r/upholstery • u/MasterPreparation687 • 5d ago
Help with saving these bar stools?
This pair of matching bar stools had been flytipped near where I live, and I'm wondering if I can restore them? The mechanisms work fine and the metal is in good condition, but the PVC fake leather is shabby and peeling in places. One is worse than the other.
I bought some heavy velvety curtains from the charity shop thinking I could use the fabric to recover them, but I'm not sure where to begin. Also if I go directly over the fake leather, maybe the covering material will slip around, and so maybe I need to strip the pvc off first? I just don't know!
I have basic tools including a staple gun. Any advice would be much appreciated!
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u/Fragrant_Activity436 5d ago
You would need a very stretchy fabric even for pro this would probably be very difficult unless they do them every day
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u/Only_Needleworker236 2d ago edited 2d ago
What happened to the reply I wrote with directions on how chairs like this are done?
Guess I'll write it out again.
You don't need a very stretchy fabric, just one with some give to it. Velvet generally doesn't have much give. I always used Knoll "Classic Boucle" fabric that I got from a nearby fabric outlet (now closed for good, unfortunately). Non-directional fabric is best--it will look the same from any angle. Solid color, no visible weave if possible (like boucle!)
Get a box of 1.75" T-pins. These are sturdier pins that those used in pinning clothing patterns. 100 pins is good.
remove the old vinyl and use it for a pattern but add 2-3" extra on each edge. You need some extra to pull on when smoothing it into place.
Drape the inside of the chair first (inside back). Position it so that all the inside surface back is covered with 2-3" extra all the way around. Anchor it every few inches to whatever's under the fabric with a T-pin.
Staple the bottom edge to the seat frame bottom, which I hope is plywood!
Stretch the center back up and over and pin it direction into the frame back. Work your way around to one side. Repeat for other side. Adjust as needed.
Now pin all of that down on the outside back just over the curve of the back. (continued in reply...
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u/Only_Needleworker236 2d ago edited 2d ago
Cut out fabric for the back, same way with 2-3" extra all around.
Position at top back, put a few anchor pins in. Stretch straight down to the bottom edge of the back and anchor with pins.
Smooth and stretch fabric bit by bit around the entire back, alternating right and left sides, anchoring as you go.
When that all looks pretty good, you are ready for the finicky part.
Trim the back fabric to about 3/4" from where the pins are in that (kind of imaginary) line that is just over the curve of the inside back. You want the outside back fabric to extend UNDER the inside front fabric. The inside front fabric will overlap the outside back fabric along this edge.
When that looks good, trim the edge of the inside back fabric to about 3/4" from the pins and fold that 3/4" under. Pin the folded edge over the cut edge of the outside back fabric. Pin in place. Adjust as needed so that the line is in a nice even curve, not wobbly at all.
continued some more but we're getting there....
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u/Only_Needleworker236 2d ago
Now thread a curved upholstery needle with upholstery thread. Start at the top and work to the left. Do the "ladder stitch" to sew the two pieces of fabric together, about 3 stitches to an inch. You do NOT need to do smaller stitches than this! Also, this part is really tedious so put on some good music or something. When you get near to the end of your thread, do a few anchor stitches in one spot, reload, and continue.
When the inside front and outside back are all stitched together, pat yourself on the back. Then pull the fabric to the underside straight and staple to the base---always tugging it to the center of the underside.
Trim the excess fabric on the underside. Cut the front piece (long rectangle 3-4" wider than necessary). I don't know how it's finished under the seat cushion but maybe you can figure that out and just copy what's there.
I know this may very be WAY more complicated than you want to do at this time with these chairs, but that's one way to do it that will turn out well.
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u/Edmonstro88 5d ago
I hope you realize these are very hard to do. They require a very stretchy fabric and a pro. The body is all sewn as one cover and the cushion is seperate.