What is a Club chair?
A club chair is a type of armchair known for its deep seat, low back, and wide armrests. It originated in France in the early 20th century, where it was called “fauteuil confortable” (comfortable chair). The term “club chair” likely comes from its popularity in the gentlemen’s clubs of the time, where comfort and style were essential. This chair is often associated with a classic and masculine aesthetic.
Key Features:
- Thickly padded for comfort
- Low and deep seating profile
- Rounded arms and back (though modern versions may vary)
- Seat cushion : the seat cushion is part of the club chair aesthetic, it was sometimes covered with velvet instead of leather to be replaced more easily.
A leather covered chair
Of course it is possible to cover a Club chair with fabric but this chair is traditionally leather covered.
- Historical Prestige: Leather was a luxury material traditionally associated with wealth and status. Club chairs, being upscale furniture in exclusive clubs, were naturally upholstered in leather.
- Durability: Leather is tough, long-lasting, and develops a patina over time, which adds character to the piece. This made it ideal for chairs meant to see frequent use.
- Ease of Cleaning: Compared to fabric, leather is easier to clean and maintain—an important feature in high-traffic social spaces like clubs.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Leather gives off a rich, timeless, and sophisticated look, which complements the classic design of the club chair.
How to upholster a Club chair?
The inside can be made traditionally or with modern techniques using foam. Both techniques can be mixed.
How to cover a Club Chair ?
Traditionally club chairs (Art Deco style) are big comfy armchairs covered with leather but more specifically with sheepskins.
While traditional club chairs are always covered with leather, modern versions can be upholstered in fabric, velvet, or synthetic materials to fit different tastes and budgets. Leather remains popular, though, for its iconic and luxurious appearance. Traditionally sheepskin is used to cover club chairs which requires some specific techniques and knowledge.
WORKING WITH SHEEPSKIN ON A CLUB CHAIR
This is really a special set of material and techniques this one ! Especially when it comes to covering. Sheepskin would extend and become pretty extensible when it’s very wet and stretch back when it’s drying. That’s why to cover some very curvy shape we just soak it in water. Some put it straight into a bucket of warm water, I apply water on the leather with a big sponge on the bench table (specially prepared for the occasion) and keep a bucket of water next to me.
What kind of leather do you need?
Of course in order to be able to do this upholsterers always use a just tanned leather on it with no varnish or finish on it.
Which mean that you have to use a fixative product (called a “milk”, generally provided by the leather supplier (mine was Sofic cuir) to finish the leather properly or it would get damaged and stained easily.
How many sheepskins do you need ?
We need not one but many sheepskins to cover a club chair. Try to picture it ! One sheepskin for back, one for the outside back, one for the cushion (simple side cushion), one for the piping, 2 for the arms, 1 or two for the outside back which mean 7 to 8 sheepskins are needed for a single chair !
The back of a club chair
The leather is attached with head nails on the outside back.
Finishing a Club Chair
Upholstering a whole club chair is a long and complex process.
Once the frame is covered the upholsterer got to place back the front arms (wooden pieces covered with leather with a piping around) and to create the seat cushion.
Cushion on a club chair
The cushion is made with the same material than the frame most of the time but you will also find some velvet cushion (woolen velvet) on leather chair. For a leather cushion the process is the same than for a fabric cushion but with the appropriate sewing machine and needle: you better use a triple feed sewing machine.
You also better use a skiving knife or machine to make the edges thinner if you want to create a leather cushion.
It can be a foam or a feather cushion. If you have to create it I would advise to create the cushion pattern one the seat is totally covered and finished.
The front arms
Honestly this is the step I fear the most, maybe because this is the final one ! Or because you can hurt the leather easily. Some would just attach the wood through the leather with a headless pin but it creates a hole into the leather so I use a different method.
I had to use some strong glue on this one because my technique with tacks wasn’t appropriate in this case (to much thickness!).
Can you show me tutorials for making a club chair ?
I’ve plan to be working on this type of tutorial in 2025 just a little patience… Some useful tutorials for club chairs are already online such as:
- How to make the perfect cushion pattern.
- How to make a foam seat cushion
- How to create a seat cushion cover (box cushion).
