What to Look for in Style
If your couch has individual cushions, or wooden or metal arms, you should not staple fabric over it. Contemporary sofas with one-piece backs, seats, and upholstered arms work best for the stapling method. If you try to staple fabric over loose or individual cushions, you risk premature wearing of the new fabric. As people sit on your couch, the movements will rub the fabric against the cushions and make holes in the fabric.
Don't Get Staple Happy
When you staple fabric over a couch, do not staple everywhere. Start with the back piece, and staple under the couch. Bring fabric up and over the top, then tuck it into the back crease. Do the same with arms and the seat. You will be using a staple-and-tuck method. Use heavy-duty staples with a staple gun for the best results. Cut fabric long enough to allow for tucking.
How to Staple Fabric
The quality of your stapling will determine the quality of your finished couch. Keep the staple gun pressed firmly against the wooden frame when you staple. Secure the fabric with plenty of staples that lie flat on the frame. Tap down any that do not lie flat with a hammer. Smooth the fabric as you go to prevent wrinkling. Remember, staple only the areas on the underside of the couch.
Fabrics to Consider
You can cover a couch with just about any fabric, but some fabrics work better with staples than others. Cotton and chintz fabrics are a safe bet. Their fibers can accommodate the sharpness of the staples while still having enough drape for pulling over and tucking fabric. Fabrics made from wool, tweed, and twill are also good choices. Taffeta is not a good choice because staples can create small tears in that fabric.