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How to Reupholster RV Captain's Chairs

How to Reupholster RV Captain's Chairs

Fabric image by cacheman from Fotolia.com

You can identify a captain's chair by its low back and spindles that curve forward for armrests. If your captain's chair is a little worse for wear or plain and lacking style, you can reupholster it with your favorite fabric. The process is moderately easy and previous sewing experience is not needed, though it is helpful. Once the reupholstering process is complete, you can lend your designing skills to other areas of your RV for a completely updated interior.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Scissors
  • Seam ripper
  • Marking pen
  • Upholstery fabric
  • Upholstery thread
  • Needle
  • Stick pins
  • Thimble
  • Staple gun (optional)
  • Sewing machine (optional
  • Sewing table (optional)
Step 1
Cut the old material from the captain's chair. Open the seam with a seam ripper, but do not destroy the pieces. They will serve as markers for when you later cut the new upholstery into pieces.
Step 2
Mark the new upholstery for placement. Overlay the old pieces onto the new upholstery, so you can size and cut each new piece accordingly. Use a sewing table or work table if possible.
Step 3
Use a marking pen to indicate the placement of each new piece. For example, the new back piece will be placed where the old back piece was previously placed. Mark the outside of the seam to indicate which side will appear up or down on the captain's chair.
Step 4
Secure the fronts and backs of the new pieces using sewing pins. Sew the pieces together by hand if you do not own a sewing machine. Thread the needle by holding it between your thumb and forefinger. Wet the tag end of the thread and then pass it through the eye of the needle. Tie a simple knot to secure the thread. Pull the needle up through the wrong side of the fabric. Make a stitch and then pass the need back through the fabric. Continue doing this from seam to seam until you sew all of the new upholstery together.
Step 5
Fit the captain's chair with the new upholstery. If stapling the upholstery, fold the seam over and then staple each piece into place. Place staples ¼ to ½ inch apart, pulling the upholstery taut as you go. You can also sew the new upholstery into place.
Step 6
Repeat steps 1 through 5 for each chair you want to reupholster.

Tips & Warnings

 
Use a thimble to avoid nicks from the sewing needle.
 
Never allow small children to play with sewing needles.

Resources

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

Write for Trails.com

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