Reupholstering a tub chair can be expensive if done by a professional. You can however do it yourself with a little effort and cost. The advantage of this is of course, is that you can spend the extra money you would’ve spent on labour towards better fabric. Another great reason to do this is that you can cover it in any fabric you like, so it’ll be completely personal to you.
This project is likely to take a few days so be sure to assign adequate time:
Preparation
Before starting this project, you’ll need to gather or buy a few tools and resources. First you’ll want to get the tools; needle-nose pliers, staple gun, fabric glue, scissors, a sewing machine and a Flathead screwdriver. As for fabric and other items, this is mostly up to you, but you’ll need around 13+ yards of fabric, some contrasting fabric for cording, cardboard or metal stripping, 5/8inch firm batting, heavy duty thread, heavy duty sewing machine needles and a replacement zipper.
The first step is to remove the old upholstery and staples with a Flathead screwdriver and needle-nose pliers, be sure to use care when doing this otherwise you’ll tear the fabric.
Identify each piece of the fabric using chalk or some form of fabric marker. Write the names of each section like ‘Right trimming’ or ‘Left arm’. You’ll want to use these pieces as a template for cutting the new fabric. At this point you’ll also want to remove the seat cushion, using a seam ripper to take its case apart. You can remove the zipper and label in a similar way to earlier. If your chair is dirty or has other signs of wear then it’s best to clean it or even repaint/refinish the legs and visible areas that won’t be covered with fabric.
Layout and Cutting
Now it’s time to start laying out the templates and cutting. Place the old templates on top of your new fabric and pin them in place. Be sure to take the pattern of the fabric into consideration when positioning this, though the importance of this depends entirely on your fabric choice. Cut out each piece using the templates, leaving a 5/8inch seam allowance from the stitch line for seams and then two inches on all the other edges. Be sure you check your templates are still in place and everything’s lining up.
Cut contrasting fabric into strips; make sure they’re wide enough to fold in half over the cording and have a 5/8inch seam on each side. Fold in half lengthwise over the cording, using fabric glue next to it. Attach batting with a fabric spray adhesive to plump up the flat areas of the chair like the seat cushion, arms and backing.
Sewing and Assembly
To start the final step of stitching and assembly, stitch the side and back pieces together, pressing the seams flat. With the right sides together, pin and stitch the inside and the outside sections together, beginning at the top centre and working out and down each side. Turn the fabric right side out and press, clip seam allowances on curves so they lie flat.
Now take the canvas stretcher pliers, pull the bottom of the fabric down in front and staple to the wooden frame; starting in the centre and working your way out to each of the sides. Trim the excess fabric but leave about 1inch after the staples.
Push the wrong side of the fabric along the top of the lower front piece onto the tacks, roughly two inches from the edge of the fabric. Begin in the centre of the back, holding the fabric vertically taut when pushing it onto the tacks. Turn the tacking strip over, resulting in a finished edge. The tacks will now be pointing down and the fabric wrapped around the cardboard strip. Now you can position the strip and use a rubber mallet to hammer the tacks into the frame.
Starting at the centre bottom of the lower front section, pull the fabric tight with stretching pliers and staple around on the outer edge underneath the frame. This way the staples will be hidden, work your way either side around the chair.
Cut a piece of canvas fabric 2 inches or larger than the inside bottom of the seat. Press the edges underneath and staple in place, hiding the raw edges of the upholstery fabric. Repeat this process on the underside of the chair. For the cushion, follow the pattern in stitching the back side sections with a basting stitch. Install a quality zipper then remove the basting stitches; sew the cushion cover together, insert the cushion zip closed and place on the seat of the chair.
Ed Sloane is the MD of Home Life Direct and TubChairs.com, online furniture retailer based in the UK. Please visit www.tubchairs.com for further information.
