How to Cover a Wingback Recliner

Take measurements for your chair and buy the appropriate amount of upholstery fabric. Look for charts at the fabric store if you are unsure of exactly how much fabric to buy, since many wingback chairs are a standard size. Make sure to buy some extra fabric to include the footstool of the recliner.

Cut two rectangular pieces of fabric that are each big enough to cover one side of a wing plus three inches and all sides.

Fit the pieces onto the chair with the right sides of the fabric against the chair. Use pins and chalk to mark a seam to sew. Sew the seam. Repeat for the other wing.

Cut two pieces of fabric to cover the front and back of the back of the chair, plus four inches all the way around. Sew these two pieces together at the top seam with right sides together.

Drape the top and back portion of fabric over the chair, with the wrong side out, and mark with pins and chalk where to attach the front wing seam. Sew. Repeat for the other wing.

Use the same process of pinning and marking with chalk to add the arms and the side pieces of the chair. Make sure to leave extra fabric on the sides and the front panel to pull and staple underneath the chair.

Turn the whole cover right side out and fit it onto the chair.

Hand sew the back of the wing to the back of the chair using a curved needle and matching thread.

Pull out the footstool, flip the chair over and staple the excess fabric to the bottom of the seat of the chair. Make sure to pull the fabric tight as you work.

Cut a rectangular piece of fabric that is four inches larger all the way around for the footstool part.

Lay the fabric on the floor underneath the flipped footstool with the right side down. Pull the fabric up and around the edges. Hold the fabric in place using the staple gun.