Furniture Re-upholstery DIY
One of my simple upholstery techniques is to use the old chair fabric pieces as a template for the new fabric cuts. Before I continue I iron all the old chair pieces. Next, I determine the cut plan to conserve on fabric. If the fabric has a nap or a pattern repeat I analyze the cuts accordingly.
Upholstery Tips for Beginners:
- Pay attention to how the chair was assembled
- Your old chair fabric might be stretched out of shape
- Evenly pull the fabric to prevent puckers when stapling
- Always use high quality upholstery thread
- Center the pattern repeats starting on the seat or seat cushion and working you way up and down using the cushion as a reference point
- You will need a commercial upholstery sewing machine
To make the channel back sections I mark the stitch lines on burlap.
Channel back section is now ready to sew. The face fabric pieces need to sewn on at the marked stitch lines which leaves an opening for the stuffing.
Channel back section ready to stuff. After stuffing I will staple it to the frame and finish upholstering the chairs.
Learning how to staple fabric to the wood frame after creating the back channel back section is key to getting the perfect result along the back edge. This is not an easy upholstery technique to master with channel-backs.
Learning to upholster has changed my life since I can easily update my own furniture and it has made the perfect side hustle too. Learn more about how to upholster HERE.
Upholstery Supplies and Tools Needed
- Upholstery scissors
- Staple lifter
- Tack hammer
- Curved needle
- Upholstery thread
- Upholstery sewing machine
- Welt cord
- Staple gun (pneumatic)
- Tack strip
- Upholstery burlap
- Webbing
- Bonded Polyester batting
- Upholstery fabric ( fabric information)
- Zipper 5
- Foam (4″ Medium density)
- Cotton batting
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- How to Upholster Video
- Ruler
- Quilting ruler
- Marker (water soluble)
- Pins (heavy glass head)
- Cutting mat
- Silk film plastic (used to stuff channels)
- Upholstery regulator