No Pattern Used: 0000 (Barstool Seat Reupholstery)  - Type:Home Dec  | | Viewed 54 times
| 121 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 5 people | | Reviewed by: | Renren | 
| About Renren | | | | Member since: 7/20/05 | | Reviews written: 185 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 31 people | | patterns reviewed: 176 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/24/13 1:32 AM | | Project Photo: |  | | | | Fabric: | Cotton [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
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Project Description
The barstools at the kitchen island have needed recovering for several years. It finally got to the point I could no longer ignore this task.
I have recovered chair seats before, as well as a sofa (too ambitious of a project for me although I managed to finish--but I would never do it again). The place I always begin such a project is at the public library and then I supplement library books with online resources.
The one thing to remember on a task like this is to pay very close attention to how you take something apart. Your digital camera is your friend as you record the steps in deconstruction. You can also takes notes, but a sequence of photographs will usually be sufficient for these smaller jobs.
Be sure to save all parts. Use ramekins, glass jars, little bowls, small glasses, or whatever, but be sure you keep every part you remove in the disassembly. You may need to label them, but maybe not for a little job such as a barstool.
Once you get the seat removed, you can pry off the seat cover and then use it to trace off a pattern to cut out the new covers.
Here I have rough cut a copy of the old chair cover. The outer perimeter is cut larger than the pattern of the original top. The reason it is larger is because I'll want some extra fabric to grab hold of as I firmly tug the fabric into position. The two white lines are the actual seat top shape (the inside white chalk line) and the larger chalked circle is the shape of the actual removed cover (the old cover).
This is what the largest rough cut pieces look like from the right side.
Here's where I trace the shape of the cushion top on the wrong side of the fabric.
The cushion and plywood seat mount are in place in preparation for attaching the fabric.
At this point I start stapling down the fabric cover. I use an electric staple gun (heavy duty) although I have used a manual one in the past. My hands are not strong enough these days to operate a manual one properly. The electric staple gun is faster, of course, but be sure to use proper safety precautions. I use leather gloves and safety glasses. It also helps to have a strong armed individual to help you tug on the fabric With all the tugging, you want to make sure you don't introduce distortion to the fabric design.
Once the fabric is securely stapled in place, trim the excess.
Here is the first top completely trimmed.
The hammer is used to drive in any staples that are not flush with the fabric. It also helps to pound down fabric that might be a little gathered and which prevents the staples from seating securely in the wood.
I've used do-sew for a new dust cover. The old cover was sagging and was also damaged in the removal process. Time for a new dust cover. Here you see it stapled on with the staples positioned closely around the perimeter. (NOTE: I personally do not recommend do-sew for tracing patterns, the reason I originally bought it, but it works fine for these dustcovers.)
Now the chair frame is being attached to the cushion. This is where you will appreciate that you kept the hardware (screws, in this case) in a safe place.
I used a rechargeable electric screwdriver but a manual one would work--just more muscle required. You will want to have marked the fabric before applying the dustcover to indicate where the original screw holes are or you'll have to probe around to find them.
The finished chair--much better!
One to go! You will get an idea of how bad the chair covers had gotten! two kitchen barstools
When you are covering two or more of the same item, it's best to keep the design elements in the same positions on each item (barstools, in this case). Note how the waves in the flamestitch pattern line up exactly the same from chair to chair. This will mean some fabric waste, unfortunately, but the project will look much better.
Let me talk to you a little about this. Here's something that is most helpful. If you use 4 mil plastic sheeting from Home Depot or the like, cut out 2 patterns and move the plastic around on your fabric until you see all the design elements are identical for both chairs. This is only absolutely necessary if you are running short on fabric--partly to convince yourself you have enough fabric before you start cutting.
Alternatively, if you aren't too tight on fabric, use one plastic pattern to make sure everything is centered nicely top to bottom and side to side, then cut it. Now place the cut fabric on another part of the fabric to cut the 2nd one. When you get the designs lined up, the first cut piece will disappear into the fabric and you will know the design elements are aligned. (Hoping this isn't too wordy--just trying to give you an idea of how to get perfectly matched tops.)
Both barstools completed!
Fabric Used:
Home decorating fabric in a flamestitch pattern, 100% cotton
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and yes, although I hope I don't have to do it again for several years. To that end I plan to make washable covers for these upholstered seats.
Conclusion:
A home decorating project involving reupholstering is a very rewarding activity. It does take some tools and some muscle (an extra hand or two is helpful), but it can be a real money saver as well as provide a sense of accomplishment.
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6 Comments
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Great job...they are looking good!
2/24/13 8:21 AM
Looks great! This inspires me to do ours!
2/24/13 9:26 AM
Very professionally done. And I'm impressed with how you can wield a staple gun!
2/24/13 9:47 PM
Nice work! I'm impressed with how centered the patterns look. I would think it would be difficult with all the pulling and working from the other side.
2/25/13 8:24 AM
Great job! The fabric is wonderful! Good point about using the digicam to take photos of the process!
2/25/13 10:14 AM
Great review & very helpful with all of the details you provided.
2/25/13 9:34 PM