Reupholstering a Wingback Chair – Stripping the Chair

By Dave Donovan

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

We've already covered the materials you'll need to reupholster a wingback chair in the first part of this series, as well as the steps on how to remove the existing fabric.  We also got you started with the instructions for reupholstering the back.  Here, we'll go over how to reupholster the seat and arms.

Reupholstering the Seat

Step 1

Cover the seat with the new fabric and pull it through the back side of the chair. Pulling it tight, staple it to the lower wood bar.

Step 2

At the front section of the seat, pull the fabric tight and staple it to the bottom lip of the chair. Carefully fold the fabric so that it properly frames the wooden legs of the chair.

Step 3 

Take the fabric on the sides of the seat, make a clean pleat, pull it tight and staple it to the wood frame. Cut away any excess fabric (about ¼" from the staples).

Reupholstering the Arms

Step 1

Take the fabric that is cut for the arm and drape it over the correct arm. Fold about 1/3 of the fabric forward where it meets the back of the chair. Find the wooden frame located on the outside of the arm and staple the fabric to it.

Step 2

On the inside of the arm, pull the fabric through the frame all the way through to the outside. Pulling it tight, staple it to the wood frame.

Step 3

Back at the top of the arm, where you folded the fabric forward, locate the center of that piece of fabric. At the center, cut a slit straight back through the fabric to where it folds. Unfold the fabric and pull both ends tight. Staple both sections to the wooden frame.

Step 4

Now, there should be some excess fabric left at the front of the arm. Take that fabric and fold it to the outside of the arm, making a neat pleat. Staple it to the frame.

Repeat these steps for the other arm.

In the next, and final, article, we'll cover the steps to reupholstering the wings and offer some tips on how to finish the wingback chair.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, NJ.  An electrician for 15 years, an injury foced him to pursue his true passion - writing.