Upholstery 201- How To Use Curve Ease

The most satisfying part of reupholstering a chair can also be the most intimidating. Putting the sides and back on. But if you have the right supplies and the right steps. It can go smoothly. Meet your new best friend.


Curve Ease, also know as Ply Grip. I purchase mine from DIY upholstery supply.


Line it up where you want your seem. 


Staple, staple.


Trim your edges.



Now bend the bottom edges with the teeth up with your thumb.



Grab the piece of fabric measured for the side, line it up and start tucking it in behind the teeth.


You can also use an awl to help get it tucked in nicely. Keep going until it is all tucked in. Pull it tight and staple the bottom end under the chair. 


Grab a rubber mallet so you don't hurt your fabric and tap the curve ease all the way closed.


Tada! The side is on!


To see the finished chair, click HERE.

47 comments:

  1. Sue@Uniquely ChicAugust 3, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Awesome tutorial...just wish I had the nerve!

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  2. AnonymousAugust 3, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    This is awesome. Maybe I should give this a try!!

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  3. AnonymousAugust 4, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    Fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial :)

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  4. Catherine @ van Breugel DesignAugust 4, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    The timing of this post is perfect. I actually picked up the most ugly (soon to be beautiful) roadside chair the other day. I took the whole thing apart right away and brought it down to the frame. It had this curve ease inside it and I was just about to start searching to find out what it was called and how to use it. Thanks for the amazing instructions.

    Catherine

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  5. UnknownAugust 4, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Thank you for the tutorial on how to use this! I've always done it the wrong way. AND, you lined everything up perfectly!! The chair is looking so good :)

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  6. franAugust 4, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    You make it look so easy!

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  7. GrazielaAugust 4, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    I didn't know such a thing existed! I so want to learn how to re-upholster but I don't think I can do it, I can't sew worth a lick! That looks awesome!

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  8. RachaelAugust 4, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    you make this look so simple! I hope it really is. This is so exciting to me!!!

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  9. Pine Tree HomeAugust 4, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Girl, you are amazing with all those tips and tricks up your sleeve. Do you even know how professional that looks? Keep spilling the beans.

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  10. ARKAugust 4, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    ummmmm BRILLIANT...no wonder I was always scared of upholstering something...I had not the tools!

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  11. Holly GruszkaAugust 4, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Bookmarking this for the day when I actually tackle my first re-upholstery job!

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  12. Kathy@ Gone NorthAugust 4, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    Great Tutorial!!

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  13. Gloria FoxAugust 4, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    I've never seen this stuff and always wondered how people handled the curved arms like that. Awesome tutorial!

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  14. MaureenAugust 5, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Wow - it looks perfect!

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  15. DeniseAugust 5, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    You make this look SO easy!

    Thank you for the tutorial. I am on the prowl for a good recovering specimen. When I find one, I'm coming back to this post!

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  16. Joselyn @ The DIY SpotAugust 5, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    This is great! I have been browsing your blog and your upholstery projects are phenomenal. Did you take classes or are you self taught? I took classes and still struggle to get a professional look. So glad I found your blog. Following you!

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  17. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    This looks much less difficult that I imaged. I have a chair at the point where I need to use the easy curve and after reading you description of the process I feel excited to give it a try. Wish me well. Thank you for sharing you knowledge.
    Traci

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  18. Miss CharAugust 5, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    I've been kicking around the idea of trying upholstery again, this would certainly be a handy dandy supply to have. Thanks for the great information.

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  19. Sunnyside DruAugust 5, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    that is fantastic! I never knew how that worked, thanks!

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  20. People Who Know Me Would Say:August 5, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    This was amazing to read. You make it look so easy!

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  21. The Paupers CastleAugust 5, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Great tutorial. Thanks for posting. I will be looking for this product. Also...I feel EXTRA SPECIAL...I am your newest follower, but also number 1000! Congrats on a milestone!

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  22. Inspired by youAugust 5, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    I've worked with curve ease before. It really makes it look so professional!

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  23. Connie @ Sensible-RedesignAugust 5, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Thanks for the tutorial, that part stumped me for a long time. My first project with curve ease was a silk (tricky). You did a fantastic job lining up those stripes!!

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  24. CatherineAugust 5, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    That is really great. I am getting my nerve up to reupholster a chair. This may be a lifesaver!

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  25. TammyAugust 5, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Thank you! What a great tutorial. I want to upholster some things too! Thanks for sharing.

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  26. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Thank you for a great tutorial! You made this look so easy! I love your chair!

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  27. SommerAugust 6, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    This is awesome! I'm self taught and recently tore apart a wingback chair where I saved all these pieces. Not knowing what they were called but I figured out how to use them. It's nice to see it being done though. I hope you will come show this off at my VIP Party today. http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/vip-party-22.html

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  28. Robin's Nesting PlaceAugust 6, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    I just bought a sofa today that needs to be recovered. This will be very helpful!

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  29. ArouraAugust 7, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Thank-you so much for this helpful tutorial!

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  30. Janette - The2SeasonsAugust 7, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    I learned to use a drill this week-end. If I could learn to upholster, I could be dangerous!!! You made it look so easy.

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  31. Beverly@southernhomesweethomeAugust 7, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    You made that look so easy.. thanks for the tut on how to do curves. If I get enough nerve I might try it. Over from Met Mon..looks great

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  32. MarlisAugust 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Wow this is a great tut on how to do the yucky part of upholstery.. Now i just need more more more and maybe I can tackle the chair in the garage! thanks a bunch, so very helpful. xo marlis

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  33. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Looks terrific. Your stripes match so well!

    We hope you will consider being a part of the Miracle Makeover blog week starting Friday... helps kids with cancer. Creativity can change things... for more on it stop by...

    Kelee Katillac@ www.designgivesback.com Met Monday will feature it next week!

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  34. contractorsAugust 8, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    you make this look so simple! you made it easy and great

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  35. Crazy WonderfulAugust 9, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    No way... that seems so simple now! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

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  36. Elle and LouAugust 9, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I never knew about this little gadget. Great advice for someone like me about to embark on a simpler chair cover. Thank you

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  37. A room with a viewAugust 9, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    This is a great, detailed tutorial - thanks so much! New follower!

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  38. Cassie BustamanteAugust 9, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    i need some reupholster-ease... do they make that? ;)
    you are so good at what you do, sarah.

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  39. Bunny JeanAugust 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    I was wondering how you were going to get the stripes lined up, you did a good job!

    xoxo Bunny Jean #141 at Met Monday

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  40. LauraAugust 10, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    WOW, that is amazing. Thank you for the tutorial. Didn't know that even existed.

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  41. Julia @ 551EastdesignAugust 10, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    What a cool product! Thanks so much for the tutorial, I have to try it:)

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  42. Natty by DesignAugust 11, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Soooo awesome! Thank you for sharing this trick.

    www.nattybydesign.blogspot.com

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  43. BrandiAugust 11, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Great Tutorial!! I found it to be very helpful! Thank you for sharing.

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  44. Clare GAugust 12, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    Holy Cow! This is probably one of the most helpful posts I've seen in blogland! Thank you so much for the great tute!

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  45. PamAugust 12, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Great post! Who knew :)

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  46. Jeannie-JBAugust 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Wow, Wow, Wow! Thank you so much for the helpful tutorial.

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  47. MeganAugust 19, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    Genius! It's always about having the right tools, isn't it! Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

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