If we don’t have enough money to buy new furniture or we just don’t want to part with things dear to our hearts, we begin to think about how to update old furniture? Experienced carpenters claim that old frames for sofas, armchairs and chairs are more reliable than new, economical options. In addition, refurbished furniture will cost 1.5-3 times less than the cheapest new one. Moreover, independent restoration of furniture is a creative process that brings moral satisfaction and pride in its result. Moreover, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Repairing furniture items on site will save you a lot of time and effort.

First, you need to establish the cause of the damage and determine ways to eliminate it. Then you should purchase required material And the right tool. Plain old furniture can be updated simply by painting it. First, check for wood-boring beetles in your furniture. If, nevertheless, you find passages made by them, then they need to be blown out with a pump. Afterwards, it is necessary to drip a special compound against woodworms or regular kerosene into these passages. Before painting, the holes are sealed with wax or wood putty. Now, carefully, without damaging the surface of the wood, remove old paint. Oil paints and varnishes are removed with turpentine or white spirit, alcohol and bakelite varnishes with ethyl alcohol. It is necessary to work in gloves with a paint brush or a cloth swab wound on a wooden stick. Still needed wooden block with an edge cut at an angle for scraping off softened paint. After this, the surface of the furniture must be treated with sandpaper so that it is not rough. Sand along the wood grain. The paint should be based on alkyd resin.

Having painted old chest of drawers and by replacing the old handles with new ones, we got an exclusive item.

Wicker furniture can be made beautiful again by applying a coat of drying oil and then a coat of clear varnish. You can also paint wicker furniture.

If cane furniture is sagging, it can be brought back into proper shape by washing it on both sides with a hot soapy solution and table salt, and then drying it thoroughly. You can clean wicker furniture with a brush dipped in a solution of table salt and dry it on fresh air. If the furniture is simply dusty, clean it with a vacuum cleaner or brush.

You can also update old furniture by covering it with wallpaper. These could be scraps left over from pasting the walls.

An old bed stops squeaking if its parts are wiped with wax.

And cabinet jamming can be eliminated by rubbing the drawers or guide strips with candle wax. If the jamming is more serious, it can be eliminated by sharpening the rubbing surfaces with sandpaper.

A loose cabinet door can be fixed by installing new hinges. Wooden plugs Using glue, you need to drive it into the old sockets from the screws that secured the hinges and fill the sockets with pieces of wire wool. Place new screws under the hinges, slightly longer than the old ones.

Upholstered furniture is easy to update by changing old upholstery to a modern new one. There is no need to remove the old upholstery. Buy for work furniture stapler, and for the furniture itself - upholstery fabric. If you intend to change the shape of the sofa or armchairs, purchase foam rubber or padding polyester to do this. Using them, you can extend the armrests and headrests of a sofa or chairs and give them the shape of bolsters. Secure the foam with a cord or baste it with threads directly to the old upholstery.

When the base is ready, proceed to the actual upholstery. To do this, first make a pattern for the upholstery, measuring the dimensions of the furniture to be fitted. You can also carefully remove the old upholstery and cut out a new one over it, then securing it with a stapler. The fastening points can be decorated with finishing braid or decorative tape using the same stapler. Sand the wooden armrests and legs with sandpaper and cover them with colored enamel or tinted varnish. Changing the shape and decorating modern materials, your furniture will sparkle with new colors.

You can also change the covers for the pillows on the sofa by inserting zippers into them.


After updating the sofa and armchairs, change the upholstery on the chairs. It couldn't be easier. Remove the seat and remove the old upholstery. Replace old foam if necessary. Also use a stapler to secure the new upholstery. Sand the wooden parts of the chair and paint them in any color you like and varnish them. Then, secure the seat back to the chair.


Another option is removable covers for armchairs, sofas and chairs. This fashion trend and also very practical, since they are easy to remove for washing or replacement.


The fabric is selected based on general style rooms.




The choice of fabrics is huge: silk, muslin, linen, velvet or fluffy fur.


If you don’t want to sew anything at all or need to quickly update your upholstered furniture, you can simply throw fur over a chair or sofa.

If you don't have experience in upholstering furniture, you can practice on an old chair by sewing a simple cover for it.

Furniture reupholstery should not just restore old chairs and sofas, but give them new life.

Today it’s not a problem to buy a beautiful set in a store upholstered furniture or a stylish chair. But some have reasons why they would like to leave old sofa, armchairs or banquette. However, their unsightly appearance spoils the entire interior. Therefore, old upholstered furniture requires updating.

Ways to update furniture

There are several ways to do this:

• furniture reupholstery;
• sew or purchase a cover;
• make a decorative overlay on the damaged area.

Before you start updating old furniture, you need to make a sketch of what it will look like. Its style and shade should match the interior. In addition, it should remain comfortable as before. After all, this is one of the reasons why they don’t want to replace it with a new one.

The easiest way is to sew a new removable cover or several covers from different fabrics for winter, for summer, lighter and darker. If the upholstery is basically clean and strong, but in one place it turns out to be damaged, for example, by a dog’s claws, you can disguise the damage with a beautiful fabric appliqué.

The most labor-intensive method is reupholstering furniture. This is a complete replacement of the upholstery, and sometimes internal filler. Cheap foam rubber deteriorates especially quickly. It begins to crumble, becomes thinner, and the upholstered furniture ceases to be soft.

How to reupholster a sofa

For reupholstering you need to prepare materials such as upholstery fabric, high-quality foam rubber, padding polyester, furniture stapler with staples, self-tapping screws. The most common and affordable fabrics include jacquard, velor, and tapestry.

Important! You need to buy fabric with a reserve, about a quarter more than calculated during measurements. This is necessary for seam allowances and for overlapping pieces.

Old upholstery can be cut if it is completely worn out, or ripped apart at the seams. In this case, you can still use it to cover chairs, banquettes, and benches in the hallway. In addition, carefully removed fabric will serve as a pattern. It will need to be straightened and, if necessary, smoothed with an iron. Then lay it out on a new canvas and circle it.

At the second stage, you need to remove all the foam and attach a new one. To secure, use a stapler or decorative nails. But it is not recommended to use any nails or screws on the seat to avoid subsequent injuries. Place the staples approximately 2 cm apart. The padding polyester is fixed to the foam rubber. This can be done using the same stapler, needle and thread or glue.

Important! The glue should not be toxic or have a strong smell.

Finally you can reupholster the sofa new fabric. In this case, you need to make sure that the fabric does not wrinkle and is not too stretched. It is attached to the back and bottom of the sofa furniture stapler. On the seat in a checkerboard pattern, you can sew buttons on the leg, having previously covered them with the same fabric.

The easiest way to give an old sofa a new look

It consists of replacing sofa cushions. And if they haven’t been there yet, it’s time to put them on the sofa. The more such pillows and pillows there will be different sizes, the more options there are for how to arrange them for convenience. And if you need to seat several people on the sofa, such pillows can always be removed and then returned back. The color of the pillows can act as a contrast compared to the sofa upholstery. It will be great if the pillows and curtains are made of the same fabric. Pillows with faux fur covers will add coziness. long pile or with a hand-knitted pillowcase.

Upholstered furniture occupies an important place in our lives. However, over time, even the highest quality and most expensive sofa ceases to fit into the overall design of the room, becomes less attractive and loses its original appearance. Many people see only one way out of this situation - replace the old sofa with a new one - and the problem is solved. But don't rush. Why spend big money on new sofa, if you can restore the old one and it will look even better than before?

When choosing a new material for upholstering a sofa, you must remember that it must fit harmoniously into the design of the surrounding interior.

In order to update your sofa, you can use the services of professionals who will do their job efficiently and quickly, but this can also be expensive. You can take a risk and try to update your favorite furniture yourself. At the same time, you should be prepared to face some difficulties, since this is not an easy task.

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Sofa reupholstery

To begin with, it is worth noting that the technology used to reupholster a sofa with your own hands is far from the same as that used by professionals. At first glance it may seem that this is unrealistic, but if you have at least some special skills, the result will be no worse. If you are far from this, then it is better not to start, as when reupholstering an old sofa, the following difficulties may arise:

1. Some furniture designs are quite difficult to disassemble yourself.
2. Creating a pattern for a sofa with complex geometric shapes.
3. When reupholstering a sofa that is more than 7 years old, restoration may require not only the upholstery, but also the frame of the structure.
4. The cost of the sofa is too high. If this is your first experience, it is better not to take risks, but to overpay a little and use the services of specialists.
5. If the material is expensive (it could be leather or its substitute), it is better to use the services of experienced craftsmen.

These and other difficulties may arise for a beginner. If this doesn’t scare you, then you can go directly to work. Reupholstering a sofa with your own hands should be carried out in several stages:

1. You need to remove individual elements from the sofa - pillows, poufs, sides, and so on.
2. Remove old upholstery.
3. Make a pattern for a new cover.
4. Cover all parts of the sofa.
5. Assemble the entire structure.

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In order to sew a new cover for a sofa (chair), you need to take the measurements correctly.

For those who first came up with the idea of ​​updating a sofa with their own hands, experts recommend:

Try not to use complex patterns or combinations of several materials in your work.

If you don't have experience, try reupholstering a simpler object first - a chair or stool, using inexpensive material.

During reupholstery, use photo and video recording. Record each step, this will help you in the future to carry out the correct assembly.

Stock up on the following tools, which you cannot do without:

• flat screwdriver;
• hex keys;
• side cutters and nippers;
• construction stapler;
• scissors, chalk or marker;
• sewing machine and thread.

Pillows can be decorated with decorative buttons, which are best ordered from a clothing repair shop. Don't forget to take a small piece of fabric with you.

When choosing a fabric, pay attention not so much to its aesthetic appearance, how much to the level of its strength. You should not give preference to rough fabrics and synthetics, which can stretch and as a result will only disappoint you. The color should be chosen taking into account the design of the room where the sofa will be placed.

There are several tips for choosing fabric for upholstering a sofa:

• the fabric should not fade or smell unpleasant;
• it must have strong pile;
• when choosing fabric with thick pile, pay attention to its direction when cutting;
• a small pattern will help reduce fabric consumption, and large geometric shapes will do the opposite;
• a combination of companion fabrics will make your sofa bright and original.

Even the most quality furniture during intensive use it breaks down or loses its former attractiveness. There is no need to immediately get rid of it after making purchases. There are many ways you can use to update your interior items. You don't even need a restoration specialist for this. It is quite possible to repair a sofa with your own hands. Below are methods that will help give things an updated look.

If a thing has lost its former attractiveness, you can return it to its original appearance through a number of techniques.

How to update an old sofa:

How is furniture reupholstered?

In essence, this procedure is a major overhaul of furniture. If you try, you can get almost new furniture from an old sofa, fully meeting the idea of ​​an ideal piece of furniture.

This work is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, even if you are not House master. To restore a leather sofa, you need to prepare all the necessary equipment and materials in advance.

To carry out the reupholstery you will need:

• screwdrivers and pliers (they are needed to remove old staples);
• a set of wrenches for nuts and bolts; tape measure (without it it is impossible to take measurements);
• construction or pneumatic stapler;
• staples (6-10 mm. In this situation, everything depends on the thickness and density of the material that will be used to upholster the repaired item);
• garbage bags.

To sew a new cover for sofas you will need:

• fabric for upholstery (or leatherette) and fabric for lining;
• tailor's scissors;
• special crayons for the material (in extreme cases, you can take remnants);
• reinforced threads;
• ruler;
• paper for creating patterns;
• sewing machine.

How to remake furniture at home?

Just follow the instructions:

Stage I: we begin restoring furniture by disassembling it, which involves unscrewing and removing locks, as well as detaching old staples that were needed to secure the upholstery to the frame. Be sure to keep trash bags on hand to immediately remove dust and previous litter.

It is necessary to remove all unusable parts and debris

Stage II: carrying out repair work and replacement of parts that have become unusable. In fact, restoring an old but beloved sofa is possible if you select the right spare parts. If you notice that cracks have appeared on the beams that form the frame, this indicates that their useful life has come to an end. Replacement should be carried out by choosing solid beams. If desired, you can order them from a carpenter or prepare them yourself. In order for the alteration to be carried out efficiently, the joints of the beams should be registered using PVA glue. If you notice broken parts, you also need to repair them or install new ones by cutting them out with a jigsaw.

If necessary, it is worth replacing the beams

For their subsequent fixation, the master uses nails or a pneumatic stapler. This tool will be needed if you decide to return the furniture to its original appearance. Springs often break during operation. We repair them by completely replacing the blocks. Sometimes it's only decision, which is suitable for bringing the seats of your favorite folding beds back to normal.

Stage III: replacement of the filler, which is often foam rubber. Over time, it cakes and becomes unsuitable for further use. We restore the seat by removing the old material and covering it with new. How to restore the seat? Only in this way, although it can be done easier by leaving the same filler if it is in good condition.

Replacing foam rubber is a mandatory step

Stage IV: replacing locks is a mandatory stage when restoring furniture.

On final stage A new cover is sewn and fixed to the piece of furniture. Britannica sofas and armchairs are repaired using the same scheme.

Replacing the upholstery with a new one How to make a pattern for a sofa

If such work seems burdensome to you, a repairman will help leather sofas at home. He knows exactly how to restore furniture.

Over the past ten years, it has become popular to restore old upholstered furniture - Soviet book sofas, seats of dining chairs, favorite armchairs. The reasons that force people to give new life to old things are practically sentimental - a relic sofa brought by a great-grandfather as a trophy from the war, or an armchair in which a grandmother knitted a lot of socks for a family of three generations.

But more often we are surprised to realize that good Soviet furniture in terms of quality and integrity of the frame is much better than new furniture found in the low and medium price ranges. Such furniture is often made from raw timber, cheap spring blocks, and covered with cheap and low-quality fabric on top.

A great number of master restorers have appeared - there are even craftsmen who can so transform appearance old sofa, that it will not differ from its modern counterparts in design and content. But, in fact, with minimal business skills, desire and patience, reupholstering upholstered furniture with your own hands is an easy and even creative task.

Do-it-yourself methods for restoring and upholstering furniture

Furniture restoration allows you to completely transform old interior items

There are two ways to update the appearance of upholstered furniture: washing and replacement. Both options are quite labor-intensive and technically cumbersome, but doable! All your efforts will pay off when you see and feel the fruits of your labor with a feeling of complete satisfaction.

This option is best suited for small items furniture: seats of chairs, stools and small armchairs. If you like the upholstery fabric on your favorite old sofa and it is well preserved, has a unique woven pattern, and you understand that a modern analogue is unaffordable, then the sofa cover can be put in the wash.

For washing large furniture covers It is better to use the services of a professional laundry

• Saving money - you only spend time with small expenses, including the cost of washing detergents and furniture fittings(staples, lining fabric).
• Reviving the authentic look of a piece of furniture.

There is one minus, but a significant one - there is a high probability that the cover will “shrink” during washing or even fall apart. Since upholstery fabric is not designed for washing, it is not treated for shrinkage, like clothing fabrics, for example.

Complete replacement of furniture cover

This path is the longest and most difficult, but true. Old and shabby upholstery is mercilessly thrown away, and the sofa can please you with brand new fabric in fresh colors. Complete replacement It is quite possible to make a furniture cover yourself at home. But be prepared for problems hidden under a leaky cover: cracked frame beams, broken springs, broken fiberboard or a faulty locking mechanism.

If, upon opening the cover, you are saddened to discover internal damage, do not despair - simply the operation of replacing the cover develops into a more complex, major phase of reupholstering upholstered furniture.

Padding

This relatively new concept includes not only replacing upholstery, but also: complete renovation frame, replacement of foam rubber, locks, spring blocks, everything that is needed. In essence, reupholstery is a major overhaul of upholstered furniture, as a result of which you will receive a new interior element made to your taste.

Major renovation allows you to save even the most “dead” furniture

Required tools and materials

In order for the work of reupholstering upholstered furniture to proceed comfortably, smoothly and without unnecessary nerves, you need to prepare the necessary tools in advance.

Tools d For disassembly and assembly work

• A large flat-head screwdriver and pliers are used to pick up and pull out old staples.
• A Phillips or flat-head screwdriver that matches the size of the slot in the heads of the screws securing the lock to the frame.
• Set of wrenches for nuts and bolts.

Almost all upholstered furniture frames are bolted, so you can’t do without a set of keys

• Roulette - do necessary measurements when replacing housing parts.
• Stapler - construction or pneumatic. The second is preferable because, without effort on your part, it drives long, strong staples deep into the wood of the frame, even through several layers of fabric.
• Staples - from 6 mm to 10 mm depending on the thickness and density of the selected upholstery fabric.
• Garbage bags (larger and denser).

To sew new covers you will need:

• New upholstery fabric - the choice in stores is mind-boggling, choose according to taste and cost. In order not to make a mistake with the footage, sketch out approximate details before purchasing. Consider standard width roll - up to 145 cm (together with the edging of the edges of the canvas) and the location of the patterns relative to the pile and shine of the material.
• Lining fabric for padding the back surfaces of the back and seat. This is not necessary, but a layer of lining will protect the furniture from dust getting inside, and the cost of lining material is low. Therefore, it is better not to neglect this simple operation.
• Sharp scissors, preferably special tailor's scissors for cutting.

When cutting new covers, tailor's scissors will be simply irreplaceable.

• Crayons or thin pieces of soap.
• Threads - no less than No. 10, and better - special reinforced ones for rigid fabrics.
• Meter ruler.
• Paper for patterns if you are going to modify the appearance of the product: change the shape of the legs, back and seats.
• Sewing machine.

Constriction technology

Dismantling old furniture

This is the first and dirtiest stage - you have to unscrew and remove the bolts, locks and disassemble the frame. Then remove all the old staples that fasten the upholstery to the frame.

After removing the upholstery, a rather unsightly picture may be revealed to the eye.

Take care of the disassembly site - you will have to stir up the “dust of centuries” that has soaked the sofa or armchair. And staples have a sneaky habit of scattering across the floor and digging into the soles of sneakers (or feet). If it is not possible to disassemble the sofa outside, cover the equipment (TVs, computers, etc.) with film, and take everything that is possible into another room.

Keep trash bags handy - you'll have to throw away a lot of the junk you've turned into. inner filling sofa (armchairs, chairs, etc.). Once you've finished disassembling, immediately remove all resulting debris from your home. Various nasties can lurk in the interior dust of upholstered furniture - from allergens to dust mites.

Repair work and replacement of parts

Having removed the old cover, you may find a number of serious damages under the harmless abrasions of the upholstery; do not rush to give up and throw away the sofa, calculating in your head how much it will cost to buy a new one.

All repair problems can be solved, and parts are replaceable - the list of breakdowns and ways to fix them is not as extensive and scary as you might think at first glance.

Cracked frame beams

All old sofas and armchairs are based on frames held together with locking saws and glue. It is a strong and durable system, much better modern installation self-tapping screws. But when the service life ends, the corners of the frames become weak and crack. The beams need to be replaced. Choose a dry tree, without knots, cracks and bark - bast or middle with a smooth, straight structure. Otherwise, the beam, which carries a large load and lacks strength and integrity, will quickly burst. Damp wood in warm and dry apartment conditions will belatedly begin to dry out and warp. It is better to repeat the lock cut - order it from a master carpenter or do it yourself. It is better to soak the joints of the frame beams with PVA glue before joining.

Broken fiberboard parts (lintels of the seat frame and backrest)

Everything is simpler here - you measure the size and cut out new parts yourself with a jigsaw or make them to order in a furniture workshop. It is better to prepare separate parts of the jumpers (in old sofas there are usually three of them - the middle and two sides), which are easier to replace in case of a break. They can be attached to the frame with nails or a pneumatic stapler.

Broken springs not only impair the cushioning properties of furniture, but can also cause injuries and cuts.

The sore spot is the middle of the seat, where children love to jump and guests love to sit. Some craftsmen manage to “twist” spring blocks, replacing broken springs with new ones. However, there is no guarantee that after some time another one will not burst. old spring and for her sake you won’t have to start all the work all over again. Therefore, it is more rational to replace the spring blocks completely.

Replacing seat belts

Any dense tape of suitable width can act as belts.

Typically, the frames of the seats and backs of old chairs are tightened with intertwined wide belts, on which foam rubber is laid. And the belts very rarely break; most often the place where the belt and the frame meet is worn out. Any belts that you consider durable will be suitable for replacement. The main thing is that they are tightly woven, preferably from synthetic materials and a width of at least 5–7 cm.

Caked foam rubber

Any type of foam rubber has this technical characteristics, as the number of compressions. This is an indicator of how many times the material will withstand compression and be able to restore its original shape and elasticity. Almost always in old furniture, foam rubber has long outlived its usefulness in this respect and has turned into dust or into a viscous substance reminiscent of sticky plasticine. Throw it away without regret and lay down new foam rubber.

It’s better not to skimp on foam rubber - it’s not only a soft layer, but also protects the internal structure from damage

Replacing locks

Also common problem– over time, the steel mechanism of the lock becomes loose, play appears in it, or the springs that snap the lock into the “sitting” or “lying” position fly off. Inspect the lock carefully; you may need to change the screw or install a new latch spring. If not, then the lock will have to be changed - fortunately, this is not a problem, furniture fittings stores will offer you big choice modern castles.

Master class on sewing new covers

The most creative stage of work. You can leave the look of the furniture the same; in this case, you can use old covers as patterns. Before work, they should be thoroughly shaken and vacuumed.

When cutting new parts, carefully monitor the location of the weft and warp threads, as well as the direction of the pile. This is especially true for the patterns of the backrest and seat-back, if the width of the fabric does not allow making a one-piece cover (meaning the upholstery of a sofa-book).

With creativity and sewing skills, you can transform the look of old furniture to make it more modern, comfortable and suit your taste. The main part of the modifications is achieved with foam rubber overlays - soft bolsters are added on the side panels, and backrest headrest pads are added. You can take into account the position of the body in a sitting position and add foam pads on the seat (under the knees) and inserts under the lower back.

By using darts, folds, and curly details, the covers will take on a completely new shape and become more modern.

In order to do a high-quality and beautiful job of modifying the appearance of upholstered furniture, you need basic cutting and sewing skills. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to risk doing it yourself, but hire a specialist to do the work.

Nuances of cutting and sewing

• Leave seam allowances of 1 – 1.5 cm depending on the density of the fabric.

When cutting fabric, be sure to leave 1-1.5 centimeters for seams

• It is advisable to process the edges of the sewn parts with an overlock or zigzag stitch.

• Upholstery fabric with a large pile must be basted by hand before machine stitching to avoid moving parts.
• If leatherette, artificial or natural leather is chosen for the upholstery, then when making facial finishing seams, use it as a presser foot sewing machine use a special roller. As a last resort, you can coat the surface of the fabric under the presser foot. thin layer machine oil.
• In case of sewing into a cover decorative overlays, baste the folds by hand.

As often as possible during the sewing process, do fittings - foam rubber, a softening hard spring frame, a pliable material, the shape of which is determined by the cover.

Attaching new covers to upholstered furniture parts

The repair work has been completed, the covers have been sewn, it’s time to begin the important stage of stretching the new upholstery. You need to clearly understand that the final result and appearance of your chair or sofa depend on the quality of this stage. You will need patience and accuracy in your work.

At the stage of the last fitting, it will still be possible to correct mistakes - sew in or loosen the corners a little, alter the darts. Do not be alarmed if the cover fits very tightly onto the frame - in the process of attaching it, you will still “shoot” it even tighter. It's worse if the cover is put on loosely, because... By attaching it with staples, there is a high probability of getting unsightly folds and creases.

The sequence of work on attaching new upholstery covers:

• First of all, put the covers on the parts and, while they are in a free position, straighten them as much as possible. The seams should be positioned evenly and parallel to the edges of the parts; match the corners of the covers with the corners of the frames.
• Then start attaching the cover with staples - holding the stapler in right hand, with your left hand, constantly, using ironing movements, pull the fabric from the middle of the part to the edge. Make sure that the bevel is even and evenly rounded - this especially applies to the edges of the backs and seats of chairs and sofas. It is better to start “shooting” staples from the middle, so any excess tissue will move to the edges, where they can be sutured manually.

Stapler - best tool for fastening furniture covers

• When upholstering the former, carefully cut out the holes for the bolts with scissors and fill the edges of the cutouts with staples. If necessary, use a hammer to drive the staples into the wood more tightly.
• After stretching the upholstery, you need to cover the wrong sides with sheets of lining fabric. There is no need to waste time carefully cutting out the lining with scissors. Having outlined the approximate length, taking into account the folding of the edges 3-4 cm on each side, make a notch with scissors and tear the fabric; the synthetic lining breaks exactly along the thread, which you will not get when cutting with scissors. The inside of the lining should be shot from the corners, pulling the fabric tightly.