How to Make an Upholstery Template

Over time, chairs and other pieces of fabric covered furniture will get worn and stained as a result of everyday use. Fortunately, if you have a fixed-seat chair or simple footstool it is possible to upholster it yourself, without spending a fortune to have a professional do it. If you have a limited amount of fabric, it is a good idea to make a template to help make sure you cut the appropriate amount of material to cover the piece of furniture. Making a template will also help you reupholster several chairs that are the same size.

Screwdriver set
Cardboard or pattern paper
Pencil
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the seat from the frame using the appropriate screwdriver. Most fixed seat chairs and stools are relatively easy to disassemble. Just flip it upside down and remove all the screws to free the seat from its base.
- 2
  Use the end of a flat tipped screwdriver to remove the staples holding the fabric to the seat. When the fabric is removed you will be left with a wooden base and a piece of upholstery foam that are the correct size of the item you are recovering. Use this base to help you make your template.
- 3
  Place the wood base on top of a piece of cardboard or pattern paper. Measure the height of the piece of foam and board and add this measurement around the entire perimeter to accommodate for the height of the base. Trace out the shape on your piece of cardboard with a pencil or marker.
- 4
  Use a pair of scissors to cut out your template. Use this template to help you cut out the fabric required to upholster your piece of furniture.

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