An outdated recliner can take on a whole new look with upholstering.
Recliners make comfortable additions to any living space. Because they extend out from the seat, they provide a place to put up your feet and relax. If you have a favorite recliner that is looking a little worse for wear, try reupholstering it for an updated look that coordinates with your home's motif. This project requires no sewing skills, so it is the perfect project for even the novice do-it-yourselfer. You need only basic tools to complete this project. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Strip the chair of any previous fabric. Use a sharp razor to cut away fabric, or unzip cushion covers. Under the chair's frame, fabric might be stapled in place. Remove the staples with a screwdriver or chisel by prying them loose from the chair's frame.
2. Assess the quality of the cushions. Recliners are often well-used pieces of furniture that can start to look a little worn over time. Remove and replace or add a second layer of upholstery foam to damaged areas. A layer of cotton batting sprayed to the chair with spray adhesive will add extra plush to the cushion.
3. Work in sections to create pattern pieces for the recliner. Create a pattern by tracing out the shape of your recliner on a sheet of muslin cloth. Trace the chair's back, sides, arm rest and seat. Fully extend the chair to create a pattern for the seat's built-in ottoman. Add 2 inches to the sides of each pattern piece. This excess will be tucked in or cut away during the upholstery process.
4. Position the muslin cloth pattern pieces over your new upholstery fabric. Trace around the sides and cut out your pieces.
5. Cover the seat and ottoman of the chair first. Position your fabric in place and staple to the underside of the chair's frame. Tuck the material tightly into the seat's corners. Extend the seat of the chair to cover the ottoman feature, stapling material underneath. If you are concerned about the staples being visible under the chair, cover with a piece of interfacing in a corresponding color.
6. Continue to cover the chair's armrests and back. In areas where stapling is not an option, you will need to insert the fabric into the seams of the chair with a flexible jaw strip. Position the stripping over your fabric along the seams of the chair. Tap it in place with a mallet to hide the stripping and attach the fabric.
7. Add decorative detailing as needed. Use hot glue to add piping or ribbon over the seam of your recliner and to hide staples.
Tags: chair frame, chair cover, chair with, muslin cloth, over your, pattern pieces, seams chair