A Reupholstering How-To

As a follow-up to my post yesterday, Raina is kindly sharing her reupholstering tutorial with us today. So without further ado . . .

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Hello Delicious Dumplings!  I’m Raina, the snark goddess from If the Lamp Shade Fits. A few months ago, Ally asked for my help with an upholstery project and I was happy to oblige with a short how-to.  Two college summers spent working for an upholsterer not only gave me valuable DIY skills but also taught me scads about furniture construction.

As it turns out, a fauteuil (the type of chair Ally’s mother so generously gifted) is the easiest furniture piece to re-cover.  It was the first chair I was allowed to do by myself at the shop.  For those of you ready to flex your DIY muscles, I will walk you through re-upholstering a simple French chair in only eight steps.

This no-sew project should take an afternoon of your time, and we’re assuming the construction of your chair is sound.

Supplies and Tools

- fabric of your choice
- either gimp (trim) or nail head (upholstery) tacks
- a staple remover/tack lifter

www.fromtherightbank.com

- pliers
- iron
- extra batting (optional)
- staple gun
- scissors
- glue gun or tack hammer

1.  To purchase the correct amount of new fabric, measure the existing fabric on the chair and add 10%.  I wouldn’t advise a satin or anything too delicate for your first time out.  Measure the length of existing gimp (or welt) and add 6 inches OR count the nailhead tacks and add a dozen extra (upholstery tacks can be found online if you don’t have a local resource).

Now you’re ready to begin!

2.  Remove any gimp or welt (the trim that looks like a long fabric tube wrapping the edges).  Find the start/stop point and gently peel the gimp off or pry up the welt with the staple remover.  If you have nail head trim, use the staple remover to lift the tacks off.

3.  You will see the old fabric is simply stapled onto the chair frame.  Remove the staples with the staple remover and pliers.  If a staple brakes, make sure to pry off the broken bit.

www.fromtherightbank.com

4.  Take off the old fabric and iron it.  Lay it on top of your new fabric, making sure it is centered on your new fabric’s pattern.  Add an inch allowance all around and cut.  Do this for each piece – armrest, etc.

5.  Check to make sure your batting (stuffing) is in good shape.  If it’s thin in places, layer on more batting.  If you decide you want a much cushier ride, make sure to allow for the extra when cutting the new fabric.

6.  Take your new piece of fabric and starting from the center back of the seat, throw a few staples into the narrow wood edge.  Now go to the center front and pulling the fabric firmly (but not stretching it) and throw in a few more staples.  Do the same for the sides.  Keep moving around the piece a few staples at a time, pulling the fabric firmly as you go.  Repeat the process for the chair back and armrests.  If you have access to a pneumatic stapler (shown) -  fantastic! – if not a regular ole staple gun will work.

www.fromtherightbank.com

You are almost finished!

7.  With a pair of scissors, trim the excess fabric off the piece as close to the wood edge as possible.

8.  Cover the staples by either hot-gluing the gimp or nailing the tacks (the first option is the easier of the two).  I’m skipping the welt cord option because it is a little more advanced and requires some sewing.

TAH-DAH!  You have mastered basic upholstery and are the proud owner of a fab new chair.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments and I will do my best to answer them for you.

Good luck!

Photos courtesy of Country Living.

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Thanks a million Raina! See? I told you she knows how to do everything.

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33 comments

  2. Jane

    hi there – have been sparse with my comments lately due to tedious time differences mainly.

    Great tutorial Raina, I re did a chair with staple gun last year and was rather pleased with results, it is one of those very satisfying things to do.

    Ally love your chairs, for the record it has to be black or grey I think to contrast with your white walls which I think you are having in the living area. Not sure about fabric but I would go sensible and not too bright, otherwise you will just get sick of it if too 'current' save that for impermanent things like cushions.

    xoxo
    .-= Jane´s last post ..A nautical Sunday =-.

    Reply
  3. linda@LimeintheCocon

    …And that is it in a nutshell! Thanks Raina. I might add, that if your fabric has a big pattern…you will need more fabric, so you can center the pattern.

    I'm doing one now (one afternoon? cough cough) I'm finding it a bear…BUT it is a different chair, with wings and a cushion. AND I didn't have enough of the main fabric…so am using two different ones. With nails and welting.

    …and I'm ready to shoot myself.

    But that is just me. Yours will be lovely Ally. I know this for fact!
    .-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last post ..And keeping with the turquoise and red theme…. =-.

    Reply
  12. Samantha

    This is so helpful, yet, I am still so scared to reupholster on my own. I feel like myself and the staple gun will just never get along.

    xx,

    Samantha @PrettyLovely
    .-= Samantha´s last post ..Lay =-.

    Reply
  15. Averill

    Thanks for the how-to! I've done my share of recovering seat cushions but have always been a bit too nervous to advance beyond that. But you've shown that it's simply a matter of gluing down some trim (or tacking in some nailheads) to hide the staples.

    Reply
  17. Jamie

    Anyone know where to get instructions for an overstuffed armchair? I got ambitious without knowing exactly what I was getting into and now I am overwhelmed.

    Thanks a bunch.

    Reply
  20. Raina

    Jamie – An overstuffed chair requires advanced sewing and upholstery knowledge and is best left to a professional.

    If you're are still determined to finish the project yourself, I would recommend finding a beginner's upholstery course in your area.
    .-= Raina´s last post ..Melba toast and hot tea =-.

    Reply
  26. Deborah Milne

    This post is right up my ally (oops)! I love Raina's blog & her great whit; she's one smart cookie. I have two pieces of French Neo Classical that have been passed down to me that came from an Austrian castle. They are in such need of upholstering and you've helped solve my dilemma. I'm ready to take those babies on. Thanks Raina & thanks Ally. Happy weekend to both you lovelies. x
    .-= Deborah Milne´s last post ..Double Trouble =-.

    Reply
  28. Sarah @ Natural Hist

    This is a wonderful tutorial! I must put it to use though – I would LOVE to reupholster my dining room chairs which are currently a rather uninspired olive velvet. I'd love them to be a more enlivened colour. Pepto Bismol pink, perhaps…
    .-= Sarah @ Natural History (was Passementerie)´s last post ..A Beginning =-.

    Reply
  32. PS~Erin

    Sounds simple…. I've got a chair that's been patiently awaiting me to recover it. Now that the fabric is actually ripping off of it, I really need to. I wonder if I could do it… I dunno.
    .-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Snow Day(S)! =-.

    Reply
  33. Liv

    Hi…Could anyone tell me the name of the fabric used on this chair? Have tried to look for it but to no avail. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

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