How to Replace a Button on a Tufted Chair
Fix a popped button on a tufted chair back with this upholstery teacher's step-by-step tutorial
Upholstery repair can be a lucrative facet of an upholstery or interior design business, for someone who has both upholstery and problem-solving skills. But some simple furniture repairs, such as fixing a button, can be accomplished by anyone with patience who can work carefully and methodically.
I rigged this project by removing one of the buttons that comprised a diamond tuft in the back of a chair, so you can see exactly how to replace missing buttons, or undertake your own chair restyling by adding a simple tufted detail. This upholstery know-how will save you the money you'd spend on a service call or a new chair.
I'll warn you now: You might get nervous in the middle of this fix, but hang in there. You can do it. Persevere. And if you really get anxious, send me a message.
Having the confidence and skill to carefully unhitch and rehitch the outside back of a piece of furniture can come in quite handy for a myriad of upholstery projects, problems and repairs, whether you're a DIYer or a professional.
I rigged this project by removing one of the buttons that comprised a diamond tuft in the back of a chair, so you can see exactly how to replace missing buttons, or undertake your own chair restyling by adding a simple tufted detail. This upholstery know-how will save you the money you'd spend on a service call or a new chair.
I'll warn you now: You might get nervous in the middle of this fix, but hang in there. You can do it. Persevere. And if you really get anxious, send me a message.
Having the confidence and skill to carefully unhitch and rehitch the outside back of a piece of furniture can come in quite handy for a myriad of upholstery projects, problems and repairs, whether you're a DIYer or a professional.
The secret to finding fabric for a new button: You’ll see that there are a few hidden places on your chair where you can extract some extra fabric for buttons. Ask an upholstery shop to make you a covered button or two from it. In my area it costs around around $1 per button.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully get inside the metal ply grip that holds the sides of the back in place. Here I was just checking to see how easy it would be to release the fabric. You'll also need a pair of crescent or needle-nose pliers to remove the staples, and an electric staple gun to secure the fabric when you're finished.
To pull a button through the inside front, you must be able to access the inside of the back of the chair. Begin by removing the cardboard tack strip from the bottom rail of the outside back piece.
After the tack strip is off, carefully remove the staples from the covered welt cord.
Tip: Take photos so you'll know how to put everything back together again.
Tip: Take photos so you'll know how to put everything back together again.
Now you're down to the meat of the matter: the chair back fabric. Carefully, and I mean carefully, lift and remove the staples to release the fabric.
Once the bottom is released, remove the fabric from the metal ply grip, or whatever system was used to secure the fabric against the cording. With pliers, remove the old metal ply grip and dispose of it.
Here you may see only a dacron or cotton layer, but you should also see a layer of burlap, or even cardboard. Remove the staples or tacks holding it in place so you can see the burlap webbing and the twine that's holding the buttons taut.
Use a strong twine (upholsterer's twine is best). Fold the twine in half, push the fold through the eye of the needle approximately 1 inch, then thread the cut ends through the loop to secure the button on the twine. Now thread the cut ends through the eye of the needle.
Push the needle through the existing hole so that the twine ends come through the back of the chair. Pull the button snugly to match the depth of the other buttons.
Holding the twine firmly, staple the twine to a side or top rail to hold the button deep in place. If the burlap and webbing on my chair had been tighter, I would have tied the twine around a little piece of rolled-up webbing or cotton for leverage.
Stapling to the rails isn't a conventional method, but I've never had a button come loose. Staple the twine firmly, then double the twine back over itself and staple again.
Stapling to the rails isn't a conventional method, but I've never had a button come loose. Staple the twine firmly, then double the twine back over itself and staple again.
Time to close up. As you can see in the photo, I had a little rip in the bottom edge of the fabric. Luckily, it didn’t tear far enough up to be a problem. I was able to pull the fabric down and attach it under the bottom rail without the tear’s being visible.
In the next tutorial, I’ll show you my favorite way to close up the outside side edges: the ever-so-professional invisible upholsterer’s stitch. After that the cording can be reattached, as well as a piece of cardboard tack strip and a dust cover. The upholsterer’s stitch is a must-have in your upholstery skills toolbox.
Find a local upholsterer or furniture repairer
More: See how to make an upholstered headboard you can change on a whim
In the next tutorial, I’ll show you my favorite way to close up the outside side edges: the ever-so-professional invisible upholsterer’s stitch. After that the cording can be reattached, as well as a piece of cardboard tack strip and a dust cover. The upholsterer’s stitch is a must-have in your upholstery skills toolbox.
Find a local upholsterer or furniture repairer
More: See how to make an upholstered headboard you can change on a whim
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