Micaela Sharp’s essential upholstery tools

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to upholster furniture but don’t know where to begin, don’t worry — we can help. Scroll down through Micaela Sharp’s essential upholstery kit to learn which tools are best to invest in for use at home or in studios, including the best staple guns, scissors, pinchers, and needles.

Discover every tool you need to transform your furniture with a professional upholsterer and interior designer Micaela Sharp. To make furniture, you need a good selection of equipment – and if you invest in quality tools, they’ll stand the test of time and become treasured objects. Over the years Micaela has developed her own range of essential equipment for every type of upholstery project, all of which can be easily sourced from DIY or hardware stores. Keep reading to explore Micaela’s list of tools for upholstering a bespoke headboard, a loose cushioned chair and a mid-century armchair.

Essential upholstery tools

The key tools for any upholstery project are as follows:

  • Tack remover
  • Mallet
  • Pinchers
  • Staple gun – compressor-powered hand operated or electric
  • Circular saw
  • Jigsaw
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Sharp fabric scissors
  • Scissors
  • Spray glue
  • 10 mm or 12 mm staples

Tools for upholstering a headboard

Explore the essential upholstery tools to make your own headboard.

  • Tack remover
  • Mallet
  • Pinchers
  • Staple gun – compressor-powered, hand operated or electric
  • Circular saw
  • Jigsaw
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Sharp fabric scissors
  • Scissors
  • Spray glue
  • 10 mm or 12 mm staples
  • Measuring tape
  • String
  • Sharpie
  • Ruler
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Woodglue
  • Sandpaper
  • Foam cutter or electric carving knife or serrated knife
  • Sewing machine
  • Seam unpicker
  • Pins
  • A piping foot for the sewing machine
  • Thread

Tools for upholstering a box cushion chair

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need to create a box cushion chair.

  • Sharp fabric scissors
  • Long ruler – ideally 1.5m
  • Measuring tape
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Sharpie
  • Foam cutter or electric carving knife or serrated knife
  • Spray glue
  • Sewing machine
  • Piping foot for sewing machine
  • Stanley knife
  • Seam unpick

The tools needed for re-upholstering an armchair

To re-upholster an armchair you’ll need a few extra tools to be able to strip down your chair.

  • Mallet
  • Staple remover or tack remover
  • Pinchers
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Measuring tape
  • Long ruler – ideally 1.5m
  • Sharp fabric scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread in a complementary colour to your fabric
  • Seam unpicker
  • Piping foot for sewing machine
  • Foam cutter or electric carving knife
  • Spray glue
  • Staple gun – compressor-powered, hand operated or electric
  • 10 mm–12 mm staples
  • Small curved needle
  • Stanley knife
  • Pins
  • Web stretcher if you are using jute webbing

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