How to Replace Upholstery on Arm of Chair

Preparation

• 1

  Remove the fastenings with needle nose pliers. The fastenings will either be upholstery tacks or staples.

• 2

  Carefully remove the fabric, and set it aside. Remove and discard the batting.

• 3

  Lay your new fabric out on a large work surface. Position your old fabric on top of it. Using the old fabric as a template, cut the replacement piece from the new fabric, leaving an additional 3 inches all around.

• 4

  Replace the batting by laying new batting down over any place on the chair that is bare. Fasten it in place with a staple gun. Make sure the staples stapled into the wooden frame of the chair.

The Arms

• 5

  Iron the fabric before beginning to ensure the fabric is smooth. Drape the fabric over the arms.

• 6

  Bring the back third of the fabric forward, and fold it over. Do the same for both arms.

• 7

  Staple the fabric to the underneath of the chair's frame, pulling the fabric taut.

• 8

  Find the folded segment's center. Cut a line down the center to the end of the fold with upholstery scissors, heavy-duty scissors that are strong enough to cut through thicker upholstery fabrics. Bring the end of the fabric up and over the arms. Staple it to the frame.