Love, Love, LOVE the fabric!!! Thank you for the info on where you got it. Such a great bargain. I immediately went to country curtains to see if any more was available. Too bad. It's only available in cream.
AND what a beautiful job you did on the chair. It's just GORGEOUS!

Bowing to the master! awesome job. Can you share which youtube videos were most informative etc? thanks!

Wow this came out awesome! AND the match with the love seat is incredible! You must be so happy to have a new room! The color is amazing!
I love it when we can find something and then 'refit' it into our world making it uniquely ours.

AND your FIRST time upholstering! I think there might be more in your future!

Did you get an upholsterer's staple puller? I am getting one before I attempt my next project!

I love that you did the welting the right side of the fabric.

I really like how your love seat looks with that fabric! What a great match... well I could go on and on... will take a break so others can post too! LOL LOVE IT!
You are one talented lady!

Wow, you did a spectacular job!

Simply amazing.

Wow! You did a fantastic job and the fabric is just beautiful and a great deal! I, too, have always wanted to reupholster...I have two chairs I bought at a thrift store years ago that are in desperate need of reupholstering, but I haven't had the nerve (or time/energy with two little ones!). You have inspired me to think about tackling one this summer!

That is wonderful, my3dogs! I am in awe of your skill and perseverance!

Is there nothing you can't do???? Absolutely amazing and the match was spot on!!!!

Great job!

ML

Wow, beautiful work! The chair turned out perfectly. And Riley is adorable!

Amazing, BDM! I always love your projects!

Thanks, Busybee, I have sewn since I was young, so that didn't scare me; it was all the other stuff that I hadn't tried. I'll admit my right hand was awfully sore after all that staple pulling as they were in there SO tight and many broke and required needle nose pliers to pull out. I know I'd need more raw material like tack strip, and the metal toothed stuff called 'curve ease' to do a wing type chair, but that is next on my list to try.

I spent hours looking up tools, and just Googling things like 'making double welting'. I couldn't have done this without the research on my PC.

Nancy, I did make the welting and despite what I'd read online about double welt being a PITA, it wasn't at all. You just cut the bias strips of fabric wider than when you make single welt. For my single welt, I cut it 2" wide, and for the double, I did 3". I bought the welt cord at Fabric Guru, as it was cheapest there for me. I found that Southern Maine has next-to-nothing for upholstery supplies. I bought the 5/32" diameter.

Sumac, I even went there to see if they had more, as I wondered if I'd have enough to do all the welting. It is WONDERFUL fabric, and what a great buy! I'm sorry there isn't any more.

Cooperbaily, Hmm, good question. I'd just Google what I needed and then read or watch whatever came up. Since I sew, it was more of 'let me see how they do this?', like the double welt. I'll be looking for a whole new set of them when I try a chair that has 'regular arms' like a wing back. Just search on 'how to upholster' and watch a bunch. I found them very interesting as I have wanted to try this for so long, I soaked them up like a sponge!

Mary Ruth - it's so nice to see you over here. Yes, I first bought a cheap tack puller at Joann Fabric, and it went right back. The shaft was round and twisted within the handle, as I tried to pry out staples, and was useless. I ended up buying the one I linked below, after reading that it was the best. This was the best price I could find, and it came in 2 days from WA state!

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I will admit to having bought chairs in the past from CL, and having them sit in the cellar for ages and then giving them to friends! I think I was 'scared' by the fact that they were regular wing back types, and it was (and still is) a mystery to me how they get the nice tight fit in the area between the arms and the back. With the right materials and tools, I think I can do it.

This style that I love and is so hard to find locally gave me the courage. Although, when the upholsterer dropped off my loveseat Friday, when he saw it, he said 'OH, that style is the worst to do!' I couldn't imagine what he meant, and he said it's the thousands of staples to pull! He said that a client had just dropped off 3 of this style at his shop, and asked me if I wanted to do them. :-)

I just love fabric, and there are SO many bargains to be had online. Once I did the back cushion, and saw how much nicer the frame looked with colors that complimented it, it really spurred me on.

I also discovered a wonderful glue, for those who may now try this. 'Magna-Tac 809' which I bought from Amazon. When I glued the welt on, I used that, and just held it in place with common pins til it dried. I'd put a staple in tight areas or on the curves, and removed them when the glue dried.

I also ordered some upholstery glue sticks, for my glue gun, but they aren't here yet. I bought them from this site http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com/customer-service.html and got their #2003 Upholstery Glue Sticks. But after ordering them, I asked my upholstery guy what HE uses, and he just buys them at Lowes!

I'd encourage anyone who sews, that you CAN do this. You just have to want to, and have a fabric you love, and when you see it coming along, you'll wonder why you waited so long, just like I did! An assistant, like Riley makes the going a bit slower, but he wanted so badly to be part of the process.

Here is a link that might be useful: BERRY STAPLE REMOVER-PULLER

M3D, It is gorgeous and I echo yayagirl, is there anything you can't do?

Did you buy/use a double welting foot for the welting or did you use a zipper foot? Or something altogether different?

DD and I are going to try to do a similar chair in the near future, EXCEPT we are going to have the ottoman with a semi-attached cushion done by a professional.

Brillant job!!

Another echo here: Is there ANYTHING that you can't do?? You are just the bravest person that will try, learn and do stuff!:)

Really really well done indeed! :)

Thanks AGAIN, you wonderful supporters!

bbstx, I just used a zipper foot for the whole welting making, from start to finish. In this blog below, she switches back to the regular all-purpose foot, but I didn't and found it very easy to do the second row of stitches with the zipper foot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sewing Your Own Double Welt Cord

My3 - excellent job! The chair turned out beautifully and looks wonderful with the loveseat! Be sure and show us a pic of the finished room.

tina

Thank you for posting your upholstery experience! I am inspired by your fantastic job and will bookmark this post. I am hoping to attempt an upholstery project in the near future.

Did you use a special staple gun and/or a compressor?
Also, did you need to replace any of the foam?
If yes to either question, where did you purchase these and what type did you use?

Laurie

Dear 3dogs...!

I know you have heard what a great job you did plenty of times, but if you are like me, if I could dissolve praise in saline and shoot it directly into my veins, I would - so I'm joining in.

Wow. What a great job you did. I've done a lot of decorating things, but have never braved upholstery, and I bow to your determination, your confidence, your scholarship, and your skill!

You never cease to amaze me, woman! Your talent, your eye, your DEALS, for crying out loud! (The universe obviously supports your endeavors wholehearedly!) Another fabulous project completed by My3dogs! The final result in a word: Gorgeous!!!

What a wonderful job you've done, that chair is going to make you happy every day you have it. :)

You guys are going to make me cry! I've just come inside from pruning a huge honeysuckle that is a TREE, that's how old it is, and a young friend is here, and let's just say, ladders, 80 foot oak tree, chainsaw...and no blood drawn!

Stinky, this WAS a great deal on the chair...who knew that it would be Drexel, and in PERFECT condition! I hate to take it off the card table, as I know it'll turn into a dog bed on legs. I'll have to cover it with a sheet and watch it carefully, so that no one named Riley notices those wooden arms and tries to nibble them.

There is a GREAT (for me) story behind my electric staple gun...It is a Arrow ET155 Pro Shot that lists for $220. A seller on Amazon had 2 of them, and the price was $22!! I wrote to ask if the price was correct, after putting one in my cart and didn't hear back from him, so completed the purchase. Well, he had mis-priced it, and marked the other one up, but he let the sale go through! So, I have this wonderful, so easy to use stapler for next to nothing. I thought about getting one that uses an air compressor, but that's too much work... That makes this whole chair deal even sweeter, to now have that tool.

I didn't need to replace any foam except for a thin layer on the back of the chair, and the cushions are down, and in like-new condition, I did wrap them in batting to give them a bit more oomph, though!

Bronwynsmom, you are absolutely right..to have the compliments of cyber friends on our ventures is very uplifting. All of you ladies have made my day.

Fantabulous!!! Love the side of the fabric you chose to use. It looks wonderful.

Oh my AND down-filled cushions! And the deal you got on the stapler! I use DH's compressor and his staple gun. Works so fast it startles me sometimes.

I also need one of those, and a small hammer, DH took mine and can't find it. I have two Chinese chairs that need a new seat, so I am going to get new webbing, so need a stretcher and do all the upholstery parts new. They have brass corners on them that tore my chin last week, got to go!!! I will take the frame apart (were made to take apart easily and travel with it) and refinish the wood part, then assemble with new seat and then lumbar support cushion. That will be my Winter project.

Your project came out so nice, you can't stop now! I also need to make slip covers for my settees, but someone suggested why not just reupholster them? hummmm after the chairs I will consider for next year perhaps....

Beautiful job. It looks professionally done and I am amazed it is your first time!
I like the slight contrast of the welting being "opposite" sides.
Gorgeous!!!! Congrats. You should be super proud!

I can add nothing to what everyone else said. But you do know that all our "beautiful" and "wonderful" and so on matter little compared to the expert, so.....does Riley approve? ;)

You are one talented lady and such an inspiration.

That was a first? Wow! Excellent job....most impressive.

Ha! Does Riley approve? I got brave and put the chair on the floor of my office/sewing room a few minutes ago. I had an old sheet ready to cover it and did, but he launched himself onto it within seconds. I watched in horror as he twirled and dug and hauled the sheet around with his paws and teeth for probably 5 minutes before he was satisfied. Satisfied that no part of him was on the sheet, but only in direct contact with the chair fabric. WHAT is the difference? How can they tell?

Great fabric, super job on the welting and the tight, clean attaching of the fabric. Cushions look plump and comfy.

Just a wonderful piece of work all around. No wonder Riley loves it so!

Wonderful job as always. You are so talented and obviously very patient.

I think Ms. Mustardseed blog has a tutorial/video on how to cover a wing back chair. I think it's in 3 parts. Check it out.

OH. MY. GOD!!! It looks terrific! You did such a great job, I am in awe.

I want just a fraction of the talent exhibited on this forum!

Inspiring.

Good job, lovely chair, great dog.

Red

Wow......just wow! I've read every post but I haven't seen any mention of the type sewing machine you used. For that weight fabric and welts, can you share info on the sewing machine? Thanks!

Great pic, great story! Kudos!

OMG!!!! That is one stunning chair and to think you did the work yourself is amazing! It is a perfect combo with your beautiful loveseat.

Your dog is way too cute! He actually matches your furniture!

Seriously, can you come and redo some of my stuff? :)

You did a fantastic job, my three dogs.
The chair looks fantastic, you should be proud.

I'm sure you've inspired many members of this forum.
J

I hope more of you will give this a try, if you've wanted to like I did. I think that this style of chair was what gave me the incentive needed, as there is nothing hidden on it for me to wonder how the fabric gets tucked in, like between the arms and body of a wing chair. But, I will surely be checking out Miss Mustard Seed's tutorial. There are some on You Tube that are done by upholstery pros that are good, but with this style - it was all right out there to see.

annz, if you look in the background of that last pic, you'll see my possibly 15 year old 'regular' Singer sewing machine, model 9018, that I have used for many years to do all my sewing. Not at all fancy.

Even though this fabric is upholstery weight, it's soft, and not stiff at all. I went slowly when I had 4 layers, like doing the welt on the cushions, but I didn't even change to a heavy duty needle! The seat cushion took the longest, as it's made in several pieces. There are 4 sections to the band that joins the top and bottom, and a recessed area on each side where the arms meet the seat frame.

aktillery, I've been in touch with the very nice man who sold me the chair. I showed him the back cushion when I made it, and then this weekend, at his request, sent pictures of the finished product. He emailed 'What a change!!! It looks terrific. How much do you want for it? Only kidding. Are you interested in slip covering and refoaming a 2 piece sectional sofa?'

YIKES! I had to decline, as I am a true newbie and have a lot to learn, but that was sweet of him to ask. Plus, I have a full time job.

Riley is sharing my office chair with me right now, as he does every day that I work. Once the three 'kids' have their breakfast, they spend most of the day with me in my office. Riley leaps into my chair behind me and we 'bond' for about an hour. I don't see how it can be comfy for him, packed tightly behind me, but it's a daily routine!

my3dogs, another A-M-A-Z-I-N-G job! If you offered classes in how to buy on ebay/craigslist and all of your diy projects, you'd have lots of people waiting to sign up! Beautiful choice of chair, fabric and of course workmanship. Thoroughly enjoy your posts, so thanks so much for sharing!

When it comes to upholstery, it's always seemed to me that it should come with a "Don't try this at home" warning. I keep coming back to this thread to look at your chair. It's incredible!

I was just browsing CL and saw a similar chair for 60.00 if anyone in the Houston area wants to give it a crack. I would but I just bought a channel back chair for 40.00 off CL and my hub would knock me silly if I bought another one so soon. lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Craig's List chair

Lazydaisy! You made me laugh... I sure used to think that way, but the sewing background helps a LOT. I may be right back here after my next experiment (none pending yet) with upholstery and admit that I have made a big mistake, but I sure hope not. I LOVE home dec, and it needs to be on a budget. I also love to sew and wallpaper, and this sort of thing is similar, with lining up patterns (if possible) and just being careful and taking it slowly. If you can get the chair and the fabric inexpensively, what a custom bang you can get for your buck!

ghostlyvision - Great find! I am still checking 'my' CL for chairs like that, not that I have a place to put another, but I so enjoyed seeing how the before turned into the after. I think the great fabric is 90% of the appeal. I'm still giddy over paying $3.99 a yard for it!

Gasp! This is gorgeous.

I have two similarly shaped chairs that are currently covered in gold crushed velvet. That was fun for a while, but we are all grown up now and so over the bohemian phase. We were thinking of getting rid of them when we move in a few weeks, but your photos are so inspiring that I have GOT to give this a try.

The fabric is just perfect. Your spirit of adventure is what is inspiring me here, but I will add that you also have great taste :)

PS -- I've just used a small flat screwdriver and a pair of pliers to pull out the old staples and nails. Is the upholstery tool really easier?

qknitter - You are LUCKY! Can you shows us 'before' pics?

The staples in this chair were incredibly hard to pull out. There was NO WAY I could get them out with even a less expensive tack puller. If yours come out with a screwdriver and pliers, I'm jealous. Many of mine broke as I tapped the tack puller into them.

The 'real' upholsterer showed me that I had been using my tack puller incorrectly. I was just taking those sharp points and trying to wedge them under the top of the staple, and then prying them out. He grabbed a small hammer that I had in here and he used that to it the wooden handle of the tack puller and drive it up under the tack, then push on the handle to bring the staple up. 99% of them still needed to be pulled out with pliers or 'side cutters' that I have similar to what I linked below. The cutters are very sharp, so they sometimes cut the tack I was trying to pry out and the fun continued, but I was determined after making that back cushion and seeing the improvement.

If your tacks come out easily, you're very lucky. The upholsterer saw my chair and said 'It's the worst type to re-do' and that's because of all the staples. I did spend hours removing them, but sewed in between sessions to rest my hands.

Here is a link that might be useful: Diagonal Cutting Plier

This was the chair that I did last year, was my first attempt at upholstery beyond a dining chair seat. I have made cushion covers with welting before. I was so scared, but it worked out. I made a note of your tools! Thanks for sharing!

this shows before and after. The chair is one of two, so I still have one chair like the peach 'before' photo above. Not sure what I will do with it yet, but I bet it will be all gray!

my3dogs, I will fully admit that I have no idea what goes into reupholstering -- but I am SO impressed by your results! That is amazing!!!

And I

Mary Ruth - it's beautiful! That crisp black welt adds so much, and just as I would expect of you, perfect lining up of the fabric. And the back is tufted! What's so much fun is completely changing the look of a chair with new fabric, and in your case, paint. I bet the other one will look entirely different, and gorgeous!

I was scared but thought I paid little for the chair, and have 2 of them so I went ahead. My grand daughter picked the fabric and I suggested the combination of fabrics. I was a little afraid of the tufting but it worked out with parts from the old before chair.

Thank you! There was a lot of details in changing out fabric and double welting. And the chair has an inside curve so to staple gun (kind used with compressor) was hard to maneuver and get into position, then to make sure nothing human that I own was in the way of the gun in case it slipped at the last moment, since it jumped when the button was pushed! What at time! lol

I had problems with staples too, but there weren't as many as you had to deal with on your chair. So, I got through that part OK. But to put them back in, the wood was a bit harder and dryer so it didn't take the staples all the way in all the time. Oh well, somehow I got through it all!

Wow!!!!! You are really good, this maybe your next career, lol, and I love the fabric. It's soooo gorgeous!