Your dining room chairs are stuck in a time warp as the latest trends come and go as the seasons pass, and the kids outgrow their high chairs. Changing the covers on the chairs in the dining room is a quick and simple approach to updating the area's aesthetic. Fabric coverings are simple to sew and can be used to set a seasonal atmosphere or liven up a party. Sewing abilities are not required for some styles. Note that chair decorations can help your guests feel at home.
|
Contents[hide]
|
Removing the Outdated Seat Covers
- Begin by using a screwdriver to remove the screws that attach the dining seat to the base. Rotate the screwdriver counterclockwise to loosen the screws. Remember to keep the screws that hold the chair frame intact so that you can reattach the seat later.
- Remove the staples or tacks that secure the fabric. You can use the flat side of a hammer or a specialized tool designed for this purpose. Insert the end of the tool beneath each staple or tack and lift it up. Discard the nails or staples, as you will be using a staple gun to secure the new fabric.
- Once the staples or tacks are removed, carefully lift off the fabric from the seat. It is advisable to remove the fabric if you plan on replacing the seat's padding. If your chair has a combination of cloth and hay cushioning and it's old, consider replacing it with foam.
Modifying the Dust Shield and Cushion
- Cut the dust cover fabric to fit the seat. Place the cloth dust cover over the chair base and trim along the outer corners of the seat to achieve the proper size. Don't worry if the edges aren't perfect, as they will be covered by foam and fabric. Additionally, use a dust cover to prevent the cushion from sinking into the seat base.
- Cover the seat base with the dust cover and staple it around its perimeter. Check that the material is taut before proceeding. Start by placing 1 staple in the middle of each side, then move outwards on every side, pulling the cloth as you go.
- Once the foam pieces are cut out, you can put them on the seat frame and ensure the edges match up. After the batting has been laid out, you can place the foam directly on top of it, followed by the seat's metal structure. Take care to align the foam and the seat with the batting.
- The batting must extend beyond the seat's back by at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) across all sides. Before cutting the batting, ensure a border of at least 2 inches (5.1 cm). Batting can be cut while still wrapped around the edge of the seat, or you can mark it to show where to cut it.
- Staple the batting to the center of the seat, and then apply padding from there. Start by stapling the center of each edge and then the remaining sides. Pull the padding tightly along the edges before stapling. When reupholstering a seat, begin at the center staple and work towards one corner, then repeat the process on the opposite side once one side is complete.
- Fold over the excess fabric at each corner of the seat. Fold the fabric in half and then in the middle, and staple it at the corner of the seat. If there is still excess material, fold it and secure it with staples. Repeat this process for all four corners of the chair.
Once the batting is securely attached to the seat, trim off the excess material to make it more manageable. Remove the pins from the seat's interior, leaving about 1 inch of space. Be careful not to cut the batting right at the staples, as it may come undone.
How to Replace Upholstery by Cutting and Gluing
- It would help if you flushed the batting and the cushion against the material. The ideal distance to keep the seat from the fabric's edges is three to four inches, but you should be relaxed if this isn't possible. Before making any cuts, you can make the necessary adjustments.
- Choose a dark colour, so spills and stains are less noticeable, or invest in a water-resistant material to safeguard your chair. Reduce the excess fabric by 3-4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the pillow's outer edges. Covering the cushion will require this much material. You can use wrapping up the cloth over the tops of the seat edges as a measuring tool or determine the desired cutting locations. Next, cut the fabric where you marked it.
- Centre the upholstery and staple it to the seat's four sides. To do this, grab the cloth on one side of your seat and lift it over the top. You can secure the fabric by finding the seat's centre and then stapling it there. And three more times on the other sides of the chair. If the seat is round, staple the cushion to the bottom at four evenly spaced points, such as at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock.
- Make a decision and focus on just one side of your seat at a time. Pull the cloth near the first staple you inserted on the seat's interior. The next step is to begin stapling down the edge, working outward toward the seat's corner. Take your time with stapling the fabric into the seat's corners. That needs to be done on both sides of each chair.
- Pick a location and fold the cloth over if you wish to gather it after attaching it along the sides. The cloth is then folded in half once more, and to keep it in place, the middle fold is stapled many times. For the other angles, repeat the process.
- After the corners have been stapled down, trim the fabric on the interior of the chair back to be 1 inch from the staples. You will contain excess material in this manner. Cutting the material too near to the staples could cause it to unravel.
- Finalize the seat by cutting a dust guard fabric to its exact measurements. You can drape the cloth over the chair's back and trim it to fit. When removing the dust cover material, don't nick the upholstery material.
- After folding it over on one side of the chair, staple the cloth dust cover. Start stapling in the centre of one fabric side and work to the edge. To fully fasten the dust covering to the chair, repeat this process around all its perimeter.
- When you've finished tucking in the fabric, your newly reupholstered dining chair is ready to be used. Reassemble the chair and base using the spare screws. If you have additional chairs that need reupholstering, proceed as before with each one.
Related Reading: how to make a dining chair?
We recommend:
Take away
The fabric you choose for your chair coverings should reflect the style of your dining area and the frequency with which you want to utilize them. Use this guide to change the back of your dining seat.
FAQs
How do I remove the outdated seat covers from my dining chairs?
To remove the outdated seat covers, start by unscrewing the screws that secure the dining seat to the base. Then, use a hammer or a special tool to remove the staples or tacks holding the upholstery in place. Lift the fabric off the seat once the staples or tacks are removed.
Can I replace the seat padding while changing the upholstery?
Yes, you can replace the seat padding while changing the upholstery. If your chair has a combination of cloth and hay cushioning, it is recommended to replace it with foam for better comfort.
How do I modify the dust shield and cushion when reupholstering dining chairs?
Cut the dust cover fabric to fit the seat and staple it around the perimeter of the seat base. Ensure that the material is taut before stapling. Cut foam pieces to match the seat frame and place them on top of the dust cover. Then, align the foam and the seat with batting to provide additional padding.
What is the process for replacing upholstery by cutting and gluing?
When replacing upholstery, choose a fabric color that hides spills and stains or opt for water-resistant material. Cut the fabric about 3-4 inches larger than the pillow's outer edges. Staple the upholstery to the seat's four sides, starting at the center and working outward. Trim excess fabric, staple the corners, and finish by attaching a dust guard fabric to the chair's back.