<p>I’m thinking of doing this. I’m fairly handy and have lots of sewing experience, but I am somewhat nervous. If I mess it up, it could be an expensive mistake. </p>
<p>How does one know how much fabric one needs?? </p>
<p>I’ve only done chairs that had seats that needed upholstery…rocking chairs, dining room chairs. In both cases, I went to a store that sold upholstery fabric. The place had lists of chairs, couches, etc, their sizes and styles, and how much fabric they needed. For my DR chairs, I actually took the old fabric off of one chair and took it with me…multiplied by 6 for the total amount needed. </p>
<p>I’ve upholstered several chairs. Is this a simple chair, like a dining room chair with a removeable seat and maybe a back, or is it a completely upholstered chair like one would have in a living room? Obviously the second type is more complicated, but both can be done by someone who is patient.</p>
<p>The best way to know how much fabric you will need is to make a pattern out of cheap muslin or even old sheets, including a generous seam allowance. Note the required direction of the pattern with an arrow. Once you have all the pieces, lay them out to fit the width of the fabric, paying careful attention to the arrows. You need to pay attention to the direction on all fabrics, but patterned fabric will require more care to match. </p>
<p>There are lots of tricks to get sharp corners, straight edges, etc. Luckily the internet is full of detailed instructions.</p>
<p>I’ve done seat cushions and chair seats. I’m thinking of redoing the couch (can’t afford a new one with 2 kids in college, lol). My mother used to do chairs and such. </p>
<p>If you are taking the old fabric off, you can use it to make patterns for the new fabric, maybe using a quilted muslin or old sheets. I would be really careful writing a list of how things are put together and also taking pictures of every area as you get it apart. That really helped on a recent chair cushion, when I could look at the pics on the iphone as I made the new cover. Also, make sure you get a fabric that’s decent to work with (doesn’t fray easily, not too heavy to sew, etc.) Some fabrics are better left to the experts. Also, if you have to tack anything, staple guns are good (unless of course it’s a decorative tacking).</p>
<p>I say go for it!</p>
<p>I have a fully upholstered living room-type chair that’s right now living in our guest bedroom. The fabric is kind of meh, and right now I’ve got time on my hands, so I was thinking of giving it a go. I also have two fully upholstered chairs in my family room that need recovering, so I’m thinking if the first chair is a success, I’d try the other two. </p>
<p>Beware of fabrics with a large repeat in the pattern. There used to be a place in Bridgeport called The Barn that had great deals on a wide variety of fabrics. Not certain whether it is still in business. (They also referred people who made great slip covers, and probably upholsterers too, although I stuck to slip covers at the time.) There is another fabric place on Rte 7 in Norwalk where my sister and mother have bought upholstery fabric at a big discount. It is on the left as you drive south, shortly before the road takes that big bend to the right a little ways before the Post Road. </p>
<p>Consolation, I know the places you’re talking about. Thanks. In fact, I drove by the place in Norwalk just yesterday!</p>
<p>I’m also thinking of having the seat cushion done professionally, and then I’d do the chair itself. I’m concerned I might not be able to do the zipper on the seat cushion properly, or make the corners sharp enough.</p>
<p>Heres a link to suggested yardage for upholstering furniture. You can do this. Its a trial and error thing. I’ve done several and its easier than slipcovers. Look up some tutorials online or get a book. Make sure you have a good stapler and a staple remover (trust me a butterknife or screwdriver arent worth much in the long run). I generally take the pieces off the furniture and use those for my pattern. Make sure to post progress and photos!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-much-fabric-should-you-buy-139425”>http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-much-fabric-should-you-buy-139425</a></p>
<p>Upholster or slip cover? A slipcover is a lot easier. Partly because it’s not always meant to be a tight fit.
I reupholstered a couch. You need a good web DIY site with pics. Various pieces are attached with upholsterer’s tacking (whatever it is called.) Eg, you may be prying off the side piece at the edges with 5-in-1 or something like it, removing the tacking, then using the original as a pattern. Then you reconstruct as it was, with new tacking. That gives the tight edging, tight look. A web site will show you the logic, help you wrap your head around this. (I can’t explain it easily. There are short cuts, sure. You have to decide.)</p>
<p>Either way, make sure it’s upholstery quality fabric- that holds up better, in the long run. And, aim for one that’s light resistant or it will fade over time. Store will tell you how much, then you buy more. Good luck. I’m proud of the results-- but there’s a reason I haven’t tackled the chairs yet. Ha.</p>
<p>**Sister, we x-posted. I did the couch with staples, before I found the professional sites- and personally wouldn’t do it that way again. The tacking looks easier- and less mental strain to engineer. I think. I went nuts on the sewing- all those cushions with piping, working around the corners.</p>
<p>I always think these projects are Martha Stewart’s influence- she tells us we can do just about anything (or she used to.)</p>
<p>What a timely thread @VeryHappy. I have been wanting to reupholster a few pieces so have spent the last couple of months researching. I am amazed at the number of instructional videos online, as well as the plethora of books at the library. Alas, I do not feel confident enough to do it on my own so will be signing up for a class. Since you are handy VeryHappy, I think that you can do it by using the many references that are available.</p>
<p>Have you considered making slipcovers instead? If I had the sewing skills, I would try slipcovers. It would require less physical strength (I am a weakling and am afraid that the pulling and tugging to upholster will be hard) and be a more functional covering. I had a couple chairs slipcovered and it is very hard to tell that it is not upholstered.</p>
<p>Upholstery fabric is insanely expensive. $50 a yard?? Crazy! Since I don’t need continuous yardage, I was able to cobble together enough remnants (8-9 yard pieces) to cover my chairs at 1/4th the price. I hope that this reasoning doesn’t come back to bite me. Anyway, I really don’t know what I am doing, but will give this class a try in hopes that it can be a new productive hobby. I hope you give it a try VeryHappy. Good luck.</p>
<p>Some of you people are amazing. I would SO screw this up. I know better than to try it. </p>
<p>Let us know how it turns out.</p>
<p>Nrdsb4, anyone can talk about it!! I haven’t done anything yet, and I may never!</p>
<p>^^^LOL, I am rooting for you. I’m impressed you are even considering it!</p>
<p>There MUST be YouTube videos on how to do this!</p>
<p>There is a place in Cheshire that also has good upholstery fabric.</p>
<p>Yes, there are a lot of YouTube videos!! My husband and I turn to YouTube for everything…winterizing our pool, changing car brakes, grilling the perfect steak, etc… It has become our #1 resource for learning (and wasting time).</p>
<p>I’m still investigating whether I want to do this, but it occurs to me that I can buy a decent side chair for our guest bedroom (in other words, no one will ever sit in it) at Home Goods for less than $200. In other words, cost-wise it’s not worth recovering a chair. Nevertheless, it still might turn out to be fun, even if not cost-effective.</p>
<p>Two side notes:
- VeryHappy I have bought a couple of side chairs at HomeGoods and have been “very happy” with them- fully comfy, great fabrics, modern look - very satisfied for chairs that aren’t going to get heavy, heavy use!
- Anyone know the going rate for a professional doing reupholstering??? (maybe a $$ range of sorts) I have a couch that is in great shape (one piece back, two seat cushions) and a side chair w/ottoman that is in perfect condition other than the fact that the current fabric is faded. </p>
<p>A few years ago I had a couch done for $1000 and was very happy with it. It makes sense if the furniture is good quality. In other words, reupholstering a $2000 couch gives you a new couch at half the price. But, if it’s a cheap couch to start with just buy a new one. Usually, the heaviness of the furniture will tell the quality story.</p>
<p>Back in my crafting days I did some chairs with mixed results. Its not that hard but, never again. </p>
<p>Well…yes to buying. We loved our old FR couch. It would have cost MUCH more to get it recovered than to buy new… So we bought new. </p>
<p>Upholstery fabric can be pricey…unless you luck into a remnant that you love.</p>
<p>Some of those Home Goods chairs are really nice. DS and I were at World Market, and saw some nice upholstered occasional chairs there too. Good prices too!</p>
<p>Working on slipcovers for my living room furniture now. Tedious work but most can do it. </p>