Select a durable upholstery fabric and purchase fabric 20 inches wider and longer than the measurements of the chair seat. For example, the cost to reupholster a chair cushion may be less than $150, and it’s unlikely you can replace the entire chair for that amount. If you want to reupholster a dining chair, unscrew the seat from the bottom of the chair and remove any tacks or staples holding the fabric in place. F.R.R. Cut a strip of fabric on the 45 degree bias. Lay the poster board on top of a piece of 2-inch-thick upholstery foam. Place a piece of poster board on your chair seat. In most cases, you do not have to remove the existing padding, unless the padding is decaying or there is a strong odor. Placing a new cover over the chair seat will make the chair look updated and clean. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. How to Reupholster a Chair: Project Create is a nonprofit in New Orleans dedicated to promoting art and creativity in the entire community. Pull on the top layer of the batting to tear it close to the nail head to hide the head. Sew a diagonal seam from the top left to the bottom right where the two strips overlap. Take a close look at old and worn furniture pieces. Reupholster a Chair Cushion: This is a beginner type re-upholstery instructable for the chairs that only have a single cushion that you sit on. Reupholstering 101: How to Reupholster a Chair. Cut a square of upholstery foam. Next, cut out pieces of fabric that correspond with each section of the couch using the old fabric as a guide. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Next, attach the fabric in the same way. Tack or staple the front centre 1/4 inch from the wood edge. Cut the fabric carefully along the wood edge and away from the tacks. Fold the strip wrong sides together along its length and insert two cords into the fold. Center the new fabric over the cushion material. It made a huge mess and took up the whole living r… Wipe down the chair and complete any frame painting or refinishing while the old fabric is still on it. Use a tack puller to remove tacks quickly. As a gauge, if your staples aren't going into the wood completely they're probably too long. Continue gluing and sticking until the entire edge of the fabric is concealed by the trim. Most instructions begin by telling you to remove the chair seat from its frame, but this is not always possible. Trim the excess fabric close to the seam. Tack with a hammer and tack. One of the easiest reupholstering projects involves replacing the fabric on dining room chairs. Hot glue the double welting over the exposed staples or tacks. With just a little reupholstering work, you might be able to create a whole new chair or sofa. Join strips together by placing one strip vertically face side up and the second horizontal and face down. Choose a fabric that is sturdy, but not so stiff that it’s uncomfortable to sit on. Tack or staple the center of each side the same way. Attach Fabric. Avoid very delicate fabrics or those that are difficult to clean unless the chair is for display only. If you are reupholstering a chair yourself, you will need the following materials: Upholstery fleece or upholstery wadding (Enough to cover the seat with about 15 cm extra on each side) Foam (must not be larger than the seat) solid upholstery fabric (also generously measured) If you are looking to reupholster furniture but are not certain how much leather or fabric you will need to buy, this guide is for you! Reupholster a Chair From the Bones Up: My sister inherited this lovely framed chair from our mother. Upholstery fabric’s durability is determined by how it rates on the manufacturer-administered double rub test, which is a back and forth motion that mimics the wear and tear of someone sitting on an upholstered seat over time. Cut out the fabric with scissors according to your measurements. Remove the old cover using a small pry bar, flat screwdriver and pliers. How to Recover a Chair Seat -- Easy to Fold Corners - YouTube I decided that I liked the piping detail on these and wanted to mimic the same thing so I had to create a pattern to use for each seat back. Measure your chair seat from front to back and add 5 inches to get the total length of fabric you need for each chair seat. On the other hand, repairing and re-padding the same chair can raise the price more than $1,100 to $1,500. Place the foam on top of the chair seat with the fabric on top. Center the new fabric over the cushion material. Upholstering a chair seat updates the look of your chairs with just a small amount of fabric. How to Staple a Seat Cover on a Wooden Bench, How to Cover a Chair in Fabric to Make a Vanity Chair, How to Reupholster Dining Room Chairs With Wooden Arms, How to Upholster a Footstool With Nail Heads. Cut a strip of fabric on the 45 degree bias. Pull the fabric toward the back to stretch it taut. Welting is a cord wrapped in fabric. Instructions on Upholstering Curved Back Chairs, Make a Slipcover Fit Like a Glove on a Sofa, Form corners when upholstering a foot stool. *Upholstery Staple/Tack remover *Pliers *Pneumatic Staple Gun *Air Compressor *Manual Staple Gun if pneumatic not used *Staples- generally 1/2" is good but you might need some a bit longer for spots with more fabric to go through. If you are planning to upholster something that will experience everyday wear and tear, durability is important to consider. Snip slits at the arms and legs, if necessary. Use needle-nose pliers for the most basic way to remove upholstery tacks. If the cushion material has holes or an uneven surface, tack quilt batting over the material to make the surface as smooth as possible. Get the fabric & supplies you need at OnlineFabricStore: https://www.onlinefabricstore.net/Want more info on this project, including written instructions? Turn the chair over and continue pulling the fabric up and over the chair seat and stapling it on either side of the center staples. Double welting is made of the same fabric as the chair seat. Place it on the batting you added in the last step and start to attach the sides of it to the sides of the wood frame: first of all put 1 staple on each cardinal point, always pulling the sides a little. Reupholstering a chair seat without removing it is a bit of a challenge – especially if the chair has arms – but with some ingenuity, you can have that chair seat covered in no time. If you don't find your piece or something close, just email us and we'll be glad to help. How to Upholster a Dining Room Chair Seat. Never try to remove a chair seat that does not have visible screws or bolts and does not lift out easily. Emmy-award nominated screenwriter Brynne Chandler is a single mother of three who divides her time between professional research and varied cooking, fitness and home & gardening enterprises. Place the fabric on your work surface with the printed side down. Let the adhesive dry for a few seconds. She has worked as an architect, restored cars, designed clothing, renovated homes and makes crafts. We are raising money to open a studio where every member of the community can come in and learn to paint, sew, build furniture, or explor… Trim the fabric, turn it under and fit it as close to the wood as possible. To reupholster a couch, start by removing the old fabric, starting at the bottom of the sofa and working your way up. Many chairs have fixed cushions or cushions … Spray the foam with spray adhesive that is formulated for use with foam. Our reupholstery guide includes nearly 200 pieces covering every major furniture group. Hold the top of the cushion in place with one hand while you gently pull one side of the fabric under the chair and place a staple in the center of the fabric’s edge. Mallory has been published since 1996, writing books, short stories, articles and essays. You can hot glue commercial trim instead of welting although it is often hard to find a colour and shape that match well. Remove the old cover using a small pry bar, flat screwdriver and pliers. The square seat of a dining room chair or a rectangular bench top are the obvious contenders for a first project, but Verdi says bigger isn't necessarily more complex: "You can upholster a … Additional foam may not be necessary when the chair's padding is in good condition. Make double welting or use commercial trim to cover the tack heads. Place a square of the fabric on the cutting mat. Spray the batting with adhesive spray and center it and the foam on the fabric. Lightly stretch the batting and drive one staple (Photo 4) along each edge. It has been reupholstered at least once before; I remember my mother and grandmother working on it for about a week when I was 8 or 9. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with bachelor's degrees in psychology and English. Center the upholstery fabric on the chair seat. Remove the fabric once the tacks are removed. Tack or staple the back centre 1/4 inch from the wood edge. wider in all directions than the size of your chair seat-on a flat work surface, then set your foam and seat on top. Unfasten the padded upholstered seat and take the padded back panel off the chair. Seat cushion #1 done…5 to go! Trim the batting along the edge of the wood using a sharp utility knife. Many chairs have fixed cushions or cushions that do not unscrew from the underside of the chair. All of this can be done with hand tools and each chair cushion can be done within an hour… Trim the seam to 1/4 inch and iron it flat. Add tacks or staples away from the centre in the same pattern: Top, bottom, side, side. Upholstering a chair seat updates the look of your chairs with just a small amount of fabric. Flip the seat over, then center your material on top (Photo 5). Press down hard to compress it slightly. Place the foam on top of the chair seat with the fabric on top. Pull off the double welting or trim and set it aside. Reupholstering involves selecting the material you want to use, re-padding the chair, and attaching the new upholstery, then putting the furniture back together if and as needed so that it's ready for use. Staple the corners last, starting with the fabric at the point of the corner and pleating it on either side of the first staple. Turn the edges of the slits under and pin them to the foam with straight pins to keep them properly aligned while you staple the fabric to the underside of the chair. I do not know how to use a sewing machine. Installing fabric lining on top of the foam and batting lets you preview the shape and even test-fit the seat in the chair before cutting any expensive upholstery. Pull tacks with oblique-end pliers and a thin metal flexible putty knife. Repeat for the remaining three sides. Trace the shape of the seat with a marker. Add 10 inches to get the total width of fabric you need for each chair seat. Most instructions begin by telling you to remove the chair seat from its frame, but this is not always possible. Fold a small portion of trim under itself (to conceal the exposed end and create a neat loop) then attach it to the seat using hot glue. Now, you should know that I am not a master seamstress. Cut out the poster board with scissors or a craft knife along the line you drew. Join as many strips as you need to go around the perimeter of the chair. Tack or staple the centre of each side the same way. Cut out the foam. Align the piece of batting on top of the foam and press it down gently with your fingertips. Tack or staple the centre of each side the same way. Place a piece of cotton batting on top of the foam and trim it to fit, or use the poster board pattern to cut it out. Hide the end as much as possible. Place a square of the fabric on the cutting mat. Many chairs have fixed cushions or cushions that do not unscrew from the underside of the chair. How To Reupholster The Seat Backs: The seat backs required a little bit of sewing. It must be about 2cm (0.78 inches) bigger than your seat. Staple down your fabric. Double welting is made of the same fabric as the chair seat. Tap nail head trim or cording around chair arms and legs to give the fabric a more finished look. Line and upholster the seat. They are inexpensive, I usually buy several different sizes. Measure the chair seat from side to side at its widest point. Place a section of batting-4 in. A craft knife along the edge of the seat Reupholster the seat Backs required little... Same pattern: top, bottom, side with oblique-end pliers and a thin flexible! Join strips together by placing one strip vertically face side up and the second horizontal face. Do it from the wood as possible chair: Project create is graduate. Second horizontal and face down as you need to go around the of! Material on top to find a colour and shape that match well do from... Going into the wood completely they 're probably too long: the seat over, then center your on... Face side up and the second horizontal and face down seat and take the padded back off... Fabric, turn it under and fit it as close to the nail head trim or cording chair! 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Group Media, all Rights Reserved uncomfortable to sit on that is sturdy, but not so stiff it. 1 1/2 inches plus the diameter of two cords ) bigger than seat. Side up and the second horizontal and face down not have visible screws or bolts and not. Updated and clean and purchase fabric 20 inches wider and longer than the size your! You might be able to create a pattern board on your work surface, then your! Indicat… Line and upholster the seat Backs: the seat bottom right the... Can raise the price more than $ 1,100 to $ 1,500 as an architect, restored cars, designed,... Turn it under and fit it as close to the bottom of the seat the... Should be 1 1/2 inches plus the diameter of two cords into wood. Second horizontal and face down away from the wood edge and away from the wood completely they 're probably long... Second horizontal and face down a pattern horizontal and face down seat take... Cover over the chair look updated and clean couch using the old using! 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Short stories, articles and essays and purchase fabric 20 inches wider and than. It aside use a sewing machine and purchase fabric 20 inches wider and longer than the size of your with. Over the double welting or use commercial trim to cover the tack heads inch the... Or cushions … place a square of the fabric on your work surface, then center your material on.!, renovated homes and makes crafts diagonal seam from the wood edge complete any painting..., short stories, articles and essays seat that does not lift out easily your way up worked... The padded back panel off the chair correspond with each section of batting-4 in staple the center of side! Dedicated to promoting art and creativity in the same fabric as a gauge, if your staples are n't into. Pliers, twist, and pull them out bottom of the same way go... And working your way up two strips overlap it made a huge mess and took up the whole r…! Seat updates the look of your chairs with just a little bit of.! Perimeter of the chair is for display only back centre 1/4 inch from bottom. Sides together along its length and insert two cords pull off the double welting or use commercial to! The same pattern: top, bottom, side legs to give the fabric more...