How to Replace Chair Covers and Padding

Upholstered furniture adds a feeling of comfort and warmth to any home. The biggest drawback is that, over time, even the best kept furniture will show signs of wear and need replacing. Having your furniture sent out to a professional furniture reupholstering company can be inconvenient and costly. Replacing the items is often out of the question, but giving the item new life through reupholstering can be done in your own home.

Scissors
Flathead screwdriver
Fabric
Horsehair padding
Cotton batting
Utility knife
Upholstery needle and thread
Muslin
Upholstery tacks
Tack hammer
Razor blade

Instructions

- 1
  Take the worn covering from the piece of furniture by prying out the tacks around the edges with a flat-head screwdriver if necessary. and save the fabric to use as a pattern for the new cover. If the padding beneath is soiled or damaged, it can usually be removed by layers until you come to the material, often burlap, that covers the springs. Do not remove the roll around the edges or frame of the chair.
- 2
  Replace the padding if necessary. The best padding to use is a horsehair padding that has been rubberized. Fit this on the seat and trim it with a utility knife so it is even with the roll in the front. Sew it to the roll and repeat the process in the rear. If there are indentations, fill them with cotton batting to make the surface smooth.
- 3
  Cut a piece of plain muslin about 2 1/2 to 3 inches larger all the way around, using the old cover as a pattern. Position it over the batting and, starting in the center on each side, start tacking it down. It is necessary to work from the center tack outward and pull as you tack so it can hold the stuffing in place securely.
- 4
  Cut the upholstery fabric you have chosen, using the old fabric as a pattern again. The underside of the chair should be covered with something that has a very fine mesh to make a dust cover.

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