Thursday, September 11, 2008

Refinishing Chair Seats

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
Proverb

Yesterday, I refinished the chairs that are part of the $50 dining set that I purchased through Craig's List. It was well built and light weight, but the seats were a ratty, cracked black pleather. The table and chair set fit our budget, and with a little TLC is nice again.

I'm sharing this not to brag about my DIY prowess, but to inspire friends and family to consider doing the same. It's pretty easy.

Refinishing a chair with a fabric seat.

You will need:
  • a standard tool kit (with a variety of screwdrivers and a hammer)
  • a staple gun (can pick one up at a craft or hardware store)
  • upholstery fabric (I got this at Jo-Ann Fabrics)
  • 1" foam (I got this at Jo-Ann Fabrics)
  • Scissors
  • Optional dust mask (Filling inside of old chair cushions can be dusty, moldy, nasty. Yuck!)
Directions:
  1. Unscrew seats from the chairs.
  2. Use hammer claws and screwdrivers to pry up tacks that hold old fabric/material in place.
  3. Peal off old stuffing and seat cover (mine was sawdust and horse hair and a previous layer of leather).
  4. Trace outline of seat onto foam.
  5. Cut foam.
  6. Cut a block of fabric that is at least 2" larger than the seat in order to wrap around the side and staple into place.
  7. Lay fabric down pattern-side down, making sure to be consistent with the pattern orientation. Place foam on fabric and wooden seat on top.
  8. Staple fabric onto seat. (Pointers: Staple fabric into place on one side, then the opposite side so that you can pull fabric tight. Cut away excess fabric, especially near old screw holes.)
  9. Screw seats back on.


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