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Elma D&P

Upcycling : upholster a piece of furniture

Updated: May 12, 2023

Upholstering a piece of furniture is probably one of the most complex steps in furniture makeovers.

This step requires good calculation skills, measurements, knowledge of some cutting techniques and good coordination, patience and precision.

The choice of fabric and finishes is also fundamental to give your furniture a more modern or new look, perfectly integrated into your interior.


Before starting, the preliminary phase is to choose your tools carefully.

Once this phase has been completed, the upholstering is done in 6 steps:

- Strip the furniture,

- Restore the structure of the furniture (if necessary),

- Check and change the upholstery if necessary,

- Cut out the new fabric,

- Laying it down,

- Putting on the finishing touches.


Preliminary step: tools needed to upholster a piece of furniture

Here is a list of tools needed.

- A crowbar to easily remove decorative staples or nails.


- A ramponneau or upholstery hammer for laying seed. The magnetic model makes it easier.














- 12 mm staples and seeds.

- Upholstery nails.


- Upholstery fabric.



1- Stripping the furniture

To renovate your chair, you must start by removing the old fabric. This first step exposes the chair and allows you to repair any damage caused by time on the wood.

Start by removing the braid (the decorative fabric strip that holds the chair together). To do this, find the origin of the braid and pull it out. Then remove the nails and staples under the band with a hammer. Finally, release the fabric.


2- Restore the structure of the furniture before upholstering it

If the furniture to be upholstered is very damaged, restore it while it is undressed. First remove the wax. Then sand it with sandpaper. Fill the holes with wood filler. Wait until it is dry. Sand this area again to smooth out the cement. Your furniture is now ready to receive a coat of wood stain. It will bring back its youthfulness.

Perhaps you would prefer to give your furniture some colour? This will match the new fabric you have chosen. In this case, first apply an undercoat. Then apply two coats of paint, sanding in the middle.


3- Check and if necessary change the upholstery

The check is systematic because if the padding is in bad condition, it will have to be replaced.

Use cotton wool mattresses. There are different thicknesses. It all depends on the comfort and aesthetics you want to give your furniture. The thicker the mattress, the more comfortable and curved it is.

Take the pattern of the area to be upholstered and trace it onto your wadding mattress. Cut it out and replace the padding. To lay it, staple it.


4- Cutting the fabric

After taking the measurements, cut the fabric for each part, leaving a 10 cm margin. Use the diagram below for a better cut.



5- Laying the new fabric

Centre the fabric on the main part of your furniture (seat for a chair). When you have found the exact position, use a hammer to set the seeds (this involves lightly driving in small nails to hold the fabric temporarily). Start at the front of the chair and work your way down both sides.

The trick to laying the fabric successfully is to stretch the fabric as much as possible. Do not hesitate to remove the small nails to tighten the fabric even more.

Repeat the operation with the other parts of the furniture to be upholstered (back, armrests, etc.).


6- Finishing

This is a last step that should not be neglected:

- First cut the excess fabric leaving 1 cm more on the edges.

- Make a hem by folding the fabric towards the inside. Hold the fold with seeds.

- Then use the upholsterer's hammer to place the nails. They replace the seeds as you go along. Make sure that there are no gaps between two nails.

- The other option is to put a braid in place of the nails. Simply glue it with a special fabric glue, going around the area being upholstered.


Before

After



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