General wear and tear is bound to happen on furniture, especially items that are sat on regularly. When this happens, pitching it to the curb isn’t always the solution. Often times, it can be revived with a little TLC. Instead of replacing an old chair, give it new life by recovering the cushion. Not only will you improve its look, you’ll save a lot of money as well. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to reupholster a removable chair cushion.
Step 1: Choose Your Fabric
Often times, the reason homeowners replace a piece of furniture is because the fabric is outdated. Visiting a fabric store like Fabric Resource opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to new choices. There will be multiple fabrics to browse through and speaking with an employee will help you find exactly what you want for your chair. For one chair cushion, you’ll need approximately 1 to 2 yards of fabric to complete your project.
Step 2: Remove the Seat
For this, you’ll need a screwdriver and either a staple remover or pair of needle-nose pliers. Turn the chair upside down and unscrew the seat. Be sure to keep the screws handy for later.
Step 3: Change the FabricÂ
This can be done in two different ways. The first, being to remove the old fabric and the second, to just cover it with the new fabric. There’s really no reason to remove it unless the inner padding needs to be replaced, but if you decide to, be sure to use a staple puller or needle-nose pliers to remove the staples. If you plan to just cover the old fabric, spread out your new fabric, place the seat on top, and then measure 4 to 5 inches beyond the seat on all sides. A piece of chalk works well for marking your lines. After the lines are marked, cut the fabric.
Step 4: Attach the FabricÂ
Make sure the seat is centered and that the pattern isn’t crooked before attaching it. Fold the fabric up and over the straightest side of the seat and begin to staple. Start with a center staple and then work your way out to the edges. Keep the fabric tight so it doesn’t bunch. Repeat this with the opposite side of the seat, pulling the fabric firmly. If you make any mistakes, pull the staples and start over. Once those two sides are done, wrap the fabric around the remaining two.
Step 5: Pleat the Corners
Take the corner of fabric and point it towards the center of the seat along the diagonal. Fold one side down alongside the diagonal and then fold the other side so you have a nice, straight pleat. Once you have it like you want it, staple it in place. Continue this for the remaining three corners.
Step 6: Apply the Finishing TouchesÂ
Now it’s time to wrap the project up. Trim any excess fabric, hammer in staples that aren’t flush and stain protect your seat.
Step 7: Reattach Seat
Now that you’re done, return the seat to the chair. Screw it back into place and enjoy your beautiful new chair.
Visit us at CUTTING CORNERS, we will be happy to help you with your selections for your project. We carry a wide range of designer fabrics at discount, wholesale prices to save you money without sacrificing quality.
