Getting Started With Upholstery

Class Preview

Breathe new life into the timeless furniture you love! Reupholster a dining chair and side chair as you learn to re-cover your furniture.

Starting the Slip Seat

Meet upholstery instructor Cynthia Bleskachek and preview the essential skills you’ll learn in class. Then, start reupholstering a slip seat! Discover which types of fabric work best for upholstery. Learn the proper technique for removing staples from furniture. Plus, get step-by-step instruction on measuring and cutting your new fabric.

Finishing the Slip Seat

Finish upholstering the slip seat from Lesson 1. Cynthia guides you through the process of positioning and tensioning fabric. See how to achieve smooth and even coverage as you upholster the curves and corners of the seat. You’ll be amazed by the professional-looking results!

Starting the Side Chair

Take your skill set to the next level as you reupholster your first chair. In addition to getting tips on selecting an ideal chair for the project, Cynthia shares a trusty method for removing old fabric. You’ll also learn how to accurately measure fabric for a cut list.

The Seat

Once you’ve torn off the old fabric, Cynthia shows you a simple, effective way to measure and cut out the new fabric. Practice basting the seat using Cynthia’s tried-and-true techniques. Then, learn how to make easement cuts to position fabric around the chair’s arm and back posts.

Seat Completion & Inside Back

Focus on upholstering the seat and inside back of the chair. Follow along as Cynthia demonstrates her technique for achieving evenly tensioned fabric in hard-to-reach areas. Worried you’ll make a cutting error? Cynthia offers helpful tips and tricks to troubleshoot common problems.

Outside Back

Learn to upholster the outside back of the chair. You’ll see how to create a clean edge using a cardboard tack strip. Then, Cynthia gives step-by-step instruction on padding the back with burlap and batting. Plus, practice closing up the sides with metal tack strips.

Finishing & Variations

Put the finishing touches on your chair by attaching the bottom cloth and covering visible staples. Want to personalize your chair even more? Cynthia shows you simple techniques for adding upholstery buttons and a lovely nailhead trim.