How To: Reupholster a Tub Chair

This DIY undertaking is a good way to replace the look of your present furnishings.  The right way to get well a bath chair and fully change the look or fashion!

Completely happy Spring Remodelaholic readers.  Jaime from That’s My Letter right here at this time to share a simple step-by-step reupholstery undertaking. 

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

I reupholstered the chairs in a basic blue and white ticking upholstery cloth, added wheels for mobility and completed off the look with a pink 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’d like it.

 The right way to Reupholster a Tub Chair

Supplies:

Instruments:

• stitching machine
• scissors
• rotary cutter/field knife
• seam ripper
• self therapeutic mat
• clear ruler
• 22″ heavy obligation 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 cloth rigorously 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 in an effort to loosen leather-based from body.

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

 Step 4: Label all unique 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 (middle again sometimes).  Place leather-based sample on fold of latest cloth and lower middle again.  I opted to make fewer seams than the unique leather-based by combining two panels.  Be sure you add any seam allowances which are vital.  A bigger seam allowance will assist maintain the seams secure when some one sits on the seat.

Observe: earlier than including the material to the chair, test the present padding.  It’d want a contemporary layer of quilting cloth to assist fill out the brand new cloth you’re including, for the reason that unique padding could also be a bit squished.  This can assist your piece look full and new if you end up achieved, slightly 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 (that 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 inserting cording within the center and folding binding over.   Use a zipper foot to get seam as tight as attainable.

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

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

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

 Step 12 continued: Sew different half of most important physique.

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

Step 14: Pin entrance arm piece at middle high to most 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 easy base for the chair.

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

Step 18: Substitute black base cowl (reserved whenever you eliminated it at the start) through the use of staples.

Step 19: Lower seat cushion items – high, backside, aspect panel, piping

Step 20: Make zipper closure panel.

Step 21: Sew aspect panel to high with piping in between.  Repeat similar 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 high and backside panels.  ** Be sure you go away zipper open in an effort to flip proper aspect out after stitching.

Observe: Contemplate changing the seat cushion with new foam if the chair seat is wanting smashed.  This can actually assist with the ultimate look of the chair.  If the unique foam continues to be in good condition, you would contemplate wrapping the froth in a small layer of batting pad to assist spherical out the cushion.  This can assist it to seem contemporary, fluffy and new and fill out the brand new cloth nicely. 

Step 23: At this level you may add the unique legs or go for enjoyable rolling caters like we did.  we determined so as to add some shade to the casters.  Paint inside of wheels, first white then pink acrylic.  Seal pink 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 maintain your youngsters from rolling throughout the home!

Questions and Solutions:

Can I reupholster a chair myself?

Completely you may! This could be a good newbie to intermediate DIY undertaking in your residence that give a big impact on the tempo if you end up achieved.

You want a pair abilities to perform this chair fashion because it is a little more heavy in stitching. Bonus, you probably have a buddy that may assist you to be taught as you go, that’s a good way to get began as a newbie. Don’t really feel like not understanding one thing on this record ought to cease you from making an attempt.

• Know how one can use and thread a stitching machine.
• Have a fundamental understanding on stitching. (ie stitching good aspect to good aspect, straight seams when stitching)
• Entry to some instruments (as listed within the instruments record)

If a full reupholstery undertaking appears daunting, contemplate a small eating chair with only a easy seat cushion as a primary time undertaking with a throw pillow. Upon getting a pair small tasks below your belt, it should assist you to really feel capable of strive one thing greater, with out being completely fearful.

Can I reupholster over present cloth?

Sure, however I’d contemplate this extra of an intermediate stage job. For this you should have some understanding of form and chopping out cloth with out the “sample” that’s the unique items.

Eradicating the unique items, offers you a precise sample to observe which is why many individuals do that. If this isn’t an possibility, and you should go away the unique cloth in place, think about using an affordable muslin cloth to create a sample as you go. Should you lower it too small simply sew on a strip to get the correct dimension earlier than you chop out the nice cloth. This manner, you don’t waste costly cloth by by accident chopping it too small OR too huge.

This can be thought-about extra of a slip cowl. And you may try an awesome slipcover tutorial right here.

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

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

For instance, you would use sizzling 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. Contemplate the glue as a quick maintain possibility in order that your cloth stays in place when you safe it.

Be cautious utilizing sizzling glue, with some materials sizzling glue will darken or discolor that cloth when it bleeds by means of the fibers. This shade 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 undertaking (all the material, padding or foam if wanted) I do advocate making an attempt to stitch the items collectively in order that it lasts very long time.

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

All the small print together with construction plans and dimensions can be found here.

And naturally don’t neglect the handsome nightstand to go together with the pipe mattress:

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

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

It’s a knock off undertaking and also you received’t imagine the retail value.  By no means worry you may DIY this barn door console, link to plans in my post here.

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Extra reupholstering suggestions and tutorials: