You say you can’t sew? You’re afraid to reupholster? Well, then…keep reading, my dear. This post is for YOU!
I bought this chair back in 1999. Back in the day, this style was very different as compared to the overstuffed, Tuscan-everything that just wasn’t “me”. This chair was a little more modern and classic. I loved the clean lines — and even though it looked angular, it is surprisingly comfortable.
Over the years there were a lot of little people that would tackle this chair head first, or who sat on the arms like a horse. Whenever I sat in the chair, there were always two little faces looking at me on each side. The springs broke off the bottom. But I still loved the clean lines and modern twist.
And…I couldn’t find another chair to replace it. As hard as I tried.
And even though I had never sewn a thing in my entire life, I willed myself to learn how to reupholster this old thing. If you are as determined a DIY’er as I am…then, girl, I am cheering you on! It CAN be done!
DIY Chair Reupholstery Tutorial
Some advice right out of the gate:
Reupholstery is a matter of deconstructing your piece one layer at a time. Flip over your chair to inspect. Then deconstruct following the layers. Use the old remnants as your pattern to cut new pieces. Then you reconstruct your way back to a finished piece. I used photos as “breadcrumb” reminders to how to reconstruct my piece in the order I removed things.
Take Pictures of the Process: Think of it as “dropping breadcrumbs” along the way. Taking pictures as I took the pieces apart were like sending messages to myself in the future — so I knew exactly what order to re-assemble the piece. Referencing my own photo-documentary really helped me when I put the chair back together…I just did it in reverse order.
Re-use: You will be able to re-use some items, including the piping. All of your old fabric? Well, that serves as your pattern for your new fabric. Don’t throw it away, and in my case, all of my original brown fabric is in a small plastic bag in our storage area. just in case I decide to do this again.
Cutting New Fabric: You don’t want to over-purchase fabric, so my advice is to take your fabric remnants to the store with you. This way, you only buy exactly what you need. It’s better to cut the new patterns too large than too small. Oh, and always take a coupon if you’re going to JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby, otherwise this won’t be a cost-effective DIY. For this size chair, I used approximately 5 yards of fabric.
Sewing: As I mentioned, I had never sewn a thing in my life until this project. I just ran a very tight stitch that felt strong — one that I would regret if I ever had to remove the stitch 🙂 I have no idea how to explain it other than that! They weren’t pretty on the inside, but on the outside…I knew they weren’t coming apart. As far as putting the piece back togehter, here is something that really helped. Once I removed both armrests, ONE remnant would remain “intact” so I could see how the pieces were sewn together, the SECOND armrest I would completely unstitch and use the individual pieces as my pattern. Make sense?
Sit down in front of your sewing machine, and overcome your fear. If I researched too much on the internet, I would overthink it. Instead, simply practice straight stitches on scrap fabric. Do this until you are comfortable. Learn which stitch is the strongest…and go for it! The process really isn’t too hard.
Tools: I only recommend a power nail gun with an air compressor (a brad nailer). You’ll make yourself crazy using a small handheld stapler. Also you’ll need a stitch remover, a yardstick (for flattening and cutting fabric around your remnants), sharp scissors for cutting clean fabric. I also recommend a wooden spoon for pushing new fabric down and through crevices…you will lose fingernails at this phase without it. There is a good list of tools here, but don’t run out and purchase all of that out the gate. Just see how your own piece is put together, then buy what you need. Your piece may come apart much easier than some others. For any gaps in the fabric, I actually used hot glue to close those gaps and give extra strength to areas with high wear (like the corners of the armrests).
Photos of the process and my thoughts along the way
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- I recommend taking pictures of the process of dismantling your chair. I found that taking pictures as you disassemble is like dropping breadcrumbs–leaving visual reminders as reference. Then, scroll through your photos in reverse to remind yourself how to piece it back together.
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- After inspecting, I realized the underside was MY starting point for disassembly. So I began removing staples.
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- Once the piping was removed, it would reveal my next step. Here is the underside of the chair. (I was able to save the piping and reuse it).
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- My progress removing the piping. Tedious but hopefully worth it!
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- With the underside piping removed, I could now see how things were attached underneath. Took a picture.
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- Removing the back of the chair was fast and rewarding. I reused none of the scary upholstery strips with teeth since they bent, so I purchased new.
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- Since I’m new to this process, I was being cautious and taking lots of pictures. Here I’m making a mental note of how the piping along the top of the armrest was attached in the back.
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- Here I’m studying the “order” in which the piping and fabric was attached. Without these pictures I probably would have forgotten…it made things SO much easier later.
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- I kept peeling back layers until I reached this point–the sides of the chair. Removed the fabric & kept it as my pattern. (Always cut your new fabric about 1″ wider, you can always trim it later.
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- The corner armrest I had to get right. This became the MOST important picture to me throughout the process and I referred to it often. Note the cardboard strip? The purpose is to staple tight against the piping so it doesn’t roll down. Buy these new at the craft store. (I reused piping and batting). Removed in this order: Batting-Cardboard Strip-Fabric-Piping. Reattached in reverse order…Piping, Fabric, Cardboard, Batting. Fold down, and staple the tight fabric on the underside of the chair.
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- A view of the side of the chair / armrest. 7,000 staples later — here is where I am 🙂 Removed in this order: Batting-Cardboard Strip-Fabric-Piping. Reattached in reverse order…Piping, Fabric, Cardboard, Batting.
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- I’m becoming more confident right around this phase. I see that I need to remove piping next. This is the back / side of chair: making a mental note on how to reattach decorative piping on the back. Seems much simpler to me now.
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- That piping gone, taking another shot of the “order” that things are attached. These pictures become critical in the process.
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- Side of chair, that white fabric is the part that catches all of your loose change. You pull fabric down, staple to bottom (where change falls) then fold upwards again, and staple it upwards against the frame.
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- Pictures don’t often make sense unless you’re knee deep in the project.
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- I moved to the back of the chair here. I’m studying how things are pulled through and stapled at the bottom. This is where loose change gathers at the back of the chair.
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- When you cut your patterns, often your armrests and seats have “wings” or extra fabric. These “wings” are what you pull through the back of the chair, and secure by stapling to the frame.
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- Cardboard was used to keep fabric tight (I think?) I didn’t use it in my reupholstery job and it didn’t seem to have a negative impact.
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- I moved to the front, right leg of chair. I was already starting to find ways to improve upon the original construction.
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- Some staples made no sense. This piece seemed to have a lot of unnecessary stapling. And cardboard.
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- Just kept pluggin away…
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- Removing the fabric on the other leg. TIP!! Keep ALL of your old fabric — this serves as your “pattern” for your new chair.
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- NOTE — (not pictured) the final two pieces I removed were the SEAT cushion and BACK cushion. These are the FIRST pieces you put back on the chair. Make sense? So I added new foam, stapled. Then followed by soft, cushiony batting and stapled it.
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- A view of the side. We added another layer of white batting until it was soft enough (over the green foam).
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- New seat cushions all secure. Now it’s time to use the old fabric and cut my new, fresh pattern for the arm rests.
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- Old arm rest removed. This one I kept intact so I could inspect how it was sewn together. The other arm rest…it wad taken completely apart. I used that one for the pattern.
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- Another view. The white pieces are what you pull tight, then staple to the frame itself.
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- A pattern. This used to the the front-facing (leg) of the chair.
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- An example of how I would use an old fabric piece as a pattern. I would flatten with a yardstick, and always cut larger vs. smaller.
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- Lots of pulling fabric tight and tucking it back in at this phase. I used a wooden spatula to push fabric through the cushions (this saved my nails).
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- There are my “flaps” (the grey pieces) that are an extension of the armrests. You pull this grey fabric tight through the back cushions then staple to the frame. MAKE SURE THEY ARE TIGHT ENOUGH, you don’t want baggy armrests!
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- When sewing on piping, I would only go “so far”…walk over, test my newly sewn piece to make sure it fit well on the chair, then continue sewing. I was checking the fit often. I decided if I had a gap anywhere and the piping wasn’t tight, then I’d cut myself a break and use hot glue to close the gaps. close 🙂 Now just had to attached the sides and the back with the upholstery strips with scary teeth. I don’t have a picture of this part since we both did this together.
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- DIY: Chair Reupholstery Project
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- Admiring it in the sunlight.
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- Another view…
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- Voila! My NEW old chair. A combination of determination, sewing, power tools and a hot glue gun. Followed by a glass of wine.
I hope this helped you and you enjoyed witnessing the process. I was more determined than I was intimidated…so once you get the urge to stick-to-it, I hope you’ll visit my site and feel free to ask questions!
New chair. Total price: $239. Ended up being more $$ than I wanted honestly. Mainly because of the fabric I chose.
You can do it…good luck!
Ann says
Well done! Your perseverance paid off and your upstyled chair looks gorgeous! I recently tackled the project of recovering my throne chair in red velvet and I’m glad I went for it. Great photos of the process,thank you.
Jeanette says
Thank you…I just read your post, how awesome is that, $7?? And I’m a Downton fan too. I was relieved to read that you have similar advice as I do about using power tools and cutting your fabric large enough. Well done, Ann.
Jenny says
Great job! Where was this post a couple of years ago when I rescued this poor chair and then ended up bringing it back to a Goodwill naked lol..I love your choice of fabric too.
Jenny from diywithjenandb.blogspot.com
Jeanette says
Thank you for stopping by! I have to say I was tempted to donate a naked chair too at times! But really? it just “clicks” half way through the project…I know that sounds silly. Bookmark me for the next upholstery project 😉 and I will cheer you on!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
What a fabulous tutorial Jeanette! I may have to tackle a chair at some point, although I do not sew and don’t want to!!;) lol
Jeanette says
Thanks Nancy! I will say, I Iove the finished product but probably won’t feel the urge to reupholster or sew for quite awhile. 🙂
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says
Wow! I can’t believe you reupholstered a chair without having sewn before. You did a great job! I’m afraid to try it!!
Jeanette says
Thanks Jennifer, really you can do it!! I’m the opposite of a seamstress! If you don’t mind DIY and some tedium don’t be intimidated. 🙂 just take the project one piece at a time. That’s how I got through it.
Cathy says
Great first time effort !! I have a question -how did you finish off the back and outside sides ? would love to know the process as that is the part that always finishes off any fantasy I have of tackling such an upholstery project as yours.
Jeanette says
Hi Cathy! Thank you! I should include more details about this part of the process. The side and the back of the chair required upholstery tack strips. Basically the tack strip lays right in your outer seam along the perimeter. Then, you place the tack strip (scary teeth and all), then roll the seam under, piercing the fabric. I really couldn’t spare an extra hand to show you pics of this exact process, unfortunately. But the purpose of the tack strip is to pull the fabric tight and giving it a clean, finished edge. The tack strip also eliminates puckering of the fabric. Here is a video that explains this really well.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlkgM92LJmI
seanmporter says
Great Job, I’ve acquired a few pieces from time to time that I meant to reupholster, but never got around to it. Too many other projects. Its funny, I have the opposite problem with the internet. I never get psyched out of something by researching it on the internet, I always end up thinking that I can literally do EVERYTHING myself. Currently on my list: Make some vintage black iron pulley lights, build a metal forge, build a new king sized bed frame with built it hide away dog beds… the list goes on and on and gets added to more often than subtracted from…. 🙂 Anyways, I liked your project and one of these times I’ll acquire something that will actually get completed.
Jeanette says
Love it. Well let’s just say SEWING is enough to freak me out. Everything else seems possible 🙂 I will check in often, thanks for stopping by!!!
[email protected] says
Nice job Jeanette! It looks beautiful!
Jeanette says
thanks Karen, and it’s still holding up after all this time.
Alanna says
Thanks for the detailed pictures. I’m getting ready to bite the bullet and reupholster a couch we found on the street (really) five or six years ago. I’ll definitely be referring to this post throughout our adventure with that!
Thanks!
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint says
Jeanette!! You might be my new hero. 😉
Jeanette says
haha, that was one of my LEAST favorite projects, but here I am doing it again. I must be crazy!
Chloe Crabtree says
I am so impressed! You may inspire me to try something this challenging!
Jeanette says
Thank you! It was a matter of focusing on the immediate task at hand (versus overwhelming myself with the magnitude of the project) — if that makes sense. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Karen says
This is the post I’ve been waiting for! Thank you so much for sharing. Your chair looks fantastic! I’m starting mine after the first of the year….thanks for giving me the courage 🙂