How to Stretch an Upholstery Fabric

Wash your upholstery fabric on high heat in your washer. If fabric is a large size, and will not fit properly in the washer, you can soak it in hot water for 45 minutes. Just keep the water very hot and constantly refill the tub with fresh hot water or pour in boiling water to keep it hot.

Lay fabric out on a large flat surface and take a weight, or other heavy object, and place it on one end of your fabric.

Stretch out the fabric as much as you can across the flat surface, then place your other weight on the other end. Your fabric should now be stretched out with the two weights holding it in place.

Let fabric dry, depending on the size and type of fabric drying time will vary. After it's dry to the touch, let fabric sit for another couple of hours, then remove. It should be stretched out at this point.