Learn how to reupholster a chair with these basic techniques that give your furniture a fresh look.
Measuring all the pieces and cord lengths will help determine how much fabric you should probably reupholster a chair.
When in doubt, err on the side of too much fabric so you don’t come up short.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Photograph the chair before you strip the original covering, taking full-length and detailed photos for reference.
Remove the pieces and mark each with its location on the chair with a marking pen.
Note on each piece the location of welting and where pieces are sewn together.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Save pieces of welting and tack strips to use as a measure for new pieces.
Replace Batting
If worn or stained, remove old batting from chair back and seat.
Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick batting to cover the chair back and seat, if needed.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Cover the chair back first, stapling it down.
Next, cover the seat with batting in the same way, folding neatly around the corners.
This will give you fabric to grasp when stapling; the original pieces were trimmed after they were stapled.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Repeat this process to cut out each fabric section.
Transfer the markings for direction, welting, and seams onto the new pieces with chalk.
Place the fabric sections together inside out and sew them together, adjusting for curves as needed.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Use as many staples as necessary to secure the fabric and keep it smooth.
Be sure you place staples on the back of the chair where the back panel will cover them.
Tuck excess fabric under at the corners.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Cut enough2-inch-widebias strips to equal that length, allowing a few extra inches.
Join the strips with diagonal seams and trim the seam allowance to 1/2 inch.
Fold the bias strip around the cord and use a zipper foot to sew in place.
Credit: Jay Wilde
The welting will go around the bottom of the seat apron.
Mark the position for the bottom welting.
For a finished edge, fold the end of the piping under before attaching.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Add a tack strip around the panel top against the welting and staple in place.
Snip notches in the fabric underneath the seat as you smooth around corners.
Tuck any excess fabric underneath using aflathead screwdriver.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Apply a tack strip to the top of the back rear and staple in place.
Fold the panel back over the strip and pull tight toward the bottom of the chair back.
Fold bottom edge under and staple to the underside of the chair back.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
If using a cover for the back, slip it over the chair back.
Pull the fabric tight and staple to the frame where previously attached.
Tuck under raw edges where visible.
Reassemble the chair if needed.
Trim any excess string or fabric.
Use fabric glue or decorative upholstery tacks to secure excess fabric to the back of the reupholstered chair.
Turn right-side up, and enjoy your newly reupholstered chair.
You canupdate backsplash tileswith peel-and-stick products, too.
DIY decor is a creative and budget-friendly way to infuse your home with your personality.
For living room chairs, look for medium to heavy-duty fabric (10,000-30,000+ rubs).
The regulations do not apply if you reupholster your own furniture or hire someone to do so.
One trend is the use of digital knitting, a process that combines technology and knitting.
The result is a single piece of 3D-knitted upholstery that is designed to fit your chair or other furniture.
“Upholstery Fire Standards.”
“Fits Like A Glove: The Perfect Pairing of Textile and Furniture.”
Business + Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.
