How To: Reupholster a Tub Chair

This DIY mission is a good way to replace the look of your present furnishings.  How one can recuperate a bath chair and fully change the look or model!

Comfortable Spring Remodelaholic readers.  Jaime from That’s My Letter right here at the moment to share a simple step-by-step reupholstery mission. 

My good friend not too long ago was seeking to eliminate two Ikea Tullsta tub chairs.  They have been older, and dated.  The outdated cloth was a brown leather-based that simply didn’t swimsuit my model.  Time for a furnishings makeover.

I reupholstered the chairs in a traditional blue and white ticking upholstery cloth, added wheels for mobility and completed off the look with a purple pillow trimmed in white pom poms.

These tub chairs are an awesome addition to our household room area and the wheels make them enjoyable and fully cellular for extra seating the place ever we want it.

 How one can Reupholster a Tub Chair

Supplies:

Instruments:

• stitching machine
• scissors
• rotary cutter/field knife
• seam ripper
• self therapeutic mat
• clear ruler
• 22″ heavy responsibility zipper
• staple gun ( I discover staples are simpler than tack strips)
• staples
• pliers
• flat head screwdriver (staple remover)

Step 1: Unscrew the wooden legs and start eradicating staples utilizing flat head screwdriver and pliers from the black base cowl.  Attempt to take away these items of material fastidiously with out ripping so you need to use some for sample items in future steps.  Like this black cowl will probably be saved and changed after the items is reupholstered.

Step 2: Take away all of the staples with a view to loosen leather-based from body.

Step 3: Gently pull leather-based off of body holding massive items in tact to make use of as a sample.

 Step 4: Label all authentic cloth items.  (You actually solely want one aspect of the leather-based items, simply reverse to make the cuts for the opposite aspect different aspect.)

Step 5: Start with largest piece (heart again usually).  Place leather-based sample on fold of recent cloth and lower heart again.  I opted to make fewer seams than the unique leather-based by combining two panels.  You should definitely add any seam allowances which can be essential.  A bigger seam allowance will assist preserve the seams secure when some one sits on the seat.

Observe: earlier than including the material to the chair, test the prevailing padding.  It would want a recent layer of quilting cloth to assist fill out the brand new cloth you might be including, for the reason that authentic padding could also be a bit squished.  This can assist your piece look full and new if you end up finished, fairly than barely squashed. 

Step 6: Start stitching panels collectively.  Sew each the inside paneled sections collectively.   Then individually sew the outside again items collectively  – however don’t sew these to one another simply but, we have to make the piping first.  

Step 7: To make the piping lower 2″ strips on the bias (which means on the diagonal to there’s a little bit of pull or stretch to the material).

Step 8: To make the piping (or welting) sew binding strips collectively by lining up bias lower (A)  then sew items at a 90 angle (B).  Press seam open (C) and the ultimate seam (D).  Make 10 yards of piping for every chair.

Step 9: Sew cotton cording into binding by putting cording within the center and folding binding over.   Use a zipper foot to get seam as tight as potential.

Step 10: Pin the piping to prime uncooked fringe of inside again.

Step 11: Place exterior panel on prime of inside (proper sides collectively) matching up heart backs.

Step 12: Sew panels collectively (nonetheless utilizing zipper foot) with piping in between.  Begin on the heart again and full one aspect.

 Step 12 continued: Sew different half of important physique.

Step 13: Pin piping to uncooked fringe of arm portion.

Step 14: Pin entrance arm piece at heart prime to important physique portion then sew in place.

Step 15: Staple the surplus cloth or uncooked edges of inside panels to crevice of body at seat.  If any staples don’t totally set into the wooden, simply pound them in with a hammer.

Step 16: Flip the chair the other way up and staple the uncooked edges of exterior panels to underside of the chair or chair base.  Trim the surplus cloth if essential to have a pleasant clean base for the chair.

Step 17: Staple the entrance panel cowl into the within of the seat crevice and beneath base.  If desired you possibly can sew the seam of the entrance panel to the aspect items nevertheless it isn’t essential.

Step 18: Exchange black base cowl (reserved while you eliminated it originally) by utilizing staples.

Step 19: Reduce seat cushion items – prime, backside, aspect panel, piping

Step 20: Make zipper closure panel.

Step 21: Sew aspect panel to prime with piping in between.  Repeat identical course of for backside piece.

Step 22: Sew zipper panel onto aspect panel at ends.  Then pin piping in place and proceed to complete stitching prime and backside panels.  ** You should definitely depart zipper open with a view to flip proper aspect out after stitching.

Observe: Think about changing the seat cushion with new foam if the chair seat is trying smashed.  This can actually assist with the ultimate look of the chair.  If the unique foam continues to be in fine condition, you might take into account wrapping the froth in a small layer of batting pad to assist spherical out the cushion.  This can assist it to seem recent, fluffy and new and fill out the brand new cloth nicely. 

Step 23: At this level you possibly can add the unique legs or go for enjoyable rolling caters like we did.  we determined so as to add some colour to the casters.  Paint inside of wheels, first white then purple acrylic.  Seal purple with clear gloss varnish to stop chipping.

Step 24: Connect wheels to base, pre-drill and use wooden screws to suit.

Your tub chair is prepared, now attempt to preserve your youngsters from rolling throughout the home!

Questions and Solutions:

Can I reupholster a chair myself?

Completely you possibly can! This could be a good newbie to intermediate DIY mission on your house that give a big impact on the tempo if you end up finished.

You want a pair abilities to perform this chair model because it is a little more heavy in stitching. Bonus, when you’ve got a good friend that may enable you to be taught as you go, that’s a good way to get began as a newbie. Don’t really feel like not figuring out one thing on this record ought to cease you from making an attempt.

• Know methods to use and thread a stitching machine.
• Have a primary understanding on stitching. (ie stitching good aspect to good aspect, straight seams when stitching)
• Entry to a few instruments (as listed within the instruments record)

If a full reupholstery mission appears daunting, take into account a small eating chair with only a easy seat cushion as a primary time mission with a throw pillow. After getting a pair small initiatives beneath your belt, it is going to enable you to really feel capable of attempt one thing larger, with out being completely fearful.

Can I reupholster over present cloth?

Sure, however I’d take into account this extra of an intermediate degree job. For this you have to have some understanding of form and reducing out cloth with out the “sample” that’s the authentic items.

Eradicating the unique items, offers you an actual sample to comply with which is why many individuals do that. If this isn’t an choice, and you have to depart the unique cloth in place, think about using an affordable muslin cloth to create a sample as you go. In case you lower it too small simply sew on a strip to get the precise measurement earlier than you chop out the great cloth. This fashion, you don’t waste costly cloth by by chance reducing it too small OR too massive.

This can be thought of extra of a slip cowl. And you’ll take a look at an awesome slipcover tutorial right here.

Can I take advantage of a scorching glue gun for re-upholstery?

Personally I’d consider scorching glue as an assistant who holds issues when you work on the mission and never as a technique to safe the seams collectively, until it’s really your solely choice.

For instance, you might use scorching glue to assist safe the surplus cloth on the backside of the chair, however I’d additionally safe it with staples after the new glue has cooled. Think about the glue as a quick maintain choice in order that your cloth stays in place when you safe it.

Be cautious utilizing scorching glue, with some materials scorching glue will darken or discolor that cloth when it bleeds by means of the fibers. This colour change, or residue that comes although the fibers could also be very noticeable. As a result of reupholstering a chair could be a comparatively costly mission (all the material, padding or foam if wanted) I do suggest making an attempt to stitch the items collectively in order that it lasts very long time.

If stitching is just not your factor then take into account constructing a chunk of furnishings.  I not too long ago constructed this pipe and wood slats bed for my son:

All the main points together with construction plans and dimensions can be found here.

And naturally don’t overlook the handsome nightstand to go along with the pipe mattress:

This very masculine nightstand is a pleasant simple build you can check out here.

And lastly one thing on your eating or front room, my most up-to-date construct is that this sliding barn door console:

It’s a knock off mission and also you gained’t consider the retail worth.  By no means worry you possibly can DIY this barn door console, link to plans in my post here.

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Extra reupholstering suggestions and tutorials: