Re-upholstery 101

Take one very old and tired 1940s Radio Rocker Chair.



Tear up the quote from the professional upholsterer amounting to close to $1,500. You can sew, use a staple gun and a hammer - how hard can it be.

Remove all the old fabric. In my case this involved removing hundreds of staples and nails.



About this time I realised that something very frightening was about to be revealed.



How many times has this chair been reupholstered? I lost count.



Take deep breaths, and don't panic.



Check rubbish bin for upholsterer's quote.

Contemplate enrolling in upholstery course at local TAFE.

Discover lost ear-ring grip down the back of the chair and wish it had been a $100 note to help pay for TAFE course.



Cover entire nightmare with something pretty and sit down with large glass of red wine to consider folly of starting this job.



Next day - or when you are feeling strong enough.....

Polish the woodwork and cover chair with wadding. Pat yourself on the back for keeping all those end pieces from your quilts - you knew they would be useful one day.



Using the pieces you have removed from the chair as templates, cut out new pieces of fabric.



Start with the seat of the chair. Pull the fabric firmly over the seat and staple it in place. Pull the fabric to the back between the seat and the back of the chair.



Now do the same with the back of the chair, cutting the fabric to fit over the arms. This is the trickiest part. You don't want to cut in the wrong place or you will ruin the entire piece of fabric.




Now it's time to sit down with a cup of coffee and a rock bun. You need to keep up your strength. Tell yourself you have got this far and you can do it.



Using the zipper foot on the sewing machine, make yourself some piping.



Sew the piping to the side pieces of fabric and to the front and side skirt. Then attach these pieces to the chair.



Maybe this is going to work.




Staple a piece of fabric, I used calico, to the underside of the chair.



Using upholstery tacks, attach fabric to the back of the chair. I don't like these black tacks, but they were all I could find. The back of the chair is against the wall, so I figure they won't be seen.



Sit in the chair to make sure that all the fabric doesn't tear away when you sit down. Breathe a sigh of relief when everything stays in place. You have finished.

Add a pretty cushion and ta da...............



That wasn't so hard was it?

Note to self - next time a chair needs recovering, leave it to the professionals.