “Rosebrock & Sons Upholstery” and changed the name to something that suited the new ownership of this decades long, family owned business. The new name “The Upholstery Shop of Owatonna” will continue to be the name of the business, now under new ownership, and will continue to hold on to the values that were instilled in this business years before us by Steve Jessup.

All of us are are blessed and grateful that we live in and service a beautiful part of this state. Let us be a part of your journey and partner in restoring the beauty, and sustainability, to your project.