How To: Reupholster a Tub Chair

This DIY mission is an effective way to replace the look of your current furnishings.  Easy methods to get well a bathtub chair and fully change the look or model!

Comfortable Spring Remodelaholic readers.  Jaime from That’s My Letter right here at this time to share a straightforward step-by-step reupholstery mission. 

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  The outdated material was a brown leather-based that simply didn’t go well with my model.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

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

These tub chairs are an incredible addition to our household room house and the wheels make them enjoyable and fully cell for extra seating the place ever we’d like it.

 Easy methods 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 fastidiously with out ripping so you need to use some for sample items in future steps.  Like this black cowl can be saved and changed after the items is reupholstered.

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

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

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

Observe: earlier than including the material to the chair, examine the prevailing padding.  It’d want a contemporary layer of quilting material to assist fill out the brand new material you’re including, because the unique padding could also be a bit squished.  It will 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 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 aspect.

 Step 12 continued: Sew different half of predominant physique.

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

Step 14: Pin entrance arm piece at middle high to predominant physique portion then sew in place.

Step 15: Staple the surplus material 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 material 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 but it surely isn’t mandatory.

Step 18: Substitute black base cowl (reserved once you eliminated it firstly) by utilizing 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 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 high and backside panels.  ** Make sure you go away zipper open with a purpose to flip proper aspect out after stitching.

Observe: Think about changing the seat cushion with new foam if the chair seat is trying smashed.  It will actually assist with the ultimate look of the chair.  If the unique foam continues to be in good condition, you can take into account wrapping the froth in a small layer of batting pad to assist spherical out the cushion.  It will assist it to seem contemporary, fluffy and new and fill out the brand new material 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 coloration 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 possibly can! This generally is a good newbie to intermediate DIY mission in your dwelling that give a huge effect on the tempo if you end up achieved.

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

• 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 tasks beneath your belt, it’ll allow you to really feel capable of attempt one thing greater, with out being completely fearful.

Can I reupholster over current material?

Sure, however I might take into account this extra of an intermediate stage job. For this it’s essential to have some understanding of form and chopping out material with out the “sample” that’s the unique 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 it’s essential to go away the unique material in place, think about using an affordable muslin material to create a sample as you go. For those who lower it too small simply sew on a strip to get the suitable dimension earlier than you narrow out the great material. This fashion, you don’t waste costly material by by accident chopping it too small OR too massive.

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

Can I exploit a scorching glue gun for re-upholstery?

Personally I might consider scorching glue as an assistant who holds issues whilst you work on the mission and never as a solution to safe the seams collectively, except it’s actually your solely choice.

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

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

If stitching shouldn’t be your factor then take into account constructing a bit 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 in 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 received’t consider the retail value.  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 suggestions and tutorials: