Tufting is a process where you add buttons to the surface of the upholstered piece of furniture to make diamond- or square-shaped clusters from the fabric. A collection of buttons placed equidistant offset or apart in rows and secured tightly form the shapes at the collectible item via the layers of polyurethane, lining and fabric. Tufting upholstery techniques are applied to upholstered headboards, sofa and seat backs, seat cushions and even throw pillows.

Put the cut-to-fit fiberfill batting over the foam following cutting holes in it to match the present holes in the foam when reupholstering a couch or chair without inserting new foam. Polyurethane foam cushioning in upholstery has a long lifetime and rarely needs replacing unless it was damaged.

Cut fabric to your button faces using the template on the upholstery button bundle. Cover the button with the cut piece of fabric, folding the edge under it, pushing it to position on the teeth of the bottom of the button cap with the eraser end of a pencil. Secure the button back, snapping it in place as you sandwich the fabric tightly between the back and cover. Repeat for all of the buttons needed.

Put the upholstery fabric over the existing foam, cut in order that you’ve at least 6 inches of fabric to bend over the back and sides of the couch or seat to attach it with the staple gun. The fabric has to be broad enough and long enough to cover the foam without over-tightening it once you pull and staple it to the back and sides of the seat or couch. Mark the button places on the fabric gently so you know where to set the buttons by aligning these places with the existing holes in the foam.

Thread the upholstery needle with the button twine. Tie the twine on the button so that it doesn’t come off, threading its tail during the marked location on the fabric and also through the hole at the batting, the foam and via any other layers at the piece of furniture. Pull it through to the other hand. Press down on the button till you achieve the desired thickness and tuft; pull the twine taut to keep the button set up. While holding the taut line, secure the twine to the wooden frame by stapling it set up. It could take more than one staple to keep the twine from pulling through the staple, so do not enable the twine go until you know it won’t loosen.

Repeat for all buttons. Smooth out the fabric between buttons before securing another button set up. The fabric naturally forms pleats, but you might want to bend them in position to keep them tidy as you include buttons and tension. Keep all buttons in the same thickness as the initial one secured.

Pull the fabric edges to the bottom taut, without over-tightening, and secure in position against the frame with the staple gun. Preserve the pleated places from the buttons over the surface of the seat or couch back to the other hand. Fold the fabric in precisely the same direction for each button at the top row and fasten the bend to the bottom by stapling.

Cut a piece of fabric to fit the back of the couch or seat with enough edge to bend under all of the way round the perimeter to make the back have a finished appearance. Secure in position with upholstery tacks, even though you probably won’t notice it when you set the seat or couch against the wall. Hammer the upholstery tacks no longer than 1 or two inches apart, keeping the fabric tight since you fasten the nails.