Ever see a chair in a thrift store and think "that would look great if it were reupholstered" and then keep walking? Upholstery can be pricey to out source and intimidating to take on yourself. I have finally tackled this new world of crafting and it wasn't nearly as terrifying as I imagined! It all started at an Antique Mall in Dothan, AL with this sweet little bench they were selling for $35.00.
Despite the loose fitting blue crushed velvet it was in great condition and I had high hopes. Fast forward 3 years and I've finally worked up the courage to give it a face lift. Hey, sometimes you have to be really ready!
OK, I'm not going to step by step you to death about reupholstering something because it would probably bore you to tears and take up 35 pages. I am going to list some tips that I didn't see in any of the YouTube videos I prepared myself with and just a few things I wish I had known before I dove in. Here we go!
- Start by removing the bottom covering and the legs. That will give you an insight into what piece/panel of fabric you should remove first. You should remove them in the reverse order they were put on so you can see the order they'll need to go back on in.
- You will spend hours removing staples so get your favorite station on Pandora and sing your way through it. Even better, buddy up and it will fly by!
- A magnetic flat head screw driver will be great at prying out the staples and help keep track of them once they are out. You will remove 5 million, approximately. Have some pliers ready for the stubborn ones.
- Take a picture of each piece in the midst of removal so you can reference exactly how it was attached in the first place.
- Be as careful as possible removing the fabric, you'll need to use it as a pattern for your new fabric.
- After removing all of your fabric start with the last piece you took off and begin tracing, cutting, and stapling it back on. Give yourself a couple inches of extra fabric when tracing. It is much easier to trim off excess than have to re-cut because you don't have enough. Also, folding an edge over in some places will make a cleaner edge and prevent fraying.
- Iron all the new pieces before you staple them on!! It will make the finished product look extra crisp and professional.
- Don't loose hope if you mess up! (It helps if you have extra fabric to fall back on, especially if you're a first timer.) I used a painter's tarp that is 12x12 because I wanted the linen look without the price tag. I used about a third of it on this and will be doing a wing back chair as well.
OK, here is my finished product:
I am so in awe of my "new" bench it hasn't even housed any laundry yet! I also used to let the dog nap on it but he has been banished to the bed (it's a rough life, I know!) I get giddy thinking that I paid about $50 all said and done for this great piece! I hope this inspires you to do a re-upholstery project of your own! I love the stories behind old furniture and decor. (OK, everything can't be an antique- my bed is totally IKEA!) This piece brings back great memories of Antiquing my way through Alabama and now it represents a completed vision. Success!
