How to Reupholster a Chair
Chairs are a common piece of furniture that can be reupholstered. Reupholstery is a cost-effective way to breathe new life into an old piece of furniture. Professional upholsterers may charge $40 to $100 per hour and fabric costs $50 to $70 per yard. In addition to labor and fabric, other materials for a chair reupholstery project include glue, tacks, foam and staples. Depending on the furniture, additional services may include replacing broken woven cane, making structural repairs and adding decorative trim or buttons.
The first step in reupholstery is to take apart the chair and remove any existing fabric. Taking the chair apart exposes the frame and makes it easier to match up the new pattern with the new fabric. When removing the chair, be careful not to tear any of the fabric that is attached. Use the pieces you removed as a pattern to cut out your new fabric.
Start by placing the biggest patterns on top of your new fabric and then fit the smaller pieces around them. When cutting out the smaller pieces, make sure to use a good rotary cutter and cutting mat as well as sharp sewing scissors for precision. You should also make sure to label each piece of fabric with its location on the chair so you know which part of the chair it goes on.
Once the seat and back pieces are secured to the chair frames, add the seat and back cushioning. The cushioning should be stapled in place to the frame. If you’re reupholstering an upholstered chair, the best choice for cushioning is poly foam. Poly foam is lightweight and durable, and it has the added benefit of a high level of fire resistance.
Add gimp trim or another type of trim to cover the staples used in the reupholstery process. You can purchase gimp and cording at most fabric stores or you can make your own double-welt cord. If the chair had a piping, add it at this time as well.
Finish up by stapling the back panel of the chair to the frame. If a cardboard strip is on the frame, be sure to staple over it for crisp and clean lines. Make sure the panel is centered and aligned where you want it. Once it is, fold the bottom edge up and tuck it under the top of the chair frame.
When it comes to reupholstery, the most important thing is to take your time. Using the same techniques as your upholsterer, make sure your chair looks like it did when it was brand new. You may need to work on the same chair for a few hours or even days to get it right. However, the rewards are worth it. Once you’re finished, you’ll have a beautiful chair to sit in and show off to your friends and family. They’ll be impressed that you took the time to reupholster something so nice. And they’ll be surprised that the chair was once so ugly.
