How To: Reupholster a Tub Chair

This DIY undertaking is a good way to replace the look of your current furnishings.  The right way to recuperate a bathtub chair and fully change the look or type!

Completely satisfied Spring Remodelaholic readers.  Jaime from That’s My Letter right here as we speak to share a straightforward step-by-step reupholstery undertaking. 

My good friend lately was trying to do away with two Ikea Tullsta tub chairs.  They have been older, and dated.  The previous cloth was a brown leather-based that simply didn’t swimsuit my type.  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 crimson pillow trimmed in white pom poms.

These tub chairs are an incredible addition to our household room area and the wheels make them enjoyable and fully cell for extra seating the place ever we want 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 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 cloth rigorously with out ripping so you should use some for sample items in future steps.  Like this black cowl shall be saved and changed after the items is reupholstered.

Step 2: Take away all of the staples to be able to loosen leather-based from body.

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

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

Step 5: Start with largest piece (middle again sometimes).  Place leather-based sample on fold of recent cloth and minimize middle again.  I opted to make fewer seams than the unique leather-based by combining two panels.  Make sure to add any seam allowances which can be vital.  A bigger seam allowance will assist maintain the seams steady when some one sits on the seat.

Notice: earlier than including the material to the chair, examine 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 may assist your piece look full and new if you end up performed, moderately 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 minimize 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 minimize (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 doable.

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 facet.

 Step 12 continued: Sew different half of primary physique.

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

Step 14: Pin entrance arm piece at middle high to primary 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 absolutely 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 possibly can sew the seam of the entrance panel to the facet items however it isn’t vital.

Step 18: Change black base cowl (reserved if you eliminated it firstly) through the use of staples.

Step 19: Minimize seat cushion items – high, backside, facet panel, piping

Step 20: Make zipper closure panel.

Step 21: Sew facet panel to high with piping in between.  Repeat similar course of for backside piece.

Step 22: Sew zipper panel onto facet panel at ends.  Then pin piping in place and proceed to complete stitching high and backside panels.  ** Make sure to go away zipper open to be able to flip proper facet out after stitching.

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

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 coloration to the casters.  Paint inside of wheels, first white then crimson acrylic.  Seal crimson with clear gloss varnish to forestall 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 possibly can! This is usually a good newbie to intermediate DIY undertaking in your dwelling that give a big impact on the tempo if you end up performed.

You want a pair abilities to perform this chair type 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 learn how to use and thread a stitching machine.
• Have a fundamental understanding on stitching. (ie stitching good facet to good facet, straight seams when stitching)
• Entry to some instruments (as listed within the instruments record)

If a full reupholstery undertaking appears daunting, take into account a small eating chair with only a easy seat cushion as a primary time undertaking with a throw pillow. After you have a pair small initiatives below your belt, it’ll enable you to really feel capable of attempt one thing greater, with out being completely fearful.

Can I reupholster over current cloth?

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

Eradicating the unique items, provides you a precise sample to observe which is why many individuals do that. If this isn’t an possibility, and you might want to go away the unique cloth in place, think about using a reasonable muslin cloth to create a sample as you go. In the event you minimize it too small simply sew on a strip to get the proper dimension earlier than you chop out the great cloth. This fashion, you don’t waste costly cloth by unintentionally reducing it too small OR too huge.

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

Can I exploit 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 strategy to safe the seams collectively, until it’s actually your solely possibility.

For instance, you possibly can 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 recent glue has cooled. Think about 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 way of the fibers. This coloration change, or residue that comes although the fibers could also be very noticeable. As a result of reupholstering a chair is usually a comparatively costly undertaking (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 will not be your factor then take into account constructing a chunk of furnishings.  I lately 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 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 in your eating or front room, my most up-to-date construct is that this sliding barn door console:

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

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Extra reupholstering ideas and tutorials: