How to Reupholster an Arm Chair

An easy way spruce up a room is to reupholster old furniture. Next time, when you want a new item, look in the garage for an old chair, or simply use an existing furniture piece and add new fabric to make it look brand new.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An old chair
• Inexpensive fabric
• Staple gun
• Pliers
• Staple Remover
• Glue gun
• Welting
• Cotton batting

1. Remove all old fabric from the chair you are working on. Set aside all the fabric pieces so you can use them as a model to follow with your new fabric.

2. Measure your fabric. Use the old fabric to measure how much new material you will need. This is easier than measuring the furniture directly.

3. Remove any glue from the frame of your chair. Remove any existing staples.

4. Pick out new fabric. Make sure you purchase upholstery fabric because normal fabric will not withstand the test of time. Upholstery fabric is thicker and more durable. You can shop at specialty stores for more pattern options.

5. Place the old fabric over the new fabric and use this as a guide. Always cut about two to three extra inches on each side of the fabric to allow for binding.

6. Remove all old batting from your old chair. Replace it with new batting and staple it into place.

7. Reupholster the seat by draping the fabric over the seat and pulling it through the bottom. Pull the fabric so there are no wrinkles and staple it into place. Be sure that your pattern is lying properly before stapling.

8. Reupholster the back of the chair by draping the fabric over the back portion of the chair. Pull the material through the sides of the chair pulling taut. Ensure that you pattern is lying properly and staple into place.

9. Reupholster the arms (if there is fabric on the arms) by draping the fabric over the arms. Fold one third of the fabric forward near the back of the chair and pull tightly. Once the pattern is lying properly staple into place. Along your fold, cut a slit to allow you to wrap the fabric around the base of the chair and staple in place.

10. Add welting along the edges of the fabric. If you like the look, use a glue gun to put the welting in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Use old fabric as a pattern.

[Aprilshowers]

on 10/30/2009 I have been curious about this. Thanks and great article. 5 stars!

[Aprilshowers]

on 10/30/2009 I have been curious about this. Thanks and great article. 5 stars!