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Many upholstery fabrics have a nap or pile, which means that the fabric has a plush, raised or textured surface. Velvet and corduroy are examples of fabrics that have nap. To determine if the fabric has a nap, run your hand down the fabric in one direction as if you are petting a cat. When you go one way, the fabric will feel smooth. When you come back in the opposite direction, the nap will come up--you will feel some resistance and it will feel as if you are petting the cat's fur the wrong way. Determining if the fabric has a nap is very important. How the fabric is laid out affects not only the feel but also the look of the finished project. When the nap is lying flat, the fabric looks smooth and shiny. When it is facing the opposite direction, light catches the fibers differently; two fabric pieces placed side by side will actually appear to be different colors. Always lay out pattern pieces on napped fabric in the same direction.
Upholstery fabric also often has a one-way or repeated design. This could include simple, closely spaced stripes or more complex designs such as a large flower flanked by a set of wide stripes, with the floral pattern repeated every foot or so along the length of the fabric. When purchasing upholstery fabric that has a large repeated pattern, determine where you want the pattern to appear on the furniture and be aware that you will need to purchase extra yardage to allow for matching the pattern pieces and for waste. -
Use sharp, good-quality shears to cut your upholstery fabric. This will make the task of cutting the heavy fabric much easier. A 7-inch or 8-inch, full-size shears is best. Shears with a bent handle allow you to cut the fabric cleanly and accurately, as the material does not lift up off the table with each cut.
Use a standard-point needle for woven fabrics or a universal needle in your sewing machine. Use a size 14 for medium-weight fabrics such as silk, shantung, linen and chenille. For heavier upholstery fabrics such as velvet, canvas and embossed jacquards, use a size 16 needle. If the upholstery fabric has an attached, nonslip backing, a size 18 needle might be called for.
For most upholstery projects, a general-purpose, cotton-covered polyester thread will be sufficient. If the item you are upholstering will receive very heavy use, consider using an extra-strong, 100-percent nylon upholstery thread. If you use a heavyweight thread, be sure to use the same weight in both the upper part of your sewing machine and the bobbin to ensure even tension. Heavy thread requires the use of a size 18 needle and a long stitch length.
