Before you can upholster a chair, verify you have enough upholstery yardage to do so. The local sewing and crafts store should have a chart you can reference, or you can find one online. You’ll need anywhere from 3 to 7 yards of fabric for a chair, depending on the type. For your first project, start with a simple chair that only requires you to upholster the chair back and the seat. As you gain experience, you can work up to the complicated projects that require extensive sewing and fitting.