I know how to upholster a simple chair seat. Years of Trading Spaces viewings taught me to start with a staple in the center, pull the fabric taut to the opposite side, staple, and work out from there. Beyond that though? I don’t know. Stick some batting in there under the fabric if you’re feeling fancy, and call it a day? And forget about webbing and springs. That wasn’t covered by Hildi. Of course, my lack of knowledge in this area didn’t stop me from purchasing an inexpensive wooden framed bed for August’s room, with the intent to upholster it.
I waffled between several blue fabric choices, but I fell for a design with tree slices during a recent trip to IKEA. The color palette is neutral, and I’m thinking of it as a manly take on polka dots. You know, for my manly two-year-old.
I felt like I could approach the project with my limited sewing skill set and do a decent job, but I wanted to do an amazing! job. I searched for tutorials online, but there are a lot of people out there putting out a lot of tutorials with questionable methods. Then I heard word that Spruce’s Amanda Brown was coming out with a book (Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design), so when I was asked to take part in her online book tour, I agreed.
The book is divided among five key projects, and from those, you can adapt the techniques to whichever piece you want to work on. It’s thorough and covers what I would consider to be complex reupholstering jobs, but everything feels doable rather than overwhelming. I’m paying close attention to the section on the frame of a three-seater sofa, as it’s pretty close to what I’ll be doing to the bed.
Win a Copy of the Book!
Do you have any upholstering to do? The Spruce book tour and classes are about to start, and they’re also holding a giveaway with their “Ugliest Chair” contest on Facebook right now.
I received a copy of the book for review, but I’m also giving a copy away. Just leave a comment below to enter*, and I’ll choose a winner at random. Good luck! And be sure to visit the other blogs participating in the online book tour.
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Monday, 11.4 — Bromeliad
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Tuesday, 11.5 — How About Orange
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Wednesday, 11.6 — Our Humble Abode
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Thursday, 11.7 — Inside Storey
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Friday, 11.8 — HGTV’s Design Happens
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Monday, 11.11 — Seventh House on the Left
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Tuesday, 11.12 — Making It Lovely (Hi, you’re here.)
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Wednesday, 11.13 — Our Style Stories
Open to US residents only, 18 and over. Ends Friday at midnight, CT.
*The giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Annie!
Comments
313 responses to “The Spruce Upholstery Book, and Plans for August’s Bed”
Please please please pick me, random number generator. I have some pieces in desperate need of some love. and thanks for the chance to win!
I bought a few chairs to reupholster without knowing how to do it. What perfect timing!
YAY! I know it sounds simple, but I have an ottoman I would love to recover!
Ooo fun!! Thank you for the opportunity :) We are on the new-homeowner-budget at the moment, so this book could help transform our fugly chairs into something that isn’t so embarrassing!
I just put this on my wishlist!!
I have 4 pieces in line to reupholster~ I would love to reference this book and try to tackle one of them myself.
I would love to win! I’ve been dying to reupholster a few chairs but it seems daunting. This would be a great resource. Pick me!
I would love to learn more. I have a chair, w/ a half completed slip cover that I put aside. And two squares / ottomans. (Boing! idea! – that Ikea wood fabric would look pretty cool on an ottoman beside the fireplace.)
I inherited a couch and chair that are in bad need of work, looking forward to seeing this book!
I’d love to learn how to do this! I have these gorgous cane-back louis chairs taht I want to put new seat cushions on, but they have very particular corners and the seats have piping so it’s a little more complicated than my standard chair recovering. Eventually I’d like to do a bigger project!
Ohhh this would be such a timely book to win! I have two retro chairs and two mid century sofas that all need to be reupholstered…and I planned on tackling it myself, but with the same amount of upholstery knowledge as you, I could also use a peek in this book! *fingers crossed* :)
Oh this book looks wonderful! I have a horrible mauve chair that needs some love and I keep chickening out of reupholstering it!
I’d bookmarked that crewel chair in the trailer back when it was on Design Sponge. It’s gorgeous and I would love to experiment on a $10 vinyl wingback chair I have in an extra bedroom.
We have so many upholstery projects planned and not sure how to go about them. So we’d love this book!
I have always wanted to learn how to do upholstery! I got some fabric to do a simple stool, but hope to one day be able to do more complicated things.
I have many upholstery projects and very little experience – this book would help!
Oh! This is one book I really would love to own! So many pieces, so many questions! I have my husbands grandmother’s two dining chairs I’d love to do in a royal velvety blue and a rocker from another grandmother I like to do in cowhide! Pleeeeaaase pick me random.org!
Hey, I totally need that. If I don’t win ill put it on my christmas list.
I have some seriously ugly sofas that could use the Spruce upholstery book! I’ve been keeping them in a far away storage unit–not thinking about them.
Super great resource!! I need this book!!
I would love to start tackling some of my reupholstering projects, and this book would be SO helpful! Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve done a few beginner projects but could definitely use this book. Good luck with your project!
When my daughter was 3 weeks old, in the dead of winter, and while my husband was away for a month of work training, I reupholstered a 3-seater couch with sofa bed. Didn’t really know what I was doing, except to staple the hell out of it. I used foam from Hancock Fabrics, and it was the most uncomfortable, firm POS I ever sat on. But, I was determined to make it work, until I found another free couch. This one was comfy with down pillows, and I reupholstered that one too. You know, in the two weeks before Christmas when my in-laws were coming to stay.
There’s now a wingback in my garage awaiting the same treatment, but I’m a bit worn out (and my Husband is tired of being poked with wayward staples!) This book would be the perfect thing to teach me how to actually do these things. Fingers crossed!
I have a ridiculous amount of furniture projects collected in my basement. I could definitely use this book! :)
What a great looking book! I’d love to redo a second hand bench for my bedroom – I’d like to add pleated tufting, but that’s way outside my current skill set.
Oh, I think this book was meant for me and an upholstered bench I salvaged from a hotel. It needs some serious love and I’ve been too intimidated to start.
love your treering polkadots! and would love to up my upholstering game from dining room chairs to something a little more advanced. thanks for sharing :)
I have a few items i would like to recover. this book would certainly help!
Fingers crossed! I tried to upholster a glider once and it was a disaster. I’d love to learn how to fix it up proper!
Wow, I would LOVE to win this book! I inherited some chairs from my mom that were my grandmother’s. They desperately need recovering. It’s something I’ve thought about doing myself, but I’ve been hesitant because I don’t want to screw it up so badly that it needs to be professionally fixed. That’s why I haven’t taken it to an upholsterer already, can’t afford it!
Upholstering is something that I’ve always wanted to approach (with pieces waiting, mind you). Thank you for the opportunity to win the book! I feel as though I may just conquer this…one day.
I found some awesome antique chairs in the alley behind our apartment, and I am still trying to figure out how to reupholster those babies! This book looks great and thanks for sharing!
Yep, I need this book. In all my years of “trying” to upholster, this would have helped.
Thank you
ooh man, this book looks beautiful and fantastically helpful!
I’d love the chance to learn something useful like this! Looking forward to your review and seeing the finished project! (LOVE the fabric)
Oh my gosh, this is such perfect timing! I have a darling arm chair that I ruined and really need to reupholster it. I even have cute upholstery fabric hanging around.
If I luck out, this book may also help me repair and recover my little Duncan Phyfe chairs I’ve been holding onto for years because I love them but no one can safely sit on them.
Also, I adore that wood slice fabric! Of course, I would though, I live in Oregon! The wood slice is a symbol for the Portland Timbers!
What a lovely give-away. This would be so helpful for the two chairs I acquired this summer by dumpster diving.
Frames are in great shape, upholstery not so great and my upholstery skills are even worse.
I would love to have this book. I have several different projects that need upholstery and I’m just not sure where to begin.
I’m currently looking for fabric to reupholster a great chair from my grandmother for our nursery. This would be the perfect thing for me!
Ooh. Can’t wait to see what you do. I’ve been contemplating a headboard project, too.
I am planning in buying this book whether or not I win because I’ve been following spruce for quite some time now. I recently purchased a vintage sofa I plan on reupholstering so this book would certainly be welcome in my house!
I have the ugliest chair, that desperately needs this book! Oh, I can’t wait to reupholster it. Love the Trading Spaces reference… I definitely think I can make a slip cover because of that show!
Help…I desperately need this book! I have a couch that I love but my husband hates the fabric and I need this book to help me reupholster it….pleading…please! -thanks!
Omg, you have no idea how many chairs I’ve bought with the idea of reupholstering them myself only to sell them a couple of months later instead!
I have no less than five chairs, a settee, and a headboard/footboard combo that I’ve collected over the last three years, hoarding until I finally find the courage to tackle a REAL upholstery project. This book is already on my wish list, would love a copy!
I really want to reupholster some dinning chairs we bought from Craigslist but I don’t know where to begin. This book is what I need!!
Love Spruce! Been following their blog for awhile now. Wish they had a book stop in the Midwest!
I’ve had an upholstered headboard on my to-do list for years. This book may finally kick me into action.
I would love to own this book! I just tried my hand at my first upholstery project, with mixed results. I’d love more guidance!
OH… I have a few chairs I would love to re-upholster, this would come in handy!
Please pick me. I need to get over my re-upholstery paralysis.
Entering my name for the hope of winning the book also! :) I upholstered a small chair a few years back without bothering to redo the stained wood that would show (that wasn’t in very good condition). And since then, a spring has broken anyway, so it just needs to be totally redone. :)
I reupholstered that same bed for my girl – it’s pretty easy! You can do it!
I have this book on my wishlist now!
Oooh, pick me, Goddess of Random! Or not; I’m sure all of us would make good use of it. I’ve been slow to get into the DIY trend and I’ve always been afraid of sewing machines, but my desire to cheaply reupholster stuff is getting the better of me. (I keep getting quotes that are like six times the cost of the original piece so I’m coming around.) This sounds like an AWESOME tool to help us learn!
My first project (winner or not) is a stupid unfinished Ikea bench and cheap pine chair, just so I can have a practice run before my first REAL project of these two great cane and wood wishbone chairs I got for $20.
Would love to reupholster two chairs that I have been on my project list for 8 years!
The book looks beautiful! Last year, I upholstered my the headboard of my daughter’s bed, using foam, batting, muslin, and fabric.
Love your fabric! Would love the book, too!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!! I hope to win :)
I’d love to tackle an upholstery project, but I’ve been a big chicken so far.
Love the tree slices fabric:)
Must have this book!!! :)
OH OH I have an ugly chair that needs some love! I have had the chair for 2 years and keep staring at it wondering where to start…
This book is exactly what I’ve been looking for, exquisite and useful. Thanks!
I need this! I have actually spent the entire summer thinking about learning upholstery. I even have furniture in the garage to practice with I bought at estate sales.
It’s one of my unfulfilled ambitions in life to learn how to reupholster! Maybe winning this book would inspire me to tackle a project!
Would love this book. Thanks for featuring!
i have done some minimal upholstery stuff but want to expand to bigger projects. please o please!
My name is Joanne, and I have a chair problem. I find them on the side of the road and take them home. With every intention of re-upholstering them. It’s just my fear of screwing it up gets in the way. I need this book.
All I’ve done are chair seats (with extra batting – I love that you call that “fancy!”) and I’m ready to move on to the next step!
Pick me. Please. I need to do a headboard for our master bedroom!!
I’d love to win this book!! I have two particularly awesome chairs I inherited from my grandma, but the brown velvet fabric doesn’t quit “go” well in either our fancy parlor or our family parlor.
I have an arm chair my dogs are using it at the moment, but I’d love to give it a second chance.
I would love a copy of this! I have an adorable chair that needs to be reupholstered and this would help so much!
Would love to win the book! I’ve always wanted to learn how to upholster complicated pieces, it’s definitely an art form!
Wow! What an awesome book! I would love to learn how to upholster!
I would love this!
Awesome! I’ve always wanted to learn the art of upholstery. Pick me, pick me!
I have a beautiful 1950s chair from my great-grandma. My cats have decided to kill the mustard-yellow boucle upholstery, and it needs help!
I supa want this book, but the $35 is a little steep, especially for someone who is wanting to save money by self-reupholstering. I’d love to win it!!
This is EXACTLY what I have been needing!!! Ever since having chair envy for your Anthro orange chair (if only we knew of Chairish then!), I have been wanting to reupholster my grandmother’s wing back chair using the same fabric. I found a guy via craigslist who sells the anthro fabrics, and I have just been freaked out about tackling it. Of course, ever since I have planned this, my palette has changed. Go figure.
My husband has banned any new projects from entering our house until I finish (well, start and then finish!) the motley collection of chairs that I already have. So I really need to get going with that. I made the mistake of stopping by Jubilee Furniture last week, and ended up wandering about wistfully gazing at chairs that just needed a bit of paint and new upholstery…
I would love to win this book! It would let be much more adventurous on craiglist!
That book is awesome! If I don’t win it, I’m definitely going to go out hunting for it. I wish she was hosting classes in California :O(
The timing couldn’t be more perfect! I just picked up TWO vintage chairs upholstered in orange tweed. They are in desperate need of a make over and I don’t have a clue where to start!
I’d love to win a copy of this book. I have a chair I don’t love, but could live with, if I could reupholster it myself. Winning the book would also make my husband happy that he doesn’t have to hear me complain about the chair anymore…
I’d love this!
Oh, I would LOVE this book. I have several chairs that are begging for new upholster, but I’m too chicken to try it.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Awesome. I have 3 chairs in waiting for new upholstery! Bring it on.
I have a sofa that desperately needs to be reupholstered. I am scared, but honestly, how hard could it be? Maybe the book would be enough motivation for me to try?
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. I picked up two vintage chairs upholstered in orange tweed. They are in desperate need of a make-over and I haven’t a clue how to do it!
I agree…there are so many conflicting sets of instructions out there…this book looks great!
Pick me! It’s already on my Christmas wish list, and I can’t wait to give it a try!
Would love this book. We have a habit of collecting furniture to recover one day…the whole basement is full of it……including an 8ft church pew that needs reupholstered.
I love that there is an online book tour for this – such a novel concept!
I would love to get this book for my mother for Christmas. She has been talking about learning to reupholster furniture for years!
Pick Me! I’ve destroyed a few upholstery jobs :)
Would love this!
I would love to win this book. After watching every season of Sarah’s House, Sarah 101, etc…all I want to do is buy awesome thrift store furniture and reupholster it in my chicago loft!
i wonder if i could reupholster my whole sofa…
This is a great book. Very detailed and easy to follow. Love it!
Adore Spruce – beautiful shop and lovely people! Hope to get my hands on their new book soon! I need the help… my upholstery skills consist of fabric glue with a knack for picking out pretty fabric. ;-)
Love your fabric choices!!
I’ve been dying to try an upholstered headboard! This would be a big help :)
Sounds awesome! Upholstery has always been completely intimidating to me!
I bought a chair 2 years ago with the intent to upholster and keep chickening out! Would love to read this book and see how it’s done – the right way!
I just saw the trailer last month and recommended the book to our local library ! Can’t wait thread it , I have 2 wing back chairs to work on
One of my cats keeps peeing on my overstuffed chair. I’d love to know how to reupholster it myself!
Pick meeeeeee! I love Amanda and all things Spruce.
I have so much old furniture I want to reupholster. I’d love this book!
So glad this book is out!! I have to reupholster my craigslist treasures and there are no upholstry classes in my area.
I have several sets of chairs that are crying out to be reupholstered. This book would be so helpful!!
Needing to reupholster an ottoman.
this book looks amazing! good luck on the bed!
I have a basement full of projects waiting for me to pay the big bucks for re-upholstery *or* for me to DIy. Yup, I would love this book. And my husband would too. Too many chairs in his man space.m
I have a 14 foot sofa re-upholstery project I’ve been procrastinating on – my usual approach of winging it seems a little foolish for a job that big. This book might be all I need…and a little courage.
Oh my god! This could not have come at a better time! I have a 70’s ugly dusty polyester tweed sectional in my basement that I picked up at a thrift store for $40 because of it’s great lines (exactly the same as the red sofa pictured in the book, but with an additional love seat piece as well), and I’ve been getting up the nerve to try and figure out how to reupholster it! This book looks awesome. I guess if i don’t win I’ll have to buy it anyway…;)
I NEED this book! I have a chair that I’ve been saving for reupholstery just as soon as I figure out what I’m doing. I know it can be beautiful, but my husband doesn’t have my vision. I’ve had to save it from the dumpster more than once. I hope I can prove him wrong.
Oh the things I could upholster. Oh the things.
I would love to learn more about reupholstering! There are too many sad couches out there.
Perfect timing – I was just debating a pair of chairs on Craigslist but am intimidated by the reupholstery project.
I would love this book! Can’t wait to see your headboard project…I’d like to tackle an arm chair.
This would be a great book for me – definitely need some confidence in this area!
Would love to win, I am dying to take on my dining room chairs
YES! It’s on my 30 before 30 list (countdown to turning 30) of things to accomplish (by April!)
I NEED to learn to reupholster something!
Thanks for the tip about SPRUCE!
I found a chair off the side of the road that I’m hoping to reupholster. This book would be a huge help!
always was intrigued by the idea of giving furniture new life by upholstering
I’d love to learn how to upholster!
I so need this book! I am the owner of one very ugly chair that I love despite its ugliness.
Nicole, we can’t wait to see how you end up upholstering your bed! Is it just the headboard? Cute fabric! Thanks for writing about Spruce! It’s great to see so many people interested in upholstery!
Upholstering can be a lot of fun if you have the time and patience as it requires a lot of work too.
Thanks for sharing
I think everyone has an item (or five) that is waiting around to be reupholstered. I know I do!!
How perfect, I’ve been wanting to reupholster my chair for months! I even have the fabric, just too intimidated to get started!
I need this book! Thanks for sharing.
I have two chairs and a sofa hanging out in my attic waiting for me to get the nerve to reupholster them! Maybe this book could help me!
I’d love to have that book! I’ve long admired her work.
What a great book! I tried to reupholster last year without any tutorial and it went ok – can’t wait to see what this book has to offer!
I would love to redo two pieces of our furniture- but i’m just too nervous! Both pieces have been in our family for multiple generations and I would hate for it to not look amazing.
awesome giveaway!
Am planning on reupholstering an old chair for the first time…this book would really come in handy!!
Oh my!.. this would be so exciting to have!. After making a pretty great tuffted headboard for my bed (with individual buttons) and an ‘ok’ slip cover for a three seater lounge (made one afternoon in a mad rush ). I thought I could attempt to recover my collection of well loved chairs. I have a beautiful but threadbare club chair, two vintage tub chairs, an office chair and a mid-century timber/leather chair that I want to rejuvenate (can’t help collecting these things!!). I made a start on the club chair and got so confused with all the joints I packed it all up and tucked the fabric away. If you where so kind as to donate this book to me, I would: 1. promise to finish ALL my projects (including not chair related ones) and 2. promise to send you progress pics.
Thank you thank you thank you!! (in advance :))
I hope I win! But if I don’t, I’m definitely asking Santa for this book!
I would LOVE to win this book! I have tons of stuff I could reupholster if I had a but of a self-confidence booster!
This book looks amazing! Just what I need…
OH man, do I ever need this!
I’ve been itching to try a reupholstery project. This would be perfect.
Love the fabric you chose for your manly little man:) I need this book-ready to do my own guest room upholstered headboard project. Good luck to you, and me!
I have a much loved thrift store chair from college that I am DYING to reupholser! Fifteen years on, I think it’s time for a change.
Would love to check out this book!
I so need this book! I have so many chairs 6 to be exact that I need to recover for patio and this book would be the game changer I need! lol :)
OMG, i need this book! I keep biting off more than i can chew with my thrift store finds :)
Please let us see August’s headboard when you’re finished! And share how the process went!
We have two drab-y beige-y couches left over from my husband’s single days that I would love to recover!
What fun! Pick me! I am working to re-cover 4 matching chairs from the 1930’s.
This book looks amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
Cool giveaway! Can’t wait to check out the book.
I would love this book!! I have a coupon projects I want to tackle as a first timer too!
I would love this book!
Oooh, exciting! I have two Ikea Tullsta chairs in desperate need of some help!
I need this book! We just got re-upholstery quotes for our super-comfy, 80’s-era round armchair and they are appallingly expensive!
Love that fabric!
These two tutorials are pretty good.
http://www.livingprettyblog.com/2011/12/upholstered-bed-reveal-tutorial.html
and
http://manhattan-nest.com/2010/07/23/a-whole-mess-of-staples/
I haven’t tried upholstery but I would love too! Pick me!
My days of hacking upholstery jobs could be over? I need skills! Thanks!
if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!!!
I got it in my head that I wanted to re-upholster a chair a few years ago. I bought a $25 thrift chair and got to work. IT WAS SO HARD! But, surprisingly, it looked good when I was done. I didn’t keep it because the fabric choice was bad, bad, bad. My next re-upholstery project was a little sofa for our bedroom. I took everything I had learned with the chair and applied it to my sofa project and IT WASN’T HARD AT ALL. We love having a little sofa in our bedroom and it only cost about $200.
This book looks really great!
What a great book! And the fabric is amazing.
I have so many projects in the works; this book sure would come in handy!
Super cute fabric! I have 4 dining room chairs that need work desperately.
They go with a really cool lucite and glass table.
I’ve upholstered a headboard and chairs with webbing but I’d love to dig in to harder projects with this book.
Hip hip hooray. I would love to rock some upholstery skills.
I’ve always wanted to tackle some upholstery projects!
Oooo, I hope I win. I have a vintage Paoli rocking chair that’s begging, and a professional job is outside my budget. I would totally rip into that myself!
I’d love to try reupholstering a project! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m so excited about this book! Thanks for offering up the giveaway. I’ve done dining chairs before but I want to tackle a slipper or occasional chair – or a sofa!
What a great book. My husband and I are building a bench that I’m going to attempt to upholster and tuft. This would be a great resource.
Huh. I think this book may give me enough courage to finally reupholster the hideous (but super comfortable) floral couch I have.
I love makeovers! I took an upholstery class last century, and was so proud of myself for reworking one of my Grandma’s chairs. Now if only I had continued to use that knowledge. I definitely need a refresh!
I would love to take on an upholstery project. I hope I win.
Oh, goody – I have a window seat I need to reupholster and this would be tremendously helpful!
Love “The Captain’s Retreat”!
I’ve got a chair that was in my Grandparent’s living room and I’ve been wanting to reupholster it for years. I’m kinda scared of doing it…this book would be so great to have during the process.
I would love to learn how to re-cover a Victorian recliner, love the chair but hate the cover.
I picked a neutral fabric for the upholstered bed I bought a few years ago.
But now, deep purple is calling my name – and this book, too!
Love, love this opportunity, thanks for offering it!
The book looks great!
I always vastly over estimate my upholstering abilities when I take on projects. This is exactly what I need.
What a great book! I hope I win, so I can start my projects….
So excited! Must pick this up even if I don’t win!
I have tons of tutorials and examples pinned for a headboard for our bed, so this would be awesome!
I’ve been wanting to learn upholstery forever. I have lots of big ambitions for old chairs, but no skills to back it up (yet)!
I would love to be able to upholster my grandma’s chairs so I can then actually use them!
I have a whole list of upholstery projects I want to dive into, I just need to find the time…
Ooooo would I love this! I have a chair I love that I will one day attempt to re-upholster, and this book would make that day come much sooner.
Great giveaway!! This would come in really handy for a few projects I have up my sleeve for our new home :)
Would love to try this!
I was just looking for upholstering resources. I was given an antique couch in very bad condition that I would love to recover.
Perfect timing.
I have a foot stool and wingback arm chair that need reupholstering, as well as a daybed that has some funky spring mattress that makes it domed–not ideal if your hoping to nap.
I will admit I’ve always been more wary of trying to choose the upholstery fabric than the actual reupholstering. Perhaps because in 5 years I’ve never gotten past the fabric choice.
Good luck on your son’s bed. I’ve signed up for an upholstery class starting in January (unfortunately I live in a state that only offers 1 class every 3 months with 6 slots available, no joke!). I’m chomping at the bit to get started! Look forward to hearing what you thought of the process & the seeing the end project.
Pick me, please!!
I have wanted to learn for a while, but it always scared the shit out of me! I know its just fabric but the sewing part always intimidated me. But, I would love to learn and if Nicole says this book is legit it has to be. So pick me, please!! :)
PS> That lamp is awesome!
I have like 15 projects on deck but 0 experience. A book like that would come in handy.
I would love to win!
I have two chairs from the 40s that I have wanted to reupholster for years. This book would be perfect!
I have a chair that was salvaged from my hometown high school’s band hall before it was torn down to make way for a new facility. It is probably from the 70’s – (torn) brown Naugahyde with wooden arms and legs – but it has good bones! I’ve had it for nearly 10 years and have been dying to do something with it, but am afraid to start. Help me!
My couch can certainly use this book. Thanks!
I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to have this. I have such ideas already!
So many upholstery projects on the docket. I can think of 4 in the living room alone!
I bought an amazing 1950’s couch last year intending to have it reupholstered and my dog had to have surgery, so every spare dime went to that, and now it’s still sitting in my parents garage. :-(
I have always dreamed of rescuing the world’s ugly chairs through reupholstery!
This looks great. Yes, please!
I would love this, upholstery is a passion of mine.
i have two chairs that would LOVE for me to get ahold of this book! ;)
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this book in order to reupholster a chair I received from Freecycle.
I have a couple mid-century sofa’s that I’ve stripped to the springs, now I’m lost as to what to do! This book sounds like the tool I need to finally get those things useful again.
The first project I’d like to tackle is the giant storage ottoman that is currently sucking the soul out of our living room. This book would be so helpful!!
I would love a copy of this book! We have a chair that I would love to reupholster, and I’d love to try it out.
I have a lot of things that need reupholstering in my house, yet I have no clue how to do it.
I have couches in the wings waiting to be rescued!
Oh, this book has been on my wish list! I have a wing chair I bought through Craig’s List YEARS ago, that I want to reupholster. I even have the fabric. What I don’t have is experience or confidence. I could use this book!
Lots of good press for this book! Anxious to read it / use it myself. Have a great day
I have a chair that I am trying to figure out how to reupholster, this book would definitely be helpful!
I have 2 wingback chairs that I want to tackle and I have no idea where to start. And my library doesn’t have this book so I would love to add it to my collection!
I’ve been looking for a comprehensive, easy to understand upholstery book, and this looks perfect!
Oooh, I’d love this book. I attempted to re-upholster an antique sofa and did a pretty bad job. It needs to be re-done properly.
Iam very excited about this book
I have this book on hold at at the library! Waiting for two more people to check it out first. I would love to own it as I am planning to tackle two chairs and a bench cushion.
Oh, boy, could I use some help here. I dream of being able to do my own upholstery.
I really want to learn how to do this!
I have a couple of chairs that I would love to reupholster, as well as an ottoman. The book looks great!
I love the fabric you chose. Great choice for a boy’s room.
Would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to learn more about upholstry, and have been considering purchasing this book. Winning the book would make my day! :)
Good luck with your bed project — I look forward to hearing how the process went for you.
Trading spaces is how I learned all of my upholstery skills too! haha It also helped when I needed to stretch canvases in college-life skills I tell you!
Love the trading spaces reference! This book would be great for a couch project I’m undertaking.
i’d really love a copy of this book! upholstery intrigues me
+ i’d love to learn how to do it correctly!
Wow! What an amazing book, and I am so happy to see you use that IKEA fabric that I have been eyeing ever since it appeared in the Swedish catalog (IKEA’s new things come out a month or two earlier in Sweden, so my mom sends me her catalog). Looking forward to seeing what the headboard will look like!
I’ve always wanted to learn how to upholster. This book would be great.
I would love to learn upholstery!
I LOVE THAT YOU CONNECTED WITH SPRUCE!
I’ve been watching them for years now!!! This is the best team, ok, I’m done being overly excited. Why do you do this to me Nicole? Stop with the awesomeness.
I wish this came out years ago when I tried to reupholster my wingback and made some tufted headboards.
I’m loving the Young House Love direction it’s taking too, maybe more of this stuff as you tackle the house!
Comment!
PICK ME! PICK ME!!!
The wifey wants this book to put me to work ;)
What an awesome giveaway!
This would come in handy for some project around the house :)
I love your blog! And this book :)
What fun! I see new purpose in visiting garage sales :)
This book looks great!
I have a couch project that I am about to embark on and this book would be an awesome place for me to start! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have several found curbside ‘ugly’ chairs that are awaiting upholstery, so this book would be an ‘excellent’ resource to start with!
I have 2 thrift store couches that I’d love to try my hand at. Love the shape and structure of them, would love a different fabric, though. Thanks for the chance! Love your blog :)
Oh wow! I would love a copy of this book. I would love to try to reupholster something fun!!
Is there an uglist sofa contest? Cuz I’d win that by a landslide! Think 80s oversized floral on a cream background. It used to have a skirt around the bottom, but my then-puppy tore it off. I can’t say I disagree with him. The kicker is that we can’t get rid of it for “sentimental” reasons. Must.reupholster.
Ohh-la-la! I have two hand-me-down grandma chairs from my mother (who got them from her mother) that are screaming for some assistance. Momma reupholstered them in the early 80’s…and boy, does it show! We’re talking scrolly powdery-blue damask here! They went with the candy striper pink love seat she used to have.
GAH!
This book looks AMAZING! Need it
I would love to win this book. It looks amazing!
Wow, I could really use that book! I have been hoarding craiglist and dumpster dive finds for about 4 years now, waiting for my extensive remodeling project to be done so I can finally decorate! The only thing is that I have a very rudimentary idea of how to reupholster. So…that could be a problem :)
Wow! I would love this book. I have never reupholstered but would love to try it with my Grandpa’s old high-back chair. Thanks!
That book looks amazing- I have several chairs to recover, and my Grandma’s wingback I would love love love to reupholster.
I need that book! I am in the process of my first reupholstering project and I am pretty sure there are a few…or lots of tips I could use.
That book looks amazing. I have only done some basic slip covers. I am excited to see how the bed turns out!
I have 20 yards of that Ikea fabric and a couch that wants to be a log jam.Spruce book could help.
Would love a copy of the book!
I would love this book! I have always thought about reupholstering a sette (sp?) I love but am not a huge fan of the fabric. Although my Aunt might kill me if she finds out I have changed it (it was hers). :)
Oh my I need that book immediately. I have a pile of chairs that we have picked up from yard sales, craigslist and the side of the road. Putting this on my xmas list either way.
We are moving in 3 weeks and I know I need some inspiration
Awesome. Love that video ( can’t quite get over her adorable truck, it’s upholstery, her adorable dog and that whole first sequence. :) Love the fabric you chose for his headboard too….I have some things I need to redo, definitely adding this book to my collection!
xo
Melis
I’d love a copy of that book – upholstery is something I’ve been so excited about, and so intimidated by. What a great way to learn a new skill!
This is awesome! YEARS ago, I bought this really cool MCM chair at a garage sale for $5, but haven’t been able to use it because I have NO IDEA how to reupholster the seat cushions, which are still rocking the original barf-orange scratchy tweed fabric and a thick layer of garage dust. Gross. Anyway, this would be the perfect motivation to actually do it! :)
Woo hoo! I need this book! I would love to make my upholstery project look more professional!
I have a chair that I’ve been carting around for 16 years, and I’m still optimistic that I will actually reupholster it! This book might actually make it happen!
My bed is in desperate need of an upholstered headboard, hopefully this could be a good jumping off point for me too!
I have upholstered seat cushions before, but never a whole chair. Now it’s time for my favorite armchair from childhood to receive a make-over, and I don’t have a whole lot of money to pay someone who knows what they’re doing! I have the fabric all picked out, but I am putting it off because I don’t want to make a mistake. So I could really use this book… :-)
The Spruce book is already on my amazon wishlist. I have some dumpster dive finds that desperately need to be reupholstered!
I have always wanted to learn to upholster things…tried before and wasn’t a success. Hoping this book can help me out!
Oooooh I have 2 vintage chairs to recover and have made a start by cutting the skirt off one to see how the legs look skirt free. I have no clue where to go from here, this book would perhaps steer me in the right direction.
what a great giveaway!
The book looks amazing! And, I love the fabric for the bedroom. I think it’s going to all come together.
We bought a chair at an estate sale a few months back that is in dire need of a makeover. I would love to have a copy of this book and try to reupholster the chair on my own instead of paying big bucks for someone else to do it.
I desperately need to re-upholster my couch. I thrifted it for $15, because it had a tear in the arm and the back, but in otherwise perfect condition, and when I looked up the brand, it’s a made in the USA, several thousand dollar couch. Score! Except…professional re-upholstery is SO not in the budget any time soon, so it’s got a terribly ill-fitting cover on it right now. I’m about to just start ripping in and figuring it out as I go, but I’m also fairly certain I’ll ruin it.
We’re living on a budget and trying to use what we have but the print on our sofa is making me see spots. I’d love to try re-upholstering.
This book would be so timely!!!!
Great choice with the Ikea log fabric, I love it! I’m stuck on fabric selection and how to go about upholstering an old chair that was my great grandmothers. This book would be a wonderful help! Thank you!
I have been seeing that book everywhere! I think it’s calling my name, or maybe that’s just the sound of the three stripped chairs in the basement that I have NO idea how to reupholster!
This would be so helpful
This book looks amazing! I’ve got 2 sofas that could use some love & have been feeling tentative about starting a project of that scale. Maybe this book will push me to get going! Thanks for the great updates – your home is lovely.
I love trolling craigslist for unique furniture pieces that need a little bit of tlc and reupholstering is one of my favorite ways to breathe new life into old furniture. I would love to get a copy of this book to learn a few tricks on reupholstering.
i dream of reupholstering all sorts of lovely pieces, both new and old (currently i have a chair that needs a new cover on it’s seat cushion). however i’m right at about the same level of upholstering knowledge as you…probably lower, if i’m honest. this book looks fantastic–like it contains all kinds of motivation and confidence-building for me to take on some of these projects.
I have a lazy boy recliner in my daughter’s nursery that desperately needs to be reupholstered. It currently has a store bought slip cover but needs proper attention. I have the fabric picked out and googled a few tutorials but nothing made me confident enough to actually take the time to rip off the fabric and give it a go. I think this book is exactly the key to making this chair in to a beautiful and functional piece.
This book looks amazing! I have two couches that need reupholstering-one is vintage and the other my cat took a liking to!
I definitely want to add upholstery to my tool kit of skills – but like you right now I’m stuck at recover dining chair seats.
Looks like a great book!
would love this book – lovely colours and good looking projects… fingers are already itching to get stared… :-)
Love the fabric for the headboard! And the book!
This book looks amazing! I have a chair in my bedroom with a blanket thrown over it to hide the awful state it’s in. I would love to give it a new life.
Me! Me! Me! I have so many projects waiting to be recovered! Oh, and I’m loving the manly polka dots, by the way!
Oh, this would be sooo helpful! I have more than a few, uh hem, projects that need to be completed. I’d probably start with a few chairs, gain some confidence and finally tackle my aunt’s old settee. Thanks for the giveaway!
How cool! My mom and I plan on reupholstering her couch, this would really help!
My house (in truth mostly my garage) is in desperate need of a Spruce intervention. I know under Amanda’s tutelage I have a chance of returning the car to its rightful place and filling my home with all the lovelies just waiting to be reupholstered!
Looks like a great book!! I’ve been wanting to learn for a while, in fact I have a chair waiting!
I would love a copy of this book! I have a few upholstery projects I want to do but have been too nervous to start. I really think this book would help.
Ive always been interested and a little intimidated about learning to reupholster things. Haven’t been able to find local classes so I would love the book.
This looks like a beautiful book full of valuable information regarding upholstery!
Doing some serious upholstery is on my bucket list, I guess you could say. I would love to apprentice with an upholsterer, or even just volunteer my assistant services for a couple weeks to learn a little about the trade.
I so agree with what Amanda says in the video. There are so many existing pieces of furniture that just need a refresh. Why not show them some love rather than buying junk from big box stores all the time?
Would love to have this book. If I don’t win it, I think it will go on my holiday gift list!
Oh Hildi! It was after many Trading Spaces episodes that I decided I could reupholster our couch in college, in a tacky turquoise of course! I was marginally successful, and would love this book to help me try again :)
I saw this book in The Strand bookstore in NYC last weekend, and was hoping to ask for a copy for Christmas…winning a copy would be super awesome! I would love to learn to reupholster, I have a chair in my garage just waiting for me to hone my skills! Thanks for the opportunity! Your new house is beautiful by the way!
I would love to learn this skill!
I would love to learn this! Having something broken down to steps makes it seem much more approachable for me. Good luck with August’s bed! I can’t wait to see it!
How lovely! Hope I’m not to late!
This book sounds amazing! My mother and grandmother used to re-upholster pieces. There most amazing work was with some very french tufted sets. I’d love to learn how to do this.
I have a set of wing back chairs that were my grandparents. Re-upholstering them has been one of my dreams.
I recently rescued a horrible pink chaise from Craigslist and can’t wait to reupholster it in some fabulous fabric. I would love to DIY it, but fear I lack the skills required!
Perfect! I just bought a beautiful/ugly chair at Goodwill for four bucks, and rather spend the grand I was quoted to have it redone (seriously??) I’ve decided to try to reupholster it myself. This book would be PERFECT!!! (Especially since I have no idea what I’m doing, and so far the instructions I’ve found basically say: undo everything, take a lot of photos, cut new fabric, and reassemble– I need a bit more detail, I believe!)
I would be so ecstatic to win this book! I would have so much fun if I had this skill!!
Hi!
Just wondered if you’d chosen the winner yet?
Thanks M
Can’t wait to see how your project turns out! Would love to win this book.
what really caught my eye was that kelly green quilt. Where did you get it? (its gorgeous)
Thanks! I got it at the Land of Nod outlet in Naperville. It’s been discontinued on the site though (which is why it was on clearance there).
Wow, over 300 comments! That’s amazing! Thanks again for blogging about Spruce. If you or your readers are so inclined, please write a comment about Spruce on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spruce-Step-Step-Upholstery-Design/dp/1612121373