Furnish your chair with a new look!
Article taken off suite101.com
How to Reupholster a Chair
Reupholstering a dining room chair
Replacing dining room chairs can be costly and time consuming. You might not be able to find a chair in the style you like or it just might be beyond your budget to buy new ones. You can update the look of your dining room, however, simply by reupholstering the chair seats.
Find a Fabric
The first step in replacing the old upholstery is to find a new fabric. It should be an upholstery grade fabric. These are thicker than others and hold up better to long-term use. Visit local fabric shops as well as larger craft stores to see a variety of options. The associates there will be able to help you determine how much fabric you will need.
When choosing the fabric, select a color or design that will fit in with the rest of the dining room's decor. Do not choose a bright orange, for instance, if the other dining room elements are pale shabby chic colors. Spend time comparing different fabric choices before making a decision.
Gather Supplies
You'll need only a few simple supplies to reupholster dining room chairs. Gather together a screwdriver, a pencil, a heavy-duty staple gun, staples, scissors, and fabric measuring tape.
Cut the Fabric
The first step is to remove the seat from the chair. Use a screwdriver to loosen and then remove the screws that attach the seat and the chair.
Lay the fabric on the floor, with the design facing down. The back or "wrong side" of the fabric will be facing up, toward you. Place the seat facing down on the fabric. The bottom of the seat will face up. Use the measuring tape to determine the length and width of the seat. Using the pencil, make a small mark one and a half inches beyond the measurements. For a seat that is 12 inches by 14 inches, for instance, you would make your marks at 13.5 inches and 15.5 inches.
Using the scissors, cut the fabric along these marks. The area you cut should create the same shape as the seat, only one and half inches larger on each side.
Staple the Fabric
Remove the extra fabric from your work area. Continue to lay the fabric face down. Place the seat face down on the fabric, as you did before, centering it in the middle. If the fabric has a design, make sure to arrange the seat so the design is properly centered.
Using the old fabric as a guide, pull the edge of the fabric neatly to the back of the seat. Follow the old fabric's pattern and staple the new fabric over it. Do this along each edge, using extra care with the corners of the seat. Pull the fabric tightly when stapling so there are no wrinkles in the fabric on the front of the seat.
Use the screws to reattach the seat and they're done. You'll have new chairs for years to come!
