Ask yourself, has the stitching come undone? Or has the leather, vinyl, or fabric torn along the seam, but the stitching is still in place?
For stitching that’s come undone, you can fix it with a simple sewing method, which is a common approach in upholstery repair.
For a torn seam, the repair is trickier and might need subpatching, a technique often used in vinyl upholstery repair and a key part of any vinyl & leather repair service. This method can sometimes lead to re-tearing, depending on how bad the damage is. In such cases, seeking a professional leather restoration or vinyl patching service can provide more durable results. Additionally, consider a leather cleaning service and leather conditioning to maintain the integrity of your materials. If your furniture requires more extensive care, furniture repair services can help restore it to its original condition.
Re-stitch a Seam
You will need scissors, needle-nose pliers, a curved needle, heavy-duty upholstery thread, and maybe a thimble. Use upholstery thread because regular thread will break easily. Note: We recommend this product and earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate if you use our link to buy.
Use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible or blind stitch) to fix the seam.
- Thread the needle with a knot on one end. Use single thread in case you need to remove a few stitches.
- Insert your needle into the center of the torn seam and come up through a stitch hole where the original seam is still intact. Pliers may help if the leather is thick.
- If there are loose threads, tie them to the knotted end of your new thread.
- Move your needle across the seam and dive into the hole opposite the one you just came through. A thimble or pliers may help push the needle through, but be careful not to break it.
- Guide your needle along the seam and up through the next hole.
- Jump across the seam again and go into the next hole. Leave the thread loose for now; you’ll tighten it at the end.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 until the seam is closed. Do a few extra stitches beyond the end of the tear to make sure the original stitching doesn’t pull out.
- Stop when your needle and thread come up through a stitch hole.
- Gently pull the thread from the starting point. It might take a few passes to tighten it so the thread isn’t visible.
- Tie a knot in the thread near the new stitches. If needed, tie any loose threads with it.
- Re-thread the needle and hide the knot in the center of the seam. Come up at least 1-2 inches down the seam. Pull tight and cut the thread so the cut is hidden.
Patching Along a Seam
If the leather, vinyl, or fabric is torn but the stitching is still good, you’ll need a patch. Gather these supplies: denim or fabric patch, flexible fabric glue, scissors, tweezers, a palette knife or similar tool for large tears, or a big needle or toothpick for small tears, a wooden block or weight, and optionally a hair dryer. Have alcohol and rags ready for cleaning up excess glue.