How to Hand-Tie Springs in Upholstery
If you are reupholstering a worn-out sofa or chair, it may be necessary to retie the springs. If you have removed the old cover of your piece to discover that the twine holding the springs is frayed or broken, you will need to retie the springs before you recover them. Tying the springs prevents them from shifting out of place after you recover the piece. Taking your furniture to a professional upholsterer to have the springs retied is inconvenient and expensive. You can tie the springs at home, and in the process save yourself time and money.
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Measure lengthwise across the frame. Multiply this number by two and add 12 inches. Use scissors to cut a number of lengths of spring twine equal to the number of rows of springs that run lengthwise in your piece. Repeat this process for the row of springs that runs crosswise.
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Use an upholstery hammer to drive two upholstery tacks halfway into the frame at the center of each row of springs, both lengthwise and crosswise.
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Form a clove-hitch knot at the end of one of the lengths of spring twine cut for the lengthwise springs. Loop the knot around the upholstery tacks at the end of one lengthwise row of springs. Finish driving in these tacks with an upholstery hammer.
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Pull the spring twine up from the tacks to the top of the spring. Keep the twine taut.
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Press the edge of the spring closest to the frame down to the desired height. This should be a minimum of 3 inches above the top of the frame. If the springs are still tied when you first uncover them, measure from the frame to the top of the springs, and retie the springs to this measurement.
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Tie an overhand knot on the edge of the spring with the twine.
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Draw the twine directly across the spring to the other edge. Keep the twine taut, and tie an overhand knot.
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Pull the twine from the edge of the first spring to the edge of the next spring in the row. Tie the twine to the spring with an overhand knot.
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Tie each spring in the row in this manner. Tie the twine to the tacks at the end of the row with a clove hitch knot. Drive the tacks firmly against the frame.
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Repeat this process for each row lengthwise and then crosswise.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Based in Texas, Melanie Haas began writing professionally in 2006, with her short fiction published in "Anthology," a Tarleton State University publication. She primarily writes articles about crafts and home improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and is pursuing her Master of Arts in English, both from Tarleton.
Photo Credits
- bed springs image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
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