DIY Wing Back Chair Reupholster!

First, I watched a series of videos on Youtube made by a professional reupholster to understand the process, although, once I began, I did not reference the videos as much but rather used what I call "free style"! ;) Protective eye glasses are recommended! ;)

NOTE!!!!! This post is meant to be "inspirational", but unfortunately I did not record my project in enough detail or step by step, so please use this as a guide or inspiration and NOT as a tutorial. ;)

I began by stripping the chairs fabric using a screw driver and a staple remover, beginning underneath and working my way up. Once you remove one portion of the fabric, the next section will reveal itself, so I worked that way.....like I said "free style"! Be prepared to break a few nails! It can get physical!

Along the way, I took photos to remind me how the chair was constructed. This is a picture of the flexible metal tacking. I also watched a Youtube video about how to use flexible metal tacking. It's pretty easy, you staple the tacking around the wings place you cut material on top, using a regulator (long metal upholstery tool) tuck the edges in and tap it lightly with a rubber mallet (or in my case, a hammer covered with a sock).

Here, you see the cardboard stripping stapled in place under the arm of the chair to keep it lined up and tight.

A photo of the underneath of the chair before the side fabric was removed.

See how the bottom of the chair fabric was removed exposing the next section to work on.

Chair number two being stripped down.

While removing the fabric, I saved all of the pieces and the backing to use as a pattern for the new material. After the new pieces were cut out, I then began to staple them back on to the chair beginning with the front (pulling tightly and smoothing the fabric through the sides and stapling on the back frame). Next the inside wings, pulling the fabric through the sides, smoothing and wrapping it around to the back. In order to fit the fabric, in certain places small cuts were made. I played with the fabric and where it buckled, I made small cuts, tucked them under until it smoothed out. Once the top wings were in place, I began working on the arm rests, pulling material through to the bottom stapling on the underneath frame and the outside bottom frame. I wrapped the material around the front of the arm rest folding and stapling as I went to create the look seen in the bottom photo.

The bottom fabric was then adhered to the chair making small cuts around the legs and stapling to the underneath frame. Instead of removing the inside seat, I sewed the new fabric to the brown fabric covering the springs. After the inside fabric is in place, the back and the outer sides are next (cording for a more finished look can be applied first). For this, you will need flexible metal tacking and straight metal tacking that can be cut to size. This tacking is using to adhere the back sides of the fabric on each side. The fabric is wrapped into the spikes folded and then hammered gently to the chair frame. Don't forget to replace the inside backing, but remember anything stapled can be unstapled! Finally, the dust cover can be replaced as the last step.

Sound confusing? Once you watch a video of a professional and start the process, it will come together! At first, I was overwhelmed and confused, but the deconstruction of the chair helped me to understand the order of things. You aren't going to put on your jeans before your underwear right? Same logical order involved with this process! So, I saved a lot of money, got the look I wanted and had fun doing it! ;)

Wrapped arm rest. Done by folding and stapling material to the side frame. Once this is in place, the outside of the arm rest can be stapled using cardboard stripping to keep is tight and aligned.

Finished product. The chairs were too low for the table so I........

ADDED CASTERS for height! Now I can move them around the room with ease! I obviously haven't re-stained the legs yet.....on my list! ;)

They add a pop of colour and give the table a formal look.

The bumble bee fabric is fun and adds interest to the room!