how to upholster a button back chair

Upholstering a button back chair is a great way to give an old piece of furniture new life. While it might seem like a daunting task, with the right tools and materials, it can be a fun and rewarding project. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of upholstering a button back chair.

Gather Materials

Before you begin, you will need to gather the necessary materials. These include fabric, batting, foam, thread, button covers, button twine, a staple gun, staples, scissors, measuring tape, and a seam ripper. To ensure you have enough fabric, measure the seat, backrest, and arms of the chair and add two inches to each measurement to allow for folding and stapling.

Remove Old Upholstery

The next step is to remove the old upholstery from the chair. Use a seam ripper to gently undo the seams and remove the fabric. As you remove each piece, take note of the order in which they were originally attached to the chair. This will make it easier to reupholster later.

Attach the Foam and Batting

Once the old upholstery has been removed, attach the foam and batting to the chair. Cut the foam to fit the seat, backrest, and arms of the chair. Then, layer the batting on top of the foam and use the staple gun to attach it to the chair. Be sure to pull the batting tight and staple it securely to prevent any wrinkles or lumps.

Attach the Fabric and Buttons

Finally, it is time to attach the fabric and buttons to the chair. Begin by laying the fabric over the batting, making sure it is centered and straight. Pull one side of the fabric tight over the edge of the chair and staple it in place. Repeat on the opposite side, then continue stapling the fabric in place along the backrest and arms of the chair.To create the button tufting, use the button twine to sew through the foam, batting, and fabric at the marked spots. Cover the buttons with your chosen fabric, then sew them onto the twine. Pull the twine tight to create the tufting, then tie it off with a knot.

Conclusion

As you can see, reupholstering a button back chair is not as difficult as it may seem. With a bit of patience and attention to detail, you can transform an old and worn out piece of furniture into a beautiful and functional addition to your home. So go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy your newly upholstered button back chair!