Upholstery Repair: How to Sew a Ripped Seam

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.

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Thread the needle

Professional upholsterers use curved needles for this repair, which are inexpensive and highly efficient. Thread a curved needle and place a knot at the end. Do not double up the thread as it tends to knot up and will be difficult to cut out if you need to re-do any sections. This is also why I specifically use upholstery thread.

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Start the ladder stitch

Insert the needle through the ripped seam and bury the knot inside it about a 1/2 inch from where it’s starting to open. If possible, come up through an existing stitch hole in the seam where the thread is still intact. This may be easier to see in a thicker, stiffer material. 

If the stitch holes are not visible, try to space your stitching the same distance as the original. If the material is too stiff, you may need to use needle nose pliers or a thimble to help push the needle through. Avoid forcing the needle so it doesn’t break below the surface of the fabric.

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Stitch to the other side of the seam

Direct your needle across the seam, threading into the part that has already been backstitched. Try to push the needle directly into the stitch hole opposite the one you started with. Guide the needle parallel along the seam and up through the next stitch hole.

Jump back across to the other side of the seam and again push through the next stitch holes, leaving the thread loose. Be sure not to pull or cinch the stitch too tightly.

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Repeat the stitch back and forth

Repeat stitching back and forth in a zig-zag pattern across the seam. Go a few stitches beyond the fray and end with the thread hanging out to ensure the new stitches are locked into the original seam and don’t pull out or separate again.

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Cinch the thread

Cinch or pull the thread from the starting point. This will require a gentle touch and may take a few tugs to until it is tight enough to make the seam come together and have the thread disappear.

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Knot the end of your stitch

Once the seam is fully stitched and the seam has been cinched together, tie a knot in your thread and cut. Re-thread your needle into the knot pulling it back into the seam and stitch to hide the knot. Bring your needle back out of the seam further down so it doesn’t easily find its way out and is a bit separated from the knot. The whole trick to this stitch is to hide the work. This includes the knot and the very end of the thread.

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FAQs

Do I need a curved upholstery needle to repair a seam in furniture?

Not necessarily. A curved needle will make the process easier, though — especially if it is a thicker material such as leather. However, the task of repairing a seam in old furniture can be accomplished with a straight needle. I would strongly recommend using an upholstery needle as it is thicker and less likely to break, making it safer to manage.

What is in an upholstery repair kit?

The contents of these kits vary. However, you will find the following furniture reupholstery items in most kits:

• Variety of colored upholstery thread cord (thicker than common thread);
• Thicker and longer straight sewing needles;
• Thicker curved sewing needles;
• A sewing awl;
• A hook awl;
• A fabric tape measure;
• A sewing thimble;
• A needle bottle to house straight needles;
• A seam ripper.

Q: Does the same upholstery repair technique work for leather and fabric? Cars, chairs and sofas?

The combination of a back stitch and ladder stitch should work for most seams in upholstery. Take into consideration the weave of the material, how flexible is the material and if you care about hiding the stitch or allowing it to be seen. Do a test run if you can, and be prepared to cut your stitches out and start again if you aren’t happy with the finished product. The beautiful thing about fabric is you can undo the work and try again.