How To Reupholster A Chair Without Removing Old Fabric?

You might have looked at your favorite chair and wished you could give it a fresh look without the hassle of removing the old upholstery. The reason may be any, but the most important one may be that the chair is your favorite one, and you have a lot of memories attached to this piece of furniture. 

Great news! In this guide, I will guide you how to reupholster a chair without removing old fabric. With minimal materials and a few easy steps, you can give your old and tired chair a stylish makeover that will make it look as good as new. Everything cleared? Grab your tools and start this easy DIY project!

Key Takeaways

[su_quote]The process of reupholstering a chair over the existing fabric starts with gathering all the tools and materials needed to be mentioned below.

After that, you clean the chair and remove screws or nails holding the seat and backrest in place to prepare it for the next process.

Once done with the preparation, you start adding the necessary padding if required, followed by placing, tucking, and securing the new fabric.[/su_quote]

Can You Reupholster Over Existing Fabric?

Yes, you can reupholster over the existing fabric, but a few conditions must be fulfilled to take the process to the next level. First, the existing/ current fabric should not be too dark in color that is visible under the new fabric. Secondly, the older fabric must be in good condition. 

If the existing fabric is darker than your new material, removing it becomes necessary to ensure that the underlying pattern won’t show through. Moreover, it’s also recommended to remove the old fabric entirely to prevent any bumps or unevenness on the surface area.

Gather All the Needed Tools & Materials.

You’ll need the following tools and materials to reupholster a chair without removing old fabric. Gather all the tools listed below before you start the actual BIY project. 

1. New upholstery fabric – Obviously, you’ll need new upholstery fabric to cover the particular areas of the chair over the existing fabric. 
2. High-density foam – will be required if you want to add extra cushioning between the existing and new fabric.  
3. Scissors – are necessary to cut the fabric to the accurate shape and size.
4. Upholstery tacks or staples – are used to secure the fabric to the frame of the chair.
5. A hammer or staple gun – will help you apply the upholstery tacks and stables.
6. Fabric glue or a hot glue gun – can be used to reinforce areas that may be difficult to tack or staple.
7. Needle and thread – may be necessary to hand-sew any areas that need to be secured more tightly.
8. Pliers – can help remove any old tacks or staples that may be in the way. 
9. Upholstery trim (optional) – can be added for an extra decorative touch.

Tips for Reupholstering a Chair Without Removing Old Fabric

Although removing the existing fabric when reupholstering a chair is suggested to avoid any bumps, the tips and methods I have discussed in this guide will make the process easier and smoother. Before jumping to the process, first, ensure to follow these tips. 

1. Don’t forget to determine the actual condition of the old fabric and reupholster the existing fabric only when it’s in good condition. 
2. Before deciding whether to reupholster over existing fabric, take into account the condition of the frame and cushions as well as the level of expertise required for the reupholstery project.
3. To achieve a flawless result when reupholstering over existing fabric, it is important to eliminate any loose components, such as back panels, side strips, and decorative cloth beading around cushions and arms.
4. If possible, take pictures of the chair before doing so to refer to later. Additionally, if you remove the older fabric, capture every step to help put the new one on. 
5. Make sure to label each element after cutting the respective pieces and put all the pieces in their relevant locations where they will be attached. 
6. Use pins to hold the new fabric pieces in place while stapling, and frequently step back to ensure that the fabric is correctly oriented.

How to Reupholster a Chair Without Removing Old Fabric?

1. Prepare & Dismantle the Chair. 

Well, preparing and dismantling the chair are two different things. And I will give you two different step-by-step guides to do both things.

Preparing the Chair. 

Before you begin, certify your chair is clean and free of dirt or debris. For this

1. Clear the space surrounding the chair and relocate any furniture or items that may impede your work area.
2. Use a vacuum or brush to remove any dust, debris, or dirt that may have stockpiled on the chair.
3. Wipe down the chair using a damp cloth, ensuring it’s clean and free of any stains or marks.

Dismantling the Chair. 

When I say dismantling the chair, I mean separating the seat and upholstered splat or back (if the chair has one) to start with the reupholstering process. 

1. Turn the chair upside down so that the bottom of the seat and the underside of the backrest are visible.
2. Find any nails or screws that may be holding the seat or backrest in place. Use a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to detach these screws or nails. Moreover, be sure to keep track of any screws, nails, or other parts that you remove in this phase.
3. Once the nails or screws have been removed, precisely remove the seat and back from the chair frame. 

[su_note note_color=”#ffe466″]Note: Suppose your chair is built in a certain way that it’s possible to measure and attach the new fabric without any issue. In such a case, you may not have to dismantle the chair to remove the seat or back. Instead, put on the new fabric immediately after cleaning. [/su_note]

2. Measure & Cut the New Fabric.

Once you have prepared the chair or/and have removed the seat and back pieces from it, the time to start preparing the new fabric. For this

1. Use a measuring tape to measure the seat and backrest of your chair. Once you are sure about the measurement you have taken, write down the measurements to use later when cutting the new fabric.

[su_note note_color=”#ffe466″]Note: Suppose you have dismantled the seat and back in the previous phase. In such a case, consider laying your chair’s seat and back pieces on top of the new fabric. Once placed, you can use this positioning to take more accurate measurements.[/su_note]

2. Take a fabric pen or chalk and mark the fabric where you require it to be cut. Also, double-check your measurements and markings before cutting.
3. Start cutting the new fabric to the appropriate size using scissors according to the measurements you took earlier as a guide. Be sure to leave an extra 1-2 inches on all sides to ensure you have enough fabric to tuck underneath.

[su_note note_color=”#ffe466″]Note: If you want to add extra padding as well (I’ll tell you about it in the next phase), you have to add extra inches to the fabric according to the padding size. For example, if you’re adding extra 1-inch foam, you must keep another 1-inch extra fabric on all the sides during the cutting.[/su_note]

3. Add Necessary Padding. (Optional)

If you want to add padding between the new and old fabric when reupholstering a chair, high-density foam can be used to provide extra cushioning. This is how you can prepare and use the foam to give extra cushioning. 

[su_note note_color=”#ffe466″]Note: Preparing and cutting the foam are similar to cutting the new fabric. The only difference is that you won’t leave the extra 1-2 inches of foam on all sides as you did in the case of the fabric. [/su_note]

1. Use the measurements you took in the previous steps for the seat and back to determine the foam you will need. 
2. Cut the foam to the appropriate size using a utility knife or pair of scissors. 
3. Once you have cut the foam to the right size, place it between the old and new fabric on the chair. Make certain that the foam is well-centered and evenly distributed.

[su_note note_color=”#ffe466″]Note: Once you have placed the foam appropriately, immediately jump into the next phase, placing the new fabric over the old one. [/su_note]

4. Place, Tuck, & Secure the New Fabric. 

Up to this point, you would have prepared everything you need to put the new fabric over the existing fabric. All you have to do is to follow the next step to complete the process. 

1. Carefully place the new fabric on top of the old fabric, making sure that it is lined up properly and centered on the seat or back.
2. Use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles or bumps in the old fabric before placing the new fabric on top. This will aid in making sure of a smooth finish.
3. Starting at one corner, tuck the new fabric under the old fabric and use fabric glue or a staple gun to hold it in place. Work your way around the chair, tucking and securing the new fabric as you go. Be sure to pull the fabric taut to prevent any wrinkles or bumps.
4. Use a staple gun or fabric glue to establish the fabric to the underside of the chair. Start in the middle and work your way out towards the edges, pulling the fabric taut as you go.

5. Trim Any Excess Fabric. 

Once you have secured the new fabric to your chair, follow these steps to easily trim any excess fabric, leaving a neat and professional-looking finish.

1. After securing the new fabric to the chair, assess the amount of excess fabric that needs to be trimmed.
2. Using a pair of scissors, carefully trim the excess fabric along the edges of the chair. Make sure to leave a neat edge by cutting in a straight line.
3. After trimming the excess fabric, double-check the edges to ensure they are secure and there are no loose threads or frayed edges.
4. If desired, you can finish the edges of the fabric by folding them over and securing them with glue or hem tape.
5. Once you have trimmed the excess fabric and finished the edges, dispose of any excess fabric in the trash.

6. Reattach Seat & Back Using Screws or Bolts. 

1. Hold the seat and backrest in position, aligning them with the chair frame. Make sure they are in a suitable orientation.
2. Insert the screws or bolts back into their respective holes. Use a screwdriver to tighten them securely.
3. Once all screws or bolts are tightened, test the stability of the seat and backrest by gently sitting on the chair.
4. If the seat or backrest feels wobbly or unstable, adjust the screws or bolts until the seat and backrest are securely fastened to the chair frame.

How to Reupholster a Chair Back?

Ply grip, which is a pliable metal tack strip, can be quite useful in securing the fabric in position around the curved edges of a chair’s back and arms.

1. Begin by attaching a layer of batting to the back and arms of the chair. This will help to give the chair a softer feel and create a smooth surface for the new fabric.
2. After placing the batting, use a staple gun to attach the tack strip along the curved edges of the chair’s back and arms. Ensure the tack strip is secure and tight against the chair’s surface.
3. Lay the new fabric over the batting, making sure it covers the entire back and arms of the chair. Smooth out any wrinkles or bumps in the fabric.
4. Tuck the edges of the fabric into the tack strip, using a flat tool such as a putty knife or screwdriver to push it into the strip. Ensure that the fabric is tight and neatly folded.
5. Use a hammer to close the tacks in the tack strip, securing the fabric in place. Make sure the tack strip is not visible once the tacks are closed.
6. To create a polished look, add piping to the seams of the chair. Cut strips of piping and sew them onto the edges of the fabric, ensuring that they are evenly spaced and neatly sewn.

FAQs

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