How to Reupholster a Chair

Is your favorite chair looking its age? With just some staples and a bit of fabric, you can give it a fresh new look. Learn how to reupholster a chair in this video by Better Homes and Gardens:

1. Remove old fabric

• Photograph your chair for reference before stripping original covering
• Start by removing the black cloth from the underside
• Loosen pieces attached to the frame
• Mark fabric pices with location and position to use as a template later
• Remove and save welting for later
• Disassemble chair as needed
• Remove fabric

2. Replace batting

• Remove old batting if worn or stained
• Cut piece of 1/2-inch batting for back and seat if needed
• Cover chair back first and staple
• Repeat process for seat, folding neatly around corner

3. Make new pattern

• Rip seams to separate fabric into smaller pieces
• Lay original pieces, wrong side up, on back of new fabric
• Mark around pattern
• Leave extra fabric beyond original edges for seam allowances
• Repeat for each section and cut out
• Transfer location markings onto new fabric pieces
• Place sections together inside out and sew together
• Sew pieces together adjusting for curves

4. Make welting

• Determine length of welting using old pieces as a guide
• Cut enough 2-inch-wide strips to equal that length, allowing a few extra inches
• Join strips with diagonal seams
• Fold bias strip around cord
• Use zipper foot to sew in place
• Welting will go around the bottom of the seat apron

5. Apply new covers

• Reapply new cover to seat base
• Pull fabric tight
• Staple to frame where previously attached, starting at front edge
• Work around frame on each side toward back
• Tuck excess fabric under at corners
• Reapply new cover to chair back
• Pull fabric tight and staple to frame where previously attached
• Turn under raw edges where visible

6. Reassemble chair

• Reattach the back and seat
• Trim any excess string or fabric
• Make sure new fabric does not cover any hardware holes

7. Add welting

• Fold under end of piping for a finished edge
• Start at a back leg
• Staple welting strip around underside of chair
• Continue stapling welting around perimeter of chair
• At corners, snip fabric on each side of leg
• Tuck excess fabric under with flathead screwdriver

8. Finish underside

• Use old piece as a guide to cut new black fabric piece
• Add black fabric to underside, tight against welting
• Start stapling inside of front edge
• Fold over and staple black fabric to underside
• Make sure black fabric is covering up all raw edges of upholstery fabric