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Step 1
Remove Old Upholstery:
Remove loose cushions from chair and put aside. Remove old upholstery carefully using the tip of the flathead screwdriver and pliers. Avoid tearing, stretching or cutting the fabric. (You will use these pieces as patterns for the new upholstery.) Discard old staples, cardboard or metal strips, tack strips and tacks. Mark each piece as you remove it. Write a description such as "left inside arm" on the right side of the fabric with permanent marker. Unzip the cushion and remove from "pillow case." Using a seam ripper, take the covering apart, marking each piece, and detach the zipper.
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Step 2
Clean and refinish the chair legs or feet if necessary. Let dry thoroughly before proceeding.
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Step 3
Keeping the nap and design of the fabric in mind, lay out the "pattern pieces" right-side up on the new upholstery fabric and weigh down or pin. Cut pieces out leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance from the stitch line where a seam is required. Leave a 2 inch allowance around all other edges. Before you cut, rethink the placement of the pieces: Will patterns match where pieces will be seamed together? Will the nap be running the right way on each piece?
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Step 4
Stitch the pieces together where necessary and press seam open to lie flat. Clip curved seams if necessary. Press wrinkles out of all pieces
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Step 5
If you are using cording to create piping, cover entire length with fabric cut on the bias in strips. Fold in half lengthwise and baste or glue fabric next to the cord, leaving 5/8 inch allowance. If gluing, let dry.
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Step 6
Attach batting with spray fabric adhesive to the areas you need to plump up, if any. (Check arms, back and cushion.)
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Step 7
Inside Back:
Starting with the inside top of the chair, lay the piece in position, draping it over the back of the chair. Beginning in the center, staple the fabric in place pulling it taut to prevent wrinkling. Pull fabric down in front and staple to the wood frame at the back of the seat, starting in the center and working your way out to each side. Next pull the fabric to each side and staple tautly to the sides of the frame of the back of the chair.
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Step 8
Inside Left and Right Arms:
Repeat the same procedure to attach side pieces, one at a time. Pull outside edges taut and staple around the edge onto the outside.
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Step 9
Lower Front:
Attach the lower front, outside piece by stapling the front of the frame of the seat, starting, once again, at the center and working out to the sides. Pull the fabric taut and staple around on the outside edge underneath the frame so the staples are hidden. Pull sides taut and staple onto the frame around on the outside edge of the frame.
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Step 10
Outside Sides and Back:
Sew the outer side pieces to each side of the back piece and press seams flat. Cut the tack strip long enough to run along the front edge of the left side, up and around the back, down the top edge of the right side and down to the bottom front. Push the wrong side of the fabric onto the tacks, about 2 inches from the edge of the material, beginning in the center of the back. Be sure to hold the fabric vertically taught when pushing the fabric onto the tacks. Once the tacking strip is inserted into the cloth, turn the tacking strip over, creating a finished edge. The tacks are now pointing down and the fabric is wrapped around the cardboard strip. Position the strip and use a rubber mallet to hammer the tacks into the frame, beginning with the top, center back and working your way down around to the front and down the sides. Take special care if there is a corner at the top front edge of each side, to be sure there are no tucks or wrinkles in the fabric. Pull the fabric taut around to the underside of the frame and staple in place.
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Step 11
Insole and Bottom:
Cut a piece of canvas or cotton fabric 2 inches larger than the inside bottom of the seat. Press edges under and staple in place, hiding raw edges of the upholstery fabric. Repeat the process for the underside of the chair.
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Step 12
Cushion:
Following the pattern, seam the back side pieces with a basting stitch and install upholstery grade zipper according to package directions. Remove basting stitches. Sew cushion cover together, using piping if desired. Insert cushion, zip closed, and place on the seat of the chair.
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Step 13
Protection:
Take your chair outside and spray fabric with a stain protective agent (available in fabric stores). Let dry and air out. Your chair is now ready to grace your living room for years to come.
