Tip #12: Labelling Old Fabric Panels

Reupholstering a chair is not as simple as just picking new fabric and stapling it on. There are important steps to follow, like Tip #12: Labeling old fabric panels. Here's why it's important and how to do it right.

When you take off the old fabric, it's easy to forget where each piece goes. So, labeling each section with a permanent marker helps you keep track. Write things like "Seat", "Inside Back", and "Outside Arms" on each piece.

Draw an arrow on each piece to show which way is up. This is important because some fabrics look different depending on which way you touch them. Cutting them the wrong way can make them look and feel weird.

Even though the original fabric might be worn out, keeping these is helpful. They show you how the fabric was originally placed, like a blueprint and you can use them as rough patterns.

Throw away any old padding that's worn out or smells bad. Fresh padding makes your furniture more comfy and lasts longer. As we mentioned earlier, if you're a beginner chose chairs that don't need new padding!