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Restoration

Step by step photos and direction of how we restored this antique sofa from the frame up.

Step 1. Remove all fabric, foam and springs. Make sure to remove all nails and staples. Inspect the frame for loose legs or broken supports. Make any frame repairs before you start the re-spring process.

Step 2. We chose elastic webbing  for the back support. Attach vertically first, from top to bottom. Use a webbing stretcher to pull it taught. It should sound like a drum if you flick it.

Step 3. Attach more webbing horizontally. Weaving it thru the vertical webbing. Attach webbing at least 1/2" from exposed wood trim.

step 4. Measure the length of the frame. Make sure to  evenly space G clips. They should not be more than 4" apart. Drill pilot holes for the screws, attach G clips to the back of frame. Seat the Zig zag springs in to  the G clip. Hammer  top down use a screw to secure. Attach all the springs to the back of seat frame first. Attach G clips to the front of the frame. Make sure they are directly across from the rear G Clips. Use a yard stick to make sure they line up exactely.

G Clip

Webbing stretcher

You will need G clips, elastic webbing, 5 yards of upholstery muslin, 2 yards of broad cloth, screws, spring twine, upholstery tack nails, 3-4" thick foam and springs. Measure from the back of the frame to the front of the frame to determine what size springs you will need for the seat. Pre cut springs can be ordered online.

Step 5. Very carefully pull the spring from the unattached end to uncoil it. Use both hands, make sure you have a firm grip. It is easy to injure your self, damage your floor or the furniture if you lose your grip on the spring. Have someone help you if you find it to be too difficult. Pull the spring and hook into the front G clip. Hammer down and secure with two  screws. Don't forget to drill pilot holes for the screws. Only uncoil 1 or 2 springs at this point.

Step 6

STEP 5

Step 6. Add a support to the frame the length of the couch. Also  add two smaller supports under the long support. This so that your springs will not over extend and break. You should leave  3"-4" space between the bottom of the springs and the support. Attach  foam to the top of the support. After the support is in place. Uncoil the rest of the springs and secure in G clips. If you want to refinish the frame. Do so after you have installed all the springs.

 

Muslin strip

Step7. Cut 1.5" thick strips of muslin fold raw edges in so that you have 3 layers. Use strips of muslin to hold foam in place. Staple muslin strips from the bottom  attach to  new support.

Step 8. Hammer two upholstery tack nail in the side frame 4" from the back frame.  Dont' hammer all the way down. Cut 4.5 yards of spring twine fold in half, make a double loop with the spring twine. Loop over the two nails pull tight and hammer the rest of the way to secure. Tie one thickness of  spring twine across the springs from one side to the other.

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Shaping the Couch

Step 9 Cover the arms with rubberized horse/hog hair. staple along the bottom and under the arm frame as far in as possible. Don't staple to close to the outer edge.

Step 10 Cover the arm with 3 layers of dacron. use spray adhesive  to attach each layer. Place first and second piece of dacron next to edge roll. Make sure the last layer of dacron over hangs the edge roll of the arm by 1".

Cut here

Don't staple here

 Step 11 Cut one yard of broad cloth. Lay over the arm you should have excess on all sides. Use your hand to find the front frame of the arm cut in a few inches and pull to the other side. Pull tight, staple to the bottom of the arm frame. Do not staple to the seat frame.

Don't staple the back leave open

Step 12 Staple the broad cloth from the back towards the front of the arm. Use your hand to  smooth the fabric over the arm and pull tight. Staple under the arm frame. Staple every 1" or 1.5" Do not leave wrinkles Make sure fabric is smooth. Do not close off the back leave unstapled.

Step 13 Pull the fabric tight. Use your hand to smooth the fabric staple once it smooth.  Staple from the bottom around the rooled arm. Trim off the excess on the front only.

Don't staple the back

Step 9. Lay upholstery muslin over tied springs. Staple along the front, avoiding the springs and G clips.  Pull through the back, pull tight staple down then staple the sides. Trim the excess off. Cover the elastic webbing the same way.

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