Noah Sinclair
Recovering chairs with nail trim can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and guidance, it is possible to achieve professional-looking results. Whether you're working on a dining chair, an office chair, or a family heirloom, there are several steps to follow for successful reupholstering. This process involves removing the old fabric, nails, and staples, choosing new fabric, and adding decorative trim and nailheads for a polished finish. With careful measurements, attention to detail, and creativity, you can give your chairs a fresh new look while preserving their structural integrity.
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What You'll Learn
Removing nails and fabric
Before you start removing the nails and fabric, it is important to carefully examine the chair. Note the placement of the nails and fabric, and if possible, take pictures of the chair from multiple angles. This will help you when it comes to re-assembling the chair with new fabric.
Now, begin by removing the nails. Do this as carefully as possible, and consider using a staple puller to save your nails and avoid broken nails. Place the removed nails in an open container to avoid misplacing them.
Once the nails are removed, take off the seat of the chair, followed by the fabric. If possible, keep the existing fabric in good shape, as this will serve as a pattern for your new fabric. Pin the old fabric onto the new one and cut the new fabric to shape, fixing it back into place as you found it. If you are unable to save the old fabric, you can use it as a reference to cut the new fabric to size and replace it where the old material was attached.
If you plan to reuse the trim, try to remove it in one piece. You can then glue it back in place after reupholstering the chair. Alternatively, you can buy a replacement trim that matches the original or is in a colour that you prefer.
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Cutting and pinning new fabric
To start the reupholstering process, you need to remove the nails, tacks, and staples. Then, take off the seat and the top fabric. It is important to be careful during this process to keep the existing fabric in good shape, as this will serve as a pattern for the new fabric. Pin the old fabric onto the new one and cut it to size. You can also use the old fabric to cover the underside of the chair seat, which is a great way to upcycle and keep a bit of the chair's history.
Once you have your new fabric, you can decide whether to put the nails back in or glue a trim in its place. If you want to add a trim, cut strips of fabric to 1.5 inches wide and sew them together end-to-end. Place the ends together at a 90-degree angle and pin them. Sew the pieces together diagonally so that the bulk of the seam is spread out over a larger area and can be more easily concealed. Fold the fabric into thirds lengthwise. You can also use a no-sew option by stapling the fabric to the back of the chair, but make sure to space out the staples so that they fall between every five decorative nailheads.
If you decide to put the nails back in, you can use individual nailheads or nailhead trim strips. You will need a spacer and a hammer, and something to hold the nailhead, such as needle-nose pliers or wire strippers. Place the trim over the raw edges of the fabric and attach the nailheads. You can also use decorative nailhead trim to cover your stitches.
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Replacing padding
When reupholstering a chair, you may want to replace the padding as well as the fabric. This is especially important if the chair is second-hand, as the padding may have been exposed to moisture and could be harbouring mould.
To replace the padding, first, remove the nails, tacks, and staples holding the seat fabric in place. Be careful not to damage the fabric if you want to use it as a template for your new material. Once the fasteners are removed, take out the seat and old fabric. If the fabric is stuck to the frame, you may need to use a screwdriver, utility knife, or angled scraper to pry it off.
Next, assess the condition of the existing padding. If it is dirty, worn, or damaged, it should be replaced. Measure the dimensions of the seat and cut your new padding to size, adding a few inches to each side so that it can be wrapped around the seat. Place the new padding on the seat and secure it in place with staples or glue.
Finally, you can attach your new fabric. Cut your fabric to size, using the old fabric as a template if it is still in good condition. Place the new fabric face down on a flat surface and centre the seat pad on top, with the underside of the seat facing up. Pull the fabric taut and secure it to the underside of the seat with staples or glue, trimming away any excess fabric. Reattach the seat to the chair by screwing it into place or using wood glue.
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Attaching fabric to the chair
Firstly, carefully remove any existing nails, tacks, or staples from the chair, trying to keep the original fabric intact as it will serve as a pattern for the new fabric. If possible, remove the seat of the chair to make the process easier. Once the fasteners are removed, take out the old fabric and use it as a template to cut the new fabric to size.
When measuring and cutting the new fabric, ensure you leave enough excess fabric to work with. You can pin the old fabric onto the new one to get an accurate cut. If you are satisfied with the existing padding, you can keep it and simply cover it with the new fabric. If not, replace the padding before attaching the fabric.
Now it's time to attach the new fabric to the chair. Start by placing the fabric over the chair, ensuring it is pulled taut to avoid any wrinkles. Secure the fabric in place by stapling or sewing it to the chair frame. If stapling, be sure to line up the fabric and place staples at the mid-lines on each side first, then staple along the edges for a smooth finish.
To conceal the visible staple line, you can add trim by gluing it or using a needle and thread. If you prefer nailhead trim, you can use individual nailheads or nailhead strips, hammering them into place with a spacer and a hammer. For a more seamless look, consider using individual nailheads and placing them at even intervals.
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Adding nailheads and trim
To add nailheads and trim to a chair, you will need to first cut strips of fabric to 1.5 inches wide and sew them together end-to-end. This will create a flat trim to cover the raw edges of the fabric. Place the ends of the fabric together at a 90-degree angle and pin them in place. Sew the pieces together diagonally to create an angled seam that will be easier to conceal. Do a zigzag stitch along one edge of the fabric to prevent fraying, and then fold the fabric into thirds lengthwise.
Next, attach the trim to the chair, starting at the center of the chair back and working outwards to cover the raw edges. You can use individual nailheads or nailhead trim strips for this step. If using individual nailheads, you will need a spacer, a hammer, and something to hold the nailhead, such as needle-nose pliers or wire strippers. Place the spacer against the fabric-covered chair frame and use the hammer to drive the nailhead into the spacer, securing the trim in place.
Finally, finish off the trim by adding covered cording around the bottom of the chair. Cut a strip of fabric about 1.5 inches wide, place the cord in the middle of the back of the fabric, and fold the fabric around the cord. Sew the two layers of fabric together, then attach the cording by flipping the chair onto its front and placing the cording on the edge of the frame.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the nails and the seat. Take out the old fabric and use it as a pattern for the new fabric. Pin the old fabric onto the new and cut. Replace the padding, cover with the new fabric and attach it to the chair. Now, you can decide whether to put the nails back in or glue a trim in their place.
You will need a spacer, a hammer, and something to hold the nailhead. A tack hammer works best, but a regular hammer will also do the job. You can use needle-nose pliers to hold the nailheads, or wire strippers if you prefer something with a flat shape that will give you more control.
Cut strips of fabric to 1.5 inches wide and sew them together end-to-end. Place the ends together at a 90-degree angle and pin them. Sew the pieces together diagonally to spread out the bulk of the seam and make it easier to conceal. Fold the fabric into thirds lengthwise and sew along one edge to prevent fraying. Attach the trim, covering the raw edges of the fabric, and then add the nailheads.
