How to Measure a Wing Back Chair for Recovering Material

Measure the length and the width of the front of the left “wing” of the chair. The wing front is what your shoulder rubs. Measure the length and the width of the back of the left “wing.” Write the measurements down, adding 2 inches to the length and the width. Repeat for the right “wing.”

Measure the length and the width of the front of the chair back (where your back rests). Add 2 inches to the measurements. Measure the length and the width of the back of the chair back (as seen from behind the chair). Add 2 inches to the measurements.

Measure the length and the width of each chair side. Add 2 inches to the measurements.

Measure the length and the width of the chair front (the base section in the front of the chair, directly beneath the cushion where your legs touch). This is called the nose. Add 2 inches to the measurements.

Measure the length and the width of the base where the cushion directly sits. Add 2 inches to the measurements. This is called the deck, and may be covered in lining fabric.

Measure the length of the arm from the chair back front to the end of the arm where your hand rests. Measure the width from under the side of the arm (outside of the chair) to the chair base, or deck (where the cushion rests). Add 2 inches to each measurement. Many sewers prefer to sew this fabric to the fabric used in Step 3 before construction.

Measure the length and the width of the front of each arm, and add 2 inches to the measurements. You'll need two pieces of fabric with these measurements, one for each arm front.

Measure the length and the width of the cushion. Add 2 inches to the measurements. You’ll need two pieces of fabric, one for the cushion’s top and one for the bottom. Measure the depth of the cushion, and add 2 inches to the measurement. You’ll need four pieces of fabric for the cushion's sides: two pieces for the cushion front and back, and two pieces for the left and right cushion sides.