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Remove Old Fabric for Chair Reupholstery
Begin your chair reupholstery project by carefully disassembling the chair as needed. The key here is to gently remove the existing upholstery fabric pieces, being extra cautious not to tear them. These old fabric pieces will serve as your templates for cutting the new upholstery fabric.
Before you completely strip away the original covering, it’s incredibly helpful to take detailed reference photos of the chair. Capture full-length shots and close-ups. These photos will be invaluable later when you’re reassembling everything and need a visual guide to how it was originally put together.
Start by removing the black dust cover fabric from the underside of the chair. Then, carefully detach the upholstery pieces that are secured to the chair frame. As you remove each piece, use a marking pen to label it with its exact location on the chair. For instance, label pieces as “outside back,” “right side back,” “left side back,” “inside back,” “seat,” and “seat sides.” To further ensure correct orientation, mark “T” for the top or “F” for the front on each piece.
On each removed fabric piece, make notes indicating the placement of any welting and where different pieces are sewn together. Save any welting and tack strips that are in good condition; these can be used as guides for measuring and creating new pieces.
Learn crucial tips for furniture reupholstery projects.
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Replace Batting and Inspect Chair Structure
Assess the condition of the batting on the chair back and seat. If it’s worn, stained, or flattened, remove the old batting. At this stage, thoroughly inspect the chair’s springs and webbing for any signs of damage. Repair or replace these components if necessary to ensure a sturdy and comfortable finished chair. If you wish to refresh the chair frame or legs, now is the ideal time to sand, prime, and paint them. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding with reupholstery. Find expert tips on how to paint wood furniture like a pro.
Cut new batting to size. If needed, cut pieces of 1/2-inch thick batting to cover the chair back and seat. Begin with the chair back, stapling the new batting securely in place. When stapling, gently pull on the batting around each staple to prevent the staples from creating visible indents on the surface. The goal is for the staple to sink slightly into the batting, not compress it excessively. Repeat this process for the chair seat, applying batting in the same manner and folding it neatly around the corners for a smooth finish.
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Create New Upholstery Fabric Patterns
Lay out your old upholstery pieces, wrong-side up, on the wrong side of your chosen new upholstery fabric. Pay close attention to the fabric’s grain, and the placement and direction of any patterns or motifs. Pin the old fabric pieces to the new fabric to secure them. Carefully cut around each pattern piece, leaving an extra 2 to 3 inches of fabric beyond the stapled edges of the original pieces. This extra fabric allowance is crucial; it provides material to grip when you’re stapling the new fabric to the chair frame. Remember, the original pieces were trimmed after stapling, so this extra allowance is necessary for a professional finish.
Repeat this pattern-making and cutting process for each fabric section required for your chair. Transfer all markings for direction, welting placement, and seam locations from the old pieces to the new fabric pieces using chalk. Accuracy at this stage ensures a well-fitted upholstery job.
For a more streamlined approach, consider combining individual chair reupholstery pieces into larger covers for the seat and back. This can simplify the application process. To do this, place the corresponding fabric sections together, inside out, and sew them together. Adjust for curves and contours as needed to create a cohesive cover that fits the chair snugly. Explore different types of upholstery fabrics to make the best choice for your chair. Find the best sewing machine for your upholstery projects.
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Attach the Base Upholstery Fabric
Position the new inside back, right-side back, and left-side back fabric pieces onto the chair in their correct locations. Use the “T” markings you made and your reference photos to guide you. Pin these pieces together temporarily, making any adjustments needed to achieve a snug and proper fit. You may need to trim excess fabric to ensure a smooth, wrinkle-free application.
Once you’re satisfied with the fit, begin attaching the fabric. Pull the fabric taut and staple it securely in place on the apron of the chair seat. Use an ample number of staples to ensure the fabric is well-secured and remains smooth. Make sure to place staples on the back of the chair in areas that will be concealed by the back panel, hiding them from view in the finished piece. Trim any excess fabric after stapling.
If you opted to create a combined cover, apply the new cover to the seat base and adjust its positioning as necessary. Learn more about upholstery cleaning techniques. Pull the fabric taut, starting at the front edge and working towards the back, and staple it to the chair frame where the old cover was originally attached. At the corners, carefully tuck any excess fabric underneath to create a clean, professional look.
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Make Welting for a Professional Edge
Referencing your old welting pieces as a guide, determine the total length of welting required to go around both the top and bottom edges of the seat apron. Cut enough 2-inch-wide bias strips of your chosen fabric to equal this length, adding a few extra inches for seam allowances and adjustments. Learn how to accurately read a tape measure for precise cuts. Join the bias strips together with diagonal seams to create one continuous length. Trim the seam allowances to 1/2 inch to reduce bulk.
Fold the bias strip around the welting cord, encasing the cord centrally within the fabric strip. Use a zipper foot on your sewing machine to sew close to the cord, securing the fabric around it to create the welting. This welting will be applied around the bottom edge of the seat apron, providing a refined finish. Get detailed instructions on how to make welting for your DIY upholstery projects.
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Sew Welting to Chair Panels
Pin the side panel fabric piece to the seat fabric, carefully aligning edges. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit and check for pattern placement if you’re using patterned fabric. Mark the precise position for the bottom welting along the edge of the side panel where it will meet the seat.
Remove the side fabric panel from the chair. Sew the welting to the right side of this panel, applying it along the top edge and at the marked position near the bottom edge. Start and end the welting application at the back of the panel for a seamless finish at the rear of the chair. To create a clean, finished edge where the welting ends meet, fold the end of the piping under itself before attaching the final section, concealing the raw edge.
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Attach Chair Sides with Welting
Hold the right side panel up against the chair seat, aligning it correctly. Staple the top welting in place around the seat apron, securing the side panel to the chair frame. Position a tack strip along the top edge of the side panel, pressing it firmly against the welting you just stapled. Staple the tack strip in place.
Fold the side panel fabric down and over the tack strip, pulling it tightly to ensure a smooth, wrinkle-free side. Staple the fabric to the underside of the chair frame, ensuring the bottom welting fits snugly along the edge of the seat. As you smooth the fabric around corners underneath the seat, snip notches in the excess fabric to reduce bulk and allow for a smoother curve. Tuck any remaining excess fabric neatly underneath the chair using a flathead screwdriver to help push the fabric into tight spaces and create a clean edge. Explore different types of screwdrivers for your DIY projects. Discover the best electric screwdrivers for furniture projects.
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Attach the Chair Back Upholstery
Position the back panel fabric piece onto the chair back, ensuring correct alignment. Fold the right side edge of the panel over the top edge of the chair back frame. Apply a tack strip to the top of the chair back rear, positioning it along the folded fabric edge, and staple the tack strip firmly in place. Fold the fabric panel back over the tack strip, pulling it tightly downwards towards the bottom of the chair back to eliminate any slack. Fold the bottom edge of the back panel fabric under itself to create a clean hemmed edge, and then staple it to the underside of the chair back frame, securing it in place.
If you have made a slipcover-style back cover, carefully slip it over the chair back, ensuring it fits smoothly and snugly. Pull the fabric tight to eliminate wrinkles and staple it to the chair frame at the points where the old cover was originally attached. Tuck under any raw fabric edges that are visible to create a neat, professional finish.
Reassemble any chair components that you disassembled at the beginning of the reupholstery process. Trim any loose strings or excess fabric to finalize the look. For added security and a decorative touch, use fabric glue or decorative upholstery tacks to secure any remaining excess fabric to the back of the newly reupholstered chair.
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Attach Underside Dust Cover to Finish Chair Reupholstery
Cut a piece of black, breathable fabric for the underside dust cover of the chair. Use the old dust cover piece as your template to ensure the correct size and shape. Flip the chair upside down, exposing the underside. Staple the new dust cover fabric to the underside of the chair frame. This fabric serves to conceal any springs or webbing and acts as a protective dust cover, keeping the inner workings of your chair clean. Ensure the fabric is pulled tightly against the welting to create a neat edge and that it completely covers all raw edges of the upholstery fabric for a polished look. Turn your newly reupholstered chair right-side up and enjoy the refreshed look and comfort of your handiwork.
More DIY Decor Projects to Enhance Your Home
Now that you’ve mastered How To Reupholster A Chair, expand your DIY skills with other home decor updates. Refresh tired furniture with a coat of repaint furniture for a vibrant transformation. Add visual interest to cabinets or bookshelves by applying wallpaper the back of a cabinet or bookshelf with a bold pattern. For an inexpensive floor update, stencil a tile floor that looks worn. Or, use stencils to introduce designs to walls without the commitment of wallpaper.
If you’re intrigued by wallpaper, peel-and-stick wallpaper is an excellent option for experimenting with wall coverings without long-term commitment – simply remove it if you decide to change your decor. You can also easily update backsplash tiles using peel-and-stick products for a quick kitchen or bathroom refresh. DIY decor projects offer a creative and budget-friendly way to personalize your home and reflect your unique style.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chair Reupholstery
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How much does it cost to reupholster a chair?
Professional chair reupholstery costs vary widely. Expect to pay roughly $150-$600 for a dining room chair and $300-$1,200 for an armchair or wingback chair. DIY reupholstery is significantly cheaper, primarily costing the price of fabric (2 to 8 yards at about $20-$70 per yard) and other materials like staples and batting. -
When should you skip reupholstering a chair?
DIY reupholstery saves money, but if a chair has structural damage, requires new springs or webbing, the repair costs might exceed the chair’s value or the cost of replacement, making reupholstery less worthwhile. -
Which fabrics are best for chair reupholstery?
Choose mildew and fade-resistant fabrics like wool, poly blends, and leather. Avoid delicate fabrics such as silk, especially in homes with pets or children. Check the Wyzenbeek rating, indicating fabric abrasion resistance. For living room chairs, aim for medium to heavy-duty fabrics (10,000-30,000+ rubs). -
Do DIY upholstery projects need to meet federal fire standards?
Federal flammability standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission apply only to furniture intended for sale or giveaway. These regulations do not apply to reupholstering your own furniture or hiring someone to do it for you. -
What are current trends in upholstery fabric?
Digital knitting is a rising trend, combining technology with knitting to produce seamless, 3D-knitted upholstery designed specifically to fit furniture pieces like chairs.
