How to Upholster a Straight Back Chair

Remove any upholstery pieces and welting that are already on the chair. Use pliers to remove tacks or nails and a flat head screwdriver to remove staples. Remove the pieces of fabric at each seam with scissors or a seam ripper. Be very careful not to rip the fabric as you are working. The fabric will later act as a pattern.

Mark each piece of fabric removed with a marker to note the location on the chair. For example, write "seat" on the fabric removed from the seat part of the chair. Clean up the chair by removing any extra nails, tacks or staples that may have been hidden underneath the fabric so there is a clean surface when the new fabric is attached.

Cut a piece of batting to cover the chair back. Staple the edges of the batting to the chair back.

Place the old upholstery pieces right-side-up on top of the new upholstery fabric. Attach the two fabrics with pins. Cut the new fabric pieces two to three inches past the old fabric. Follow the shape of the old fabric.

Place all of the new pieces of fabric on the chair in their respective places to ensure they will fit. Pin them to the chair. Fold all edges under equally to hide the raw edges of the fabric.

Staple the fabric edges into the chair. Secure the edges with upholstery tacks and a rubber mallet. Cut pieces of welting to trim each piece of fabric. Using welting is optional but gives an added finish. Glue the welting around all of the fabric edges to add an extra touch.