DiyProject

Revive a Classic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wingback Chair Reupholstery

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Have you ever spotted a vintage wingback chair with "good bones" but a tired look? Don’t let a little worn-out fabric stop you from owning a masterpiece. Reupholstering a chair is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can take on, allowing you to customize your home decor with professional-grade quality. In our latest tutorial, Eric Grant walks you through the entire process of stripping down and rebuilding a classic wingback, turning a thrift-store find into a modern showstopper.
Video Chapters:
  • Assessing and Prepping the Chair – 1:21
  • Removing Old Fabric – 2:19
  • Cutting New Fabric – 10:08
  • Sewing the Decking Fabric 17:08
  • Attaching the Decking Layer – 20:44
  • Creating a Pattern for the Arm – 39:02
  • Crafting and Sewing Piping – 45:12
  • Securing Fabric to the Arm – 49:11
  • Upholstering the Inside Backrest – 1:17:21
  • Upholstering the Inside Wing Panels – 1:22:23
  • Applying Fabric to the Outside Wing – 1:30:51
  • Fastening the Seat Back Fabric – 1:45:21
  • Adding Piping and Installing the Dust Cover – 1:51:33
Materials List:
  • Upholstery Tack Strips
  • Flexible Metal Tack Strip
  • CushionRite® Cotton Upholstery Batting
  • Decore & Upholstery Fabric we used Outdura® Geo Nautical and Coastline Sterling Upholstery Fabric
  • Upholstery Decking Tan Fabric
  • CushionRite® Polyester Batting
  • 5-Ply Waxed Flat Polyester Twine 1 oz.
  • 21 Gauge 3/8" (10mm) Staples (Galvanized)
  • Foam Piping 5/32"
  • Plastic Upholstery Tack Strip 1/2"
  • Hot Melt Acrylic Glue Stick
  • Furniture Lining & Dust Cover Fabric
Tools List:
  • Staple Lifter
  • Kai Stainless Steel Bent Handle 9" Scissors
  • Staple Remover
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24"
  • Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package
  • Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife
  • Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)
  • Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table
  • CushionRite® Spray Adhesive 16.9 oz. 
  • Assorted Curved Upholstery Needles
  • Sailrite® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun
  • 12" Upholstery Regulator
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material
  • Magnetic Tack Hammer
  • Fabric Edge Match Pliers
  • T Pins 2" Long
  • Bakelite Mallet 13 oz.
  • Surebonder® HE-750 Professional Glue Gun

The wingback chair is a staple of comfort and style, perfect for sprucing up a cozy reading nook, adding a touch of elegance to an RV interior, or even creating durable, stylish seating for a covered patio. While these chairs are known for their iconic "wings" and deep cushions, their complex curves can be intimidating for beginners. This video breaks down those challenges, showing you exactly how to handle shaped arm fronts and curved frames that you won't find in standard tutorials.

One of the standout features of this project is the two-style fabric approach. We used Outdura® upholstery fabric, a high-performance acrylic that is highly stain-, water-, and mildew-resistant—making it a strong choice for busy households or sun-drenched rooms. By using a patterned fabric on the exterior and a solid color on the interior, you can create a sleek, custom look that reflects your personal style.

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Key Techniques You'll Learn:

  • Strategic Teardown: How to carefully remove old fabric, staples, and the Cambric Dust Cover to prepare the frame.

  • Precision Patterning: Using Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material to create perfect templates for complex, contoured arms.

  • Comfort Rebuilding: Replacing old padding with fresh cotton batting and polyester Dacron to restore that "sink-in" comfort.

  • Professional Details: Tips for installing piping (welting) on a bias and using flexible metal tack strips to achieve crisp, clean edges on every curve.

To get the job done right, Eric utilizes some of our favorite shop essentials. You’ll see the Sailrite® Edge® Hot Knife in action, which is a game-changer for sealing the edges of acrylic fabrics to prevent fraying. For the assembly, the power and precision of a Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Sewing Machine make sewing through multiple layers of heavy upholstery fabric and piping a breeze. We also highlight specialized tools like the Sailrite® Staple Remover and Long Nose Upholstery Stapler, which turn the most tedious part of the job into a quick, satisfying task.

If you’re ready to take your sewing skills to the next level, this tutorial is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re a hobbyist or looking to master the craft, these techniques are foundational for any upholstery project. Once you've mastered the frame, be sure to check out our companion video on building the perfect T-cushion to complete your chair's transformation!

Tools List
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