These are some tips to keep in mind if you’re looking to reupholster an old armchair with wooden arms. First, you should choose the right material. You can either choose leather or fabric. It is important that you choose the right fabric and that you place the staples frequently.
Fabric vs. leather
You might be wondering what material is best for reupholstering an armchair with wooden legs. When choosing the fabric, there are several things you should keep in mind. Leather is less flexible than other fabrics and some furniture shapes are difficult to reupholster with leather. You will also need to use advanced upholstering techniques.
First, consider the cost. Reupholstering an armchair with wooden arms can cost between $350 and $700. A traditional dining room table with six chairs will set you back $900 to $3,600. Alternatively, a recliner can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000. A recliner can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000. Leather can also be purchased for between $40 and $250 per yard.
Consider the shape of your armchair when choosing a fabric to reupholster. This will influence the type of fabric that you choose. Some chairs will require nine yards of fabric. This is more expensive than chairs with two or three feet. Timing is another important aspect. If you need the chair reupholstered immediately, you may be better off buying a new one.
Staples
You will need to cut a piece to fit the armchair’s shape. Then, you can staple it into place. To prevent the glue from cooling too quickly, work in small sections. You can then trim the staples. A good rotary cutter, a cutting board, and sharp sewing tools are all you will need.
When reupholstering an armchair, the seat fabric must match the pattern on the back and sides. You will need to cut a 2 inch wide piece of fabric to match the fabric. Make sure to place the staples about an inch from each corner when you tape the fabric. You can repeat this process for the back and sides. Once the seat and back are covered, you can move on to the sides.
Choosing the type of staples to use for your project is important. You can use either fine wire or medium wire staples. The most common types of staples are 20 and 22 gauge, but you can also find smaller ones. You can also use narrow crown staples, which are six millimeters wide, which allow for more flexibility in your upholstery project.
Stapling
The first step in upholstering an armchair with wooden arms is to cover the wooden arms and seat. You can use either fabric or foam for the seat and cover it with staples. No matter what material you choose, make sure the fabric covers both the back and seat of the chair. Before staple-gunning, make sure that the fabric is properly centered on the back of the chair. You can also use upholstery pins to adhere the fabric to the chair’s seat cushion.
You must prepare the fabric before staple-gluing it to the seat. If the seat cover has a pattern, cut it using a tack hammer or cut tacks. The large head of the staple gun can obstruct fabric in tight spots.
Next, place the fabric panel on top of the seat. Next, place the fabric panel over the seat. Now, staple the fabric to the back panel, following the silhouette of the chair. You can fold the edges of the fabric to make them look extra clean and neat. Upholstery nails can be used instead of staples if you don’t have the time or desire to use them.
Making v-cuts
First, remove any existing fabric from the arm. This piece is the stretcher material. It will go around the frame and be tacked to the rear of the chair. Cut a v-shape in the fabric, which is approximately 6.5 inches wide. This cut will be visible from your sitting position. Cut too shallowly, and the fabric will pucker.
Fold the fabric in half, matching the center of your motif. Once you have centered the fabric, snip its edge at an angle. This will create a “V-shaped” notch in your seam allowance. Make sure that you do not cut into the visible part of the fabric.
Before you begin reupholstering your chair you need to remove the old fabric. This will allow you measure the seam allowance accurately. You can also use a seam ripper to cut out the fabric thread. After this step, you should use a chalk pencil or permanent marker to mark the fabric panels. Once you are ready to replace your fabric, attach it using staples or tack strip.
