How to Reupholster a Wingback Chair

The simplest way to give a wingback chair a make over is to learn to reupholster it. Often a solid wingback chair can become outdated looking due to the fabric it is covered in. Even a sleek, modern looking chair becomes a problem if it does not fit in with the décor of the rest of the room. With a bit of persistence, however, you can give your chair a whole new look.

1. Remove the existing material from the chair intact. This will provide you with a pattern when applying the new covering.
   
2. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, pull out the old staples. Label the pieces as you remove them from the chair.
   
3. Lay out eleven yards of the upholstery you will be using to recover the chair. Make certain the upholstery is laid out in a single layer, not folded over.
   
4. Place the pieces of material, which you removed from the chair, out on top of the new upholstery. Lay pieces so that they fit when laid flat, and do not allow the pieces to overlap one another.
5. Open a package of one-half inch thick batting. Fill in any bare spots found on the chair with the batting. You want to achieve a smooth foundation without lumps and grooves.
   
6. Begin draping the upholstery over the back of the chair. As you pull it through the backside of the chair, tuck the upholstery in the side.
   
7. Use one hand to keep the upholstery material taut as you use a staple gun with the other hand to staple the top of the back. Be certain that the staples are long enough to be going through to the wood frame of the chair.
8. Using the same piece of upholstery, pull the bottom section firmly through the back of the chair and staple at the upper wood bar. Stretch the sides around the back of the chair, keeping them taut, and staple to the frame of the wood bar.
   
9. Cover the “wings” of the chair and the front of the chair in the same manner, tucking and stapling as needed.
10. Carry on in the same fashion with the other pieces. Be mindful of pulling the material tightly around chair and making tucks neatly before stapling.
    
11. Add finishing touches, such as cording or fringe by applying fabric glue to the seams. Apply glue sparingly to avoid dripping.