Q&A for How to Reupholster a Chair

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What is in easy way to reupholster a chair?

Katherine Tlapa
Interior Designer
Katherine Tlapa is an interior designer, currently working as a Design Specialist for Modsy, a design service based in San Francisco. She also runs her own DIY Home Design blog, My Eclectic Grace. She received her BFA in Interior Architecture from Ohio University in 2016.

Katherine Tlapa

Interior Designer

Expert Answer

To reupholster a chair, you'll first need to disassemble the cushion, or the upholstered parts. Some chairs have seats that can be screwed right off, and some are attached. If the padding is in good condition, you can cover the seat easily with new fabric using either upholster glue or staples. If you cannot dislodge the upholstered area of a chair, you have to neatly tuck the fabric around the edges and add something that will conceal the seams, such as roping or fabric beading.

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Question

How do I make the roll of matching material that lines the edges?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You use cording, which you wrap in fabric. Use the old cording, if you have it, or buy some new cording from an upholstery-supply store. The seam of the cording is sewed into the main seam of the piece.

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Question

How do I repad a chair in order to upholster it?

Community Answer

Lots of options on this and plenty of videos on YouTube. If your padding was in good shape, it's fine to reuse it. If not, keep the good parts and just fill in with the same material. If you want to use all new materials, there are good videos and books at the library on the subject of padding.

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Question

How do I replace a broken spring?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You may be able to turn the piece upside-down and access the spring that way. Otherwise, you'll have to remove some fabric to get at it. You may have to replace the spring (an upholstery store or repair shop is a good place to start), or you might be able to repair it with heavy wire.

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Question

Can I leave the staples or tacks in, then cover it with new material?

Community Answer

All tacks should be removed as well as most of the staples. If staples are flush with or slightly depressed in wood, you can hammer them flat to frame. Use the hard side of a rubber/plastic head hammer or similar. You don't want to damage or split frame wood. Note: While some upholsterers still use tacks, most now use staples.

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Question

What size staples do I need for a staple gun?

Community Answer

A eight millimeter depth is ideal. Any longer, they will not be flush without hammering them in. Any shorter, they may not hold.

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Question

How do I fix braid without using tacks?

Community Answer

I have mostly seen it glued on. Be careful with hot glue not to burn yourself and keep glue on the backside of the braid.

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Question

When reupholstering parson chairs, is it true that putting a plastic sheet on the chair before covering it makes it easier to slide the cloth onto the chair?

Community Answer

I haven't personally heard that, but based on my experience, I think it would work. It would also make things easier to clean up.

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Question

How do I cover the legs of a Parsons chair with fabric?

Bobnpat60

Community Answer

Fabric is not used as a chair leg covering. Fabric is used on the seat cushion, not on the legs.

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