How to reupholster a chair

There are many times when all a piece needs is to be reinvented. 

That is what I want to show you today. 

How to reupholster a chair.

This chair is actually of great quality, but it had seen better days. 

The cushions went flat and the fabric went  blah. 

The wood and construction were strong. 

So this is where we begin.

The fabrics I purchased from Old Time Pottery. If you know the yardage you need, 

you can get designer fabrics for around $5 per yard. 

Some of the above are Robert Allen.

Then use needle nose pliers and pull the staples out. 

Be careful NOT to rip the fabric.

Once you have them all cleaned up, you can begin reworking the piece.

Keep the fabric in tact as much as possible, so you can use it to make a pattern.

It is not hard~ just time consuming...

ok its hard!!!

To make the Piping, you will need to cut  the fabric on a bias. 

That simply means an angle. This way the fabric  is more pliable and can move.

Draw your lines and CUT.

Use the existing cording or piping from the chair like I did or purchase new.

 To make the fabric the correct length, you might have to sew some pieces together.

The above picture will help you to line up the piping fabric.

Using a zipper foot, try to get the piping as tight as possible.

To completely transform this chair, I wanted to paint it a medium gray. 

Make sure to sand and clean the chair completely.

I make my own chalk paint ~and so can you!

DIY CHALK PAINT

1. one part plaster of paris

2. one part paint

3. big mixing bucket

4. mixing drill bit (really helps)

My paint is from the "oops paint" section at Home Depot or Lowe's. 

Just make sure if you are mixing different paints that you keep the same finish.

 (i.e.: eggshell, flat, etc.)

I painted this chair. ..Didn't like how light it was.... Remixed the paint ...and did it again.

Back to the fabric. Use the old fabric pieces to make a pattern on your new material.

Pin your finished piping to your new patterns.

Even though you cut the fabric for the piping on the bias,

 you might still have to cut along the seam. 

This will help your piping move with the pattern of the cushion.

Using the existing zippers, sew on the new fabric.

Use any fabric scrap to seal the zipper. You won't see this as it will be hidden.

But it is necessary to be able to stop the zipper.

When sewing any pillow or cushion, place pattern sides together with the 

back of the fabric facing you.  Keep your zipper open.(on the cushion!)

Once you sew the whole cushion, you can turn 

it right side out through the zipper.

For the cushions: I bought high density foam cores from a furniture store. Used the old cushions to make my patterns ( like the fabric). Then I used spray adhesive to put new batting and soften the edges. That is a messy part! Everything sticks to you! which is why I don't have any pictures of that part. HA!

Staple the new pattern to the back.

Use a couple of staples to make sure your pattern is lined up. Once it is, 

secure the entire back to the frame.

Then add the foam that you saved when you first pulled the chair apart.

Important: Take lots of pictures when dismantling any upholstery. 

It will help you put the pieces back together.

Staple all fabric to the frame. Then use hot glue or 

fabric glue to attach a decorative trim covering all staples. 

I bought a green trim, but you can contrast that.

SO! HERE ARE THE RESULTS!

Oh yeah, did I mention there were two!!!!!