A kitchen or dining chair with a seat that drops into a timber frame is ideal for learning the basics of upholstery.

*Quantities given are for this particular kitchen chair. Please compare to your own requirements.

You'll need
Foam: 12mm thick, grade #24-160
Fabric: 0.5 m
Calico: 0.5 m
Tacks or staples

Here's how
Covering the chair
1. Strip off the old covers and foam foundation carefully. Check the chair frame and repair and paint if required.
2. Place the new foam on top of the seat frame and existing stuffing. Cut around the foam so that it is 7mm larger than the frame on all sides.
3. Measure the chair seat and cut and fit the seat cover. If the cover has a motif or pattern, make sure it is centred on the seat.
4. Strain the new cover over the foam.
5. Finish the corners with double pleats and check that the drop-in seat fits neatly into the frame. Trim any excess fabric from under the seat.

Calico dust cover
6. To finish the uncovered area under the seat, cut out a piece of calico approximately 25mm larger than the area to be covered.
7. Position the calico over the uncovered area and fold the edges under. Place a permanent staple in the centre of each side of the calico.
8. Strain the folded edges of calico from the centre staple towards the corners and staple the calico at the corners. Fill in the gaps between the centre and corner staples with more staples, making sure that the calico is evenly strained.

Source:Upholstery Basics and Repairs (Murdoch Books)