Upholstery and Fabrics - Need upholstery stitch help for replacing cat pee soaked cushion

Hi Everyone,

I have used this site for help before but I am having trouble finding help if I search for my latest issue.

My old cat decided to pee on the corner of my reclining sofa. Upon disassembly (removal of back from reclining mechanism), I found that the pee has soaked into the felt connecting the back to the seat (stapled) and well into the seat cushion corner.

After a few days of cleaning attempts with various chemicals, I gave up. So ... I used my box cutter and had at the felt and pulled out the cushion. The cushion is 24 x 24 x 4" and the entire rear right corner is stinky ... very bad. So ... I will buy a new foam piece for the cushion.

My real problem is stitching it back together. I can guess how to do the stitching but I was wondering if someone has a link or can explain how to do a good upholstery stitch. I have full access and can lay the new felt on the leather and stitch both together. I just need to understand the stitch method.

Any help is greatly appreciated, especially lessons learned of what not to do!

Thanks!

A cushion is always machine stitched since hand stitching won't take the stress of being sat on daily. If hand stitching is your only option, then use a ladder stitch which is what I use to hand close pillows, but be prepared to do this often because is will rip apart.
Click on the link below to see how a ladder stitch is done. The pic can be a little confusing but the space with the little stitches would be the opening between the two pieces of fabric and when you pull the thread tight, it will pull the fabrics together and you shouldn't see the stitches.
LADDER STITCH (http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/ladder.html)

ANOTHER ONE (http://www.classicstitches.com/main/knowHow.aspx?htID=113)

Thanks for the advice!

Unfortunately, I can't machine stitch unless I remove the leather seat and arm section from the wood frame. There are a lot of staples.

Regarding the hand ladder stitch, what is the best knot to end the stitch with? Also, should I run shorter stitch lengths to have more knots on a side? My thought is the more knots, the less ladder overall length per knot to come loose.

BTW ... after seeing the ladder stitch diagram (2nd link), I can see that the old stitches were ladder stitches. You are dead on there! Thanks!

I look forward to your knot reply

OK, you're only going to have one knot at the beginning and one knot at the end and the rest will just be one long running stitch. The first knot will be made before you start sewing by just making a regular type knot at the end. You'll start the stitch by coming up from the underside with your needle and that way the first knot will be hidden. Then you'll just continue back and forth making the ladder stitch. When you get to the end, you're going to stitch across the last stitch you made, again, and leave a loop, which you'll go thru to make a knot. Do that 2 or 3 times, then go back under the fabric with your needle and come out about an inch away (anywhere) and cut your thread there. This will hide the knot and keep the thread from coming undone.
Also if you can get some upholstery thread that would be best or else use either Coats & Clark Hand Quilting thread or Gutterman's poly thread, if possible.
This is much easier to do and show than it is to explain. If this isn't clear as mud :D let me know and I'll try to find something online so you can look.
btw, welcome to the forum!