Accessories
A chesterfield sofa frame is regarded as an heirloom item, passed down from generation to generation. The furniture piece is typically made of rosewood, mahogany or teak – often handed down by royalty or wealthy families that had their own artisans create the unique piece.
With its buttoned seat and back cushions, the chesterfield has become a staple in Western furniture designs since the early 20th century. Depending on your family’s history with this type of couch, you might want to make your own (so you can pass it on) or simply get one to use for yourself (and never hand it over). Either way, getting the job done right requires some planning and hard work.
1 . Use the right materials
Before you begin shelling out money for wood, arm yourself with information about what type of chesterfield sofa frame to make. Your first step is to learn which hardwood (rosewood, mahogany or teak) your family prefers and where you can find it. You’ll also need nails, tools (including electric drills), saws and sandpaper.
- Figure out how big the sofa will be
Once you’ve chosen your wood, measure it by finding the length (from front to back), width (side to side) and height of your couch’s seat cushion. Also consider if you want tufting on either end of the seat or at center point under an upholstered pillow. - Cut the wood
Make your first cut (for the front leg) by measuring and marking 3/4 inch from one end of the wood. Then do the same to measure and mark 1-1/2 inches for each side of that board; draw a line connecting those two points, which will serve as your guide when cutting. Saw along the line with a hand saw, then make another cut about 5 inches from where you initially marked to create a notch for the leg at an angle. Repeat this step on all four corners of each piece of wood for a total of 20 pieces (two sets of 10). Sand excess material from all boards, then head over to Step 4 if you’re making a tufted sofa. - Stitch the material
Stitching holds your fabric in place on the chesterfield sofa frame . It’s also necessary if you want tufting at the end of the seat cushion or pillow, which you’ll complete later after tacking down your material. To stitch, simply use one straight pin to go through all 4 layers (wood and 2 pieces of cloth) at once on both sides of each piece of wood; put two pins on either side of where you will attach tufting. When inserting your sewing needle, make sure it goes through all four layers; knot thread when finished stitching (with three knots on top). - Build upholstery around the edge
With a staple gun, tack down the corner of your fabric near the edge of the wooden chesterfield and stretch it to where you want it (typically 2 inches from each end). Next, measure and mark two points on either side of the center with a pencil; staple at those spots. Repeat this process three more times, attaching one side of your material to each leg along its front edge. - Add upholstery to seat cushion
To add upholstery to the seat cushion area, use a drill or screwdriver to attach two pieces of wood inside your frame at an angle so they lean against three sides of your cushion while lining up flush towards the back bottom. Then, tack down your material onto these boards so only the front is exposed and staple at the corners. Next, measure and mark two points on either side of the center with a pencil; staple at those spots. Repeat this process three more times, attaching one side of your material to each leg along its front edge. - Add upholstery to back rest
To add upholstery to the back rest area, attach two pieces of wood inside your frame so they are flush against all four sides of your seat cushion while lining up flush towards the top (for pillow tufting). Then tack down your material onto these boards so only the front is exposed and staple at the corners. Measure and mark two points on either side of the center with a pencil; staple at those spots. Repeat this process three more times, attaching one side of your material to each leg along its front edge. - Add tufting
To add tufting, measure and mark three stitching spots with a pencil on either end of the wood frame for every piece of upholstery you have. Then use an electric drill with a screw bit to attach a small wooden board at those markings between the four layers (wood/fabric/wood/fabric). Next, tack down your material onto these boards so only the front is exposed and staple at the corners. Measure and mark two points on either side of the center with a pencil; staple at those spots. Repeat this process three more times, attaching one side of material to each leg along its front edge.
Chesterfield Sofa Frame
- Attach legs
To attach a leg to a board, line up the foot of your leg with the bottom of the wood piece and mark where you want to drill holes for screws or nails; use a power drill or hammer and nails to secure each leg. Repeat this step four more times (two on each side) so you have two sets of legs total lined up at the middle points of your boards. Then connect those boards at both ends using your desired attachment method (screws/nails). Finally, attach those boards at both ends using your desired attachment method (screws/nails). - Finish and enjoy!
Screw together two pieces of wood that will serve as feet at the bottom of your chesterfield and attach a piece of plywood or MDF to one side of each board. Attach legs at the corners using screws for feet, nailing them from the bottom into the board. Then staple your upholstery fabric to cover plywood completely, allowing fabric to hang over all four sides. Use a staple gun on an angle through every corner in order to have a proper fold when securing fabric down with a wood frame underneath. Finally, add pillow tufting by drilling holes in between four layers (with a drill bit that fits the screw you’re using) and attaching small wooden boards with screws/nails in between. To finish off this process for the back rest cushion, two pieces of wood inside your frame so they are flush against all four sides of your seat cushion while lining up flush towards the top. Then tack down your material onto these boards so only the front is exposed and staple at the corners. Measure and mark two points on either side of the center with a pencil; staple at those spots. Repeat this process three more times, attaching one side of your material to each leg along its front edge. To add tufting, measure and mark three stitching spots with a pencil on either end of the wood frame for every piece of upholstery you have… Screw together two pieces of wood that will serve as feet at the bottom of your chesterfield and attach a piece of plywood or MDF to one side of each board.