How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair

Would you believe me if I told you almost any outdated dining chair can be transformed into perfection using this no-sew re-covering method? That’s right, no sewing machine required–just a stapler, some scissors and a hammer. In this easy series, I’ll show you how refresh the padding with a soft layer of batting, staple fabric around the seat cushion and backrest, add a super simple “panel” to the back to hide all your handiwork, and then finish with a dust cover on the underside. And don’t let the number of steps scare you away–the instructions are simple, but I’m visual, so it’s really just an extra amount of photos so you can see how easy it all comes together step-by-step! Also, if you’re an upholstery guru, please know that I recognize there are specialty tools and advanced techniques for this process, but the goal of this project is to get professional-looking results using only what is already available in my workshop.

Blog Post: No-Sew Dining Chair Transformation
Part One – Add the Batting
Part Two – Fabric the Seat
Part Three – Fabric the Seat Back
Part Four – Secure the Panel
Part Five – Dustcover

TIP: Click the tabs below to see the tools, materials and cut list.

Cost: About $25 per chair depending on price of fabric

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Moderate. While no sewing is required, adjusting and stapling the fabric in place takes time and patience.

Note: This list may contain affiliate links

Flexible Tape Measure
Staple Gun
Scissors
Mallet or Hammer
Tin Snips to cut the metal tack strips
Needle Nose Pliers to remove staples
Flathead Screwdriver to tuck fabric
Iron to smooth the folds and tighten the fabric

Note: This list may contain affiliate links

3/8-inch staples
Fabric – Get 2 yards per chair
Batting – Get 1½ yards per chair
Dust Cover Fabric – Get about ½ yard per chair

Seat

Width – Stretch the tape measure across the seat cushion. Pull the tape down around the edges of the cushion until you reach the inside edge of the wood framing below on each side.
Depth – Slip the tape measure between the seat cushion and backrest. Pull the tape down around the edges of the cushion until you reach the inside edge of the wood framing below at both the front and back of the seat.

Backrest

Height – Starting on the backside of the top edge (rolled or straight), stretch the tape up and over the top of the chair, down the front side, between the seat and backrest, along the back edge of the seat cushion, and down to the inside edge of the wood framing below.
Width – Stretch the tape measure across the backrest. Pull the tape around the edges of the cushion until you reach the inside edge of the wood framing on the backside.

Panel

Height – Measure from the top edge of the backrest (or from the wood beneath the rolled edge) down the backrest, past the seat cushion, and under the seat to the wood framing.
Width – Measure the full width of the backrest, and then add two inches for the tack strips.

Dust Cover

Width and Depth – Measure the total width and depth of the underside of the seat, and then add two inches to each measurement to allow the edges to fold under.

Tack Strip

Length – Measure from the underside of the roll to the bottom edge of the seat.

Steps

1. Prep the Chair

Remove old fabric and staples. If necessary, sand, stain, and polyurethane the legs. Using a flexible tape measure and the cut list instructions above, measure the chair. Using sharp scissors, cut the batting, fabric and dust cover pieces to size.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 1

2. Attach the Batting to the Seat

Lay the batting over the seat so that it drapes equally over the front and side edges. Pull the front of the batting over the edge of the seat cushion, and then down to the wood framing below. Using a staple gun, attach the batting to the bottom edge of the wood framing.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 2

3. Slit the Batting

Lightly tuck the batting into the crease at the back of the seat cushion, and then fold it forward onto itself. Locate the inside edge of the back legs in the crease. Now cut a slit that angles outward and ends at the inside edge of each leg.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 3

4. Staple the Batting in Place

Using a staple gun, secure the sides of the batting along the underside on the wood frame. Pull the back flap of batting between the seat and backrest cushions. If the batting tears or is difficult to pull though, don’t worry–just pull and staple what you can to the underside of the seat.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 4

5. Trim Around the Legs

Pull the batting flat across the front edge of the seat. Trim the bottom edge of the excess flush with the bottom edge of the cushion along the face and side of the leg.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 5

6. Secure the Excess Batting

Now pull the excess around the side of the leg. Tuck the remaining section under the seat, and secure to the wood frame with staples. Repeat to trim and secure the batting around the remaining legs.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 6

7. Add Batting to the Backrest

Drape the batting over the backrest. Now pull the batting around to backrest to reach the wood framing on each side. Staple the batting to the back edge of each wood piece.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 7

8. Attach the Batting to the Rolled Edge

Pull the batting over the rolled top edge, and then staple it to the wood strip found just below the rolled (or flat) top of the backrest.

How To Re-Cover a Dining Chair Part 1 by Build Basic - Step 8

9. Trim the Batting

You’ll now notice a large amount of “wings” extending beyond the top edges of the backrest. Trim off some of the batting, and then fold and smooth it is much as possible.