How to Reupholster a Wingback Chair! PART 2: Tear Down a Wingback Chair - Thrift Diving

PART 2 of 10: In this video, you'll get to see the continuation of this wingback chair makeover. We're continuing to tear down this wingback chair!
I started a reupholster class (6 sessions) and decided to reupholster this wingback chair that I had bought years ago from the thrift store for $60. In PART 1 of this video series, I began tearing down the wingback chair. In today's video, I am continuing to tear down the chair and dissecting the innards of the chair. I decided that I didn't want to use the fabric I had bought. Instead, I have ordered another fabric that I'll share with you in the next video!
Be sure to subscribe because I'll be posting along the way all the great professional reupholster tips and tricks I learn! You don't want to miss the finished project!
A big THANKS to G Street Fabrics upholstery instructor for allowing me to film and document this process. I appreciate it!
/// CLASS INFO ///
Register for upholstery class if you're in Maryland, DC, or Virginia (click on Reupholstery). Tell the instructor that Serena sent you!:
thriftdiving.com/upholstery-c...
/// FABRIC ///
BUY THE FABRIC (affiliate link): thriftdiving.com/bluevelvet
/// WATCH THE ENTIRE SERIES ///
PART 1 - Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Tear Down a Wingback Chair:
• How to Reupholster a W...
PART 2 - Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Tear Down a Wingback Chair (CONT):
• How to Reupholster a W...
PART 3: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - How to attach webbing (and see what fabric I'll be using!):
• How to Reupholster a W...
PART 4: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - How to Tie 8 Way Hand Tie Springs:
• How to Reupholster a W...
PART 5: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Sewing the Burlap and Creating an Edge Roll With a Blind Stitch
• How to Reupholster a W...
PART 6: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Sewing the Seat and Arms
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ8O4...
PART 7: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Completing the Seat, Front, and Beginning the Arms
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_93DE...
PART 8: Reupholster a Wingback Chair - Finishing the Arms and Wings
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmM_l...
PART 9: Reupholstering the Back and Outside
• How to Upholster a Win...
PART 10: Sewing the Seat Cushion, Refinishing the Feet
• PART 10: How to Reupho...
***************
Check out my Project Gallery:
thriftdiving.com/projects?utm...
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MAILING ADDRESS:
Serena Appiah
P.O. Box 463
Spencerville, MD 20858

[@ThriftDiving]

Check out PART 1 video of this detailed series on how to reupholster a wingback chair! ~~>kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWbaaqasqLedaNE

[@karenthorne2574]

Someone gave me a great tip the first time I upholstered anything. Carefully remove the old fabric and use it as a pattern for the new. No measuring needed.

[@ThriftDiving]

That's a great tip and one I have used often for other projects. For this chair I wanted him to teach me how to measure without an old pattern. I think I just like to make things more challenging! Lol

[@loribragg2947]

Your chair is most definitely worth all this work. It is a genuine antique, solidly made, and has carved feet. No one really makes chairs this detailed and beautiful anymore for less than $1000 a chair. This chair, once reupholstered, is good for another 50 or 60 years if you Scotch Guard the fabric and take good care of it. Your project is definitely WORTH it. 😜👍

[@essencebeasley6524]

The reupholstry instructor has such a soothing voice.

[@lyndamadrid-miller695]

I had horse hair in my wing back chair when I had it reupholstered many years ago. My guy showed me the horse hair that was in it because that’s what they used years ago because they couldn’t afford any other kind of stuffing. Which I thought was very interesting it’s history,

[@wolvessarrah96]

I know from our cotton gin company that cotton usually has two types after being ginned...fluffy white cotton is baled to be made into fabric while the browner cotton remnants have bits of seeds and leaves etc that are used in upholstery... they're ground up very fine and great for car seat batting etc

[@missygrando1965]

I had that same chair in my bedroom back in 2003. I lol'd when you pulled the baggie out.

[@sarad9333]

Great video! Can this instructor please create a KZbin channel because I love him. :)

[@MrMoneyGeek]

Another great transformation. Loving the series.

[@lornashandmadesoaps7034]

This is a great project to do from begin to end. Good luck. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimadams446]

I am itching just watching this.

[@goshenqueen]

So fascinating!!

[@taradise8]

When you take on a monumental project, see it through & end up with fabulous results, it's always worth it in the end. There's so much pride in saying you did it yourself. Good luck, you can do it. Can't wait to see the final results.😊

[@ThriftDiving]

Taradise Thank you! Projects like these build confidence and increase your skill base! :) And it feels good to challenge yourself! 😃

[@poppyshoessp]

Yes, timeless fabric. That last fabric was gorgeous. 😍 I'd like two throw pillows in that fabric.

[@ThriftDiving]

poppyshoessp Which one, the velvet one or the gray and white one?

[@nyag1764]

It's absolutely intimidating!

[@evelynj.amponsah8417]

I,m with you Serena. Part 3.

[@marymary5494]

This is informative, thank you. 👌💕

[@rosepedal05]

Wow you have a lot of helpers

[@ALayne08]

Great project.tfs

[@suzetteanthony5181]

I grew up in the 50's and 60's with a couch that my mom, dad, and uncle made. It had a mid-century modern look. It was a piece of plywood. Then foam and batting covered with fabric. The legs were black iron rods shaped like long pelican beaks. My mother took an upholstery class (like you) to make the two bolsters for the back. There were no arms. This became a bed after the bolsters were removed for sleep overs. We would reupholster as the foam got worn.

[@adriennegonzales2636]

The other reason to leave the fabric on is to study how it was put on more carefully since it's one of your first chairs. It's easy to forget how the corners lay for example. Pictures helpful but while you're doing your planning it's great to see it still on the chair and to have the finished edges to measure from.

[@naturalgalwilliams]

Class is coming along... waiting to see the fabric!!!

[@ThriftDiving]

I just ordered some! Should be here this week on Thursday. I wish I would have it in time for class but I'm pretty sure I won't be anywhere NEAR ready for fabric until I add new webbing and stuff! :)

[@ladyfairfolkart2795]

Thank you for posting this. I have a wing back chair (good make from like 30 years ago) in good shape, but in an ugly pink fabric! Watching your project has inspired me not to reupholster it and just make a slip cover instead. Reupholstering would definitely be more work than I'm willing to do. It's nice to see someone give us the cold hard facts and not glaze over things or do a half arsed job.

[@DanielaSanchezJasmin]

I am in process of reupholstering an old chair. And found your video. Love the details you include, very helpful! Thank you 🙏🏽☀️😊 Am a new subscriber!

[@naturalgalwilliams]

Am I the only one that's itching while looking at the batting.... it's all gotta go, ewwww!

[@ThriftDiving]

Natural Gal Nichol I know! But I did go and buy shampoo and plan to wash the hair today! Lol. Everything else will be replaced!

[@alexisbeck841]

Natural Gal Nichol same

[@sharonarrendale8418]

Natural Gal Nichol I have wanted to do this for years! I would totally take everything off, right down to the wood. Too many creepy crawlies in this old world.

[@vonreeves17]

Oh man, that's a lot of work! I have a couch that I'm trying to reupholster myself! It's not going well so I'm giving up and having a professional do it! I don't want to get rid of it because its a great sturdy couch! But oh well I'm not as crafty and hands on as you! 😊 Anyways can't wait to see your chair when its done!

[@chipietune]

So cool, I would love to do such work for updating my chair. I love the process.

[@ThriftDiving]

Thanks, Celyne! It's a lot of work. LOL. I will be working on the final process very soon so that I can finish the chair!

[@donnam.dominick5576]

Somehow, I missed this being posted but am ever so happy I found it by accident today. I'm eager to see the 3rd in this series!! You are so brave to tackle something like this. When I saw the little bag, I thought, "someone's been beading or making jewelry in this chair." Guess that tells you a little bit about me. ha ha Donna

[@ThriftDiving]

Hey there, Donna! So glad you found my little mini series! I'm going to post another update! I am making progress, although it's slow-going. But it's fun seeing it all come together!

[@lilybecerra2035]

New follower 😀 about to take on the challenge of reupholstering a chair, im so nervous!! Ty for great instructions!

[@FlairelleNet]

This is a huge project

[@ThriftDiving]

Flairelle You are correct, it’s a huge project, but is the ultimate learning experience in upholstering! It’s amazing to see the innards of a chair and to see how it’s all put together and how it must go back together. It’s been rewarding! :)

[@FlairelleNet]

I cannot wait to see the process and the finished results. You are motivating me to renovate my house and do more DIY decor

[@bethbartlett5692]

What's a "Dine or Dime Bag"? It looks like a "Lil-Zippie", an "extra button little bag" that comes with Jackets/Suits. I also get these kind of little zip-lock bags from my Jeweler, to place individual pieces of jewelry in before you put them in their satin jewelry bag, for travel. I think it's probably one of those - I call them "Lil-Zippies" - my Jeweler does now too, ha - A Wing'back is a lot of chair to tackle, when your first starting to learn the trade of the Professional Upholstry Craft. A straight back Upholstered (back and seat) like for a Dining Room or Occassional Chair would be my recommendation. You certainly managed your patience, kept a positive mindset, and felt with all the new challenges like a real pro! There seems to be few that can/will manage this mature minded attitude, they get all in a hurry and want to get right to the final material - and end up either short-cutting and covering what's there, generally making a mess of the project - The wise "Craftsman/Craftsperson" knows, "Regardless what the subject of the project is, the Desired Professional Outcome fully depends on: The Preparation and the Details" This is why House Renovations take time. My rule of forecasting time is add up the expected hours per task and then take that total and multiply by 3. And that's not always enough time for the "little side journeys that can pop up on any given project". NOTE: Always use a perma-marker and write the date of your work on the frame/wood 8nside the item and leave a little note for whomever may come along in 50 years to re-upholster your item. It's an age-old tradition of Craftsman/Craftspeople . Good things happen for folks whom *focus on solutions rather than problems, we tend to get what we focus on.*

[@munchnmonkey]

Usually $10. amount of pot. In the old days (60's) a dime bag was $10 of pot but it filled a usual zip lock bag! WOW! Inflation!!

[@orpheus7551]

Shut it Beth...this isn't about you

[@nonino1644]

@@orpheus7551 You're negative. I enjoyed her comment.

[@orpheus7551]

@@nonino1644 bite me

[@35bam]

@@orpheus7551 Grow up.

[@sunnyfl1700]

I have the same wing chair (which is mine) that I am going to upholster so I am watching many videos how to. I will not calculate fabric , I will remove all the fabric pieces with notes which piece goes first -last and use the old fabric pieces as a pattern to calculate and cut my new fabric. Thank you for great detailed videos . ❤️

[@joanntukes5878]

I am loving her videos!

[@ThriftDiving]

Thank you!!!

[@freefree1433]

So if it’s a basically a new wing back chair. Slightly used. Nice and clean, I just don’t like the printed pattern. Can I just cover the previous fabric instead?

[@kachilda]

I think I would have just given it a good clean and reupholster over it.

[@tangie7]

Good video I would love to take an upholstery class...makes me wonder what’s inside of my wing back chair

[@MyGreenNest]

I think the point of her taking on this big of a project is to get an insight in how this stuff all works.

[@kimadams446]

Wow we have no idea what we are sitting on sometimes. LOL.

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

All good things take time . I have two winged back chairs brand new but I would have loved to have been able to redo all chairs. Don't forget to save some of the original material the colour of the fabric wonderful. That dime bag gave me an idea, put your details what you do and a swatch of the old and new fabric in a water proof bag , that way it will be preserved for the duration. Anyway I can't wait to see how it turns out xoxox

[@ThriftDiving]

Molly Mayor Like a time capsule!! Why do I love that idea so much?!?! Like a business card, right? With a piece of the old and new fabric in the baggie, for the next person to discover in 20 years! Love that!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

Thrift Diving exactly . The fun thing about old furniture is trying to figure out its story. You are doing a great job sweety and you have encouraged me ...we get so caught up with life we forget the past. I honestly can't wait to see the finished project and yes it's hard work but you are doing great work. From my wheelchair it gets a little difficult but I'm still trying and watching your videos reminds me to just try , the worst that can happen is I don't like it but the best is a house full of repurposed furniture that only cost me some paint. I hope you have a great weekend. I oxo

[@ThriftDiving]

I love your positive "go-get-em" attitude! Nothing is going to stop you. YAY! That's very motivating!

[@natashaverbaan7724]

Yeaa part 2 let me get into!!!

[@ThriftDiving]

Natasha Verbaan Lol, have you been waiting? :)

[@natashaverbaan7724]

I've been waiting for the second series and I loved it!

[@theosburns7794]

I swear I seen you in a tank top commercial today was it you cause I'm pretty sure it was and if so great job congrats

[@jordyycalderon3363]

"dime bag" nah sis you found someones old xannie bag they stuffed into the chair to hide their drugs from the cops lmao

[@emanuelcarvalho8510]

hahahaha right?

[@brownsugar9633]

Lol omg that had me crackin up

[@mimisabatino1375]

How much is a new chair? Lol ... A lot of motivation to take on something like this! Looking forward to the finished product and the "hair washing" ... What the?

[@kimadams446]

Wow Serena what have you got yourself into. Washing the hair. Good you didn't find any bugs in it.

[@ThriftDiving]

Kim Adams Lol That was my fear but thankfully I didn’t! Whew!

[@ARTSIEBECCA]

He sounds like Luminer😁😁🔆

[@winanswindow]

I found an old safe key in the wing back I'm doing:)

[@LadyLuvGemStones]

👍👍

[@emanuelcarvalho8510]

"dime bag" haha sis, you found a bag that had some drug inside lol that's the interesting part about thrifting that i L.O.V.E being curious and thinking about so much teorys about that that thing went though... so good

[@cdixon2011ify]

Hi, loving this video series. I too have a beautiful wingback chair with gorgeous leg details and it's almost like yours and mine are cousins. I will be joining a class too. Nice to see the challenges that I am facing. I would be freaking if I was still pulling out staples and stripping and I hear other students already stapling and putting on their new fabric.😓😱(sort of like test day when people finished with the test and are leaving and I'm still on page one feeling). But your instructor seems very patient. Looking forward to watching your progress thank you for taking us along. P S I saw a shirt commercial on TV and one of the women looked just like you?

[@ThriftDiving]

C Dixon Yep, that is me in the commercial! I’m a Duluth Trading Company Woman. :) And it’s so funny you noticed everyone else stapling. 😂 Yes, I am behind because I missed the very first class due to the conference I attended. So not only is my project huge but I am short one class. I also didn’t finish tearing down the chair as “homework” when I should have. Lol. Glad to hear you’ll be taking a class! It’s really not as confusing as I thought it would be. When you start peeling off the layers you realize how it’s just a big ole pile of wood, staples, springs, and fabric. It’s a lot of fun!! Good luck in tackling your chair!

[@chobits222]

Omg the anticipation of seeing this finished is killing me lol. You’re going to do an amazing job! Btw, how many yards of fabric did you end up purchasing?

[@ThriftDiving]

OMG, wait until you see the fabric I bought! It's goooorrggeeeous! Just came in the mail! I ordered 8 yards. The instructor said to get 6-7, but I figured it would be wise to get an extra!

[@fullstrutn]

enjoying this ,because I have a wingback chair also can you carefully tear off old fabric and trace them for a pattern??

[@munchnmonkey]

YES, YES, YES!

[@s.hoffman297]

dime bag lol coulda been a button bag xD who knows

[@Tami_from_Texas]

I am totally understanding the removal process but please explain the re-use of the "hair" - do all these chairs have that or is it just older chairs? I have two wingbacks that are 50+ years old and have been reupholstered once (before I purchased) so not sure what to expect. They both need to be redone but was thinking that extra cotton batting would be better????

[@melanieedwardscarter2393]

Hello! May I ask if you are taking classes in Los Angeles California or do you live somewhere else? the reason why I ask because I am interesting in learning this skill. thank you in advance

[@jeanine6492]

Hi, could you tell me the details of the shop where you were looking at fabric in this clip? I’m hoping they have online sales as I’m in Australia. Thank you.

[@ThriftDiving]

Jeanine Leabeater Sure thing! For security reasons I won’t say online here but if you email me, I can tell you. Serena at thriftdiving dot com

[@slimfultreats5472]

The dime bag was a upholstery tack bag looks like it though🤣

[@patriciashaw5057]

Love watching you and learning , but I'm getting seasick with all the movement

[@arlynelauro9872]

Is there a reason why you took the fabric off out of the order in which he suggested? Just wondering

[@Lasomie]

might as well make a new chair lol

[@ThriftDiving]

ozzie I know, right!! 😂

[@mctron22rd]

Wow! I wonder how old the chair is? The reason I ask is because the chair has horse hair and hog hair inside of it. Is that an old way to fill in space and fluff up the chair? I believe it to be an older chair because of how sturdy the craftmanship is and the quality of the chair. Who ever it was,that made the chair, ment for it to last a long, long time! Every layer is done really well and I don't think you can find a chair made like that anymore it is a lovely chair!

[@coppermorgan6034]

Lol a dime bag 😂

[@jasminegulliver3250]

Hey, I just found your channel recently and I love all your flips but it's kind of difficult to watch as the volume in some of your videos are a little inconsistent. I'm finding your videos very inspiring though💕💕

[@MrBluidevil62]

you know your pliers are actually blacksmith horse nail extractor I think

[@ThriftDiving]

Wow, you are likely right! I just Googled it and that looks like what it is. One of my readers sent it to me years ago and it is the best for pulling staples!

[@eyeswideshut2800]

it's called 8 way hand tied.

[@aletheakelly1010]

Why wash the horse hair? Isnt there a modern day alternate material?

[@aleechaadams2691]

My mom just passed away and we just cleaned out her house and she had 5 and I got them all.....what to do.

[@MrBluidevil62]

ok in part two how do you know what a dime bag looks like?

[@ThriftDiving]

LOL, I'm not a smoker, but I've got people close to me who were. :)

[@candyluna2929]

Couldnt you just throw away the hair...??

[@flavialeuca9686]

Exactly

[@kimadams446]

Horse what kind of hair? LOL.

[@peterford9369]

Why if you're replacing almost all the fabric, would you want to keep the horse hair crap? Can't imagine it getting totally clean and staying intact. Why not just replace everything, material wise?

[@cameronr59]

Guh dat hair was nasty! Lol I wouldn't have wanted to touch it either 😋