Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/8/2009

Question
I have a tapestry antique sofa from the late 19th century with a wood carving along the bottom and on the camel back part. The seat has worn through and springs can be felt. Is there something i can do prior to having it commpletly restored. I love the old tapestry that is beautiful still on the arms and the back is one long piece. It is 88inches long. I need your advice.  thanks

Answer
Hi Maggie
Nice to hear from you.
Yes, there's something you can do to make your lovely old sofa usable.
You did not say if the sofa has cushions and it would be nice to know that but heres a suggestion.
Go to your local fabric store and get a piece of padding material called Dacron.
Thats the name of a heavy synthetic padding material here in Canada and hopefully its the same there.
You want the piece to fully fit across the sofa seat.
Also get a length of plain upholstery material that goes well with the tapestry color.
Pick out a color that is in the tapestry.
Get material that is 45 inches wide and the full length of the sofa plus some to tuck down the sides.
Next go to the lumber yard and get some doweling.
You will want a piece the length of the top seat. And two pieces the width of the top seat.
Heres what you do..
Spread the Dacron over the sofa top.
Tuck down firmly into the back and sides.
Next lay your upholstery material over the top and tuck down firmly into the back and sides.
Then take your doweling and tuck it into the back and sides to hold the material.
Now heres where I sure would have liked to know if there are cushions LOL.
If there are cushions, then simply tuck the material under them at the front.
If there are no cushions, the material can be tacked across the front with decorative tacks (hardware store).

Let me know if this is not clear.
Regards
Eileen