How To Reupholster Patio Chair Pads and Cushions

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How To Reupholster Patio Chair Pads and Cushions

Summer is here, and with it comes change. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, look around for something you can fix. The problem could be right in front of you, especially if some of your old furniture needs attention. Of course, indoor furniture isn’t the only thing to pay attention to. It might be time to reupholster your patio furniture. Luckily, the process is much easier than you think, but you should follow the proper instructions. Check out our tips on how to reupholster patio chair pads and cushions. 

Why Should You Learn To Reupholster?

There are a ton of benefits to learning how to reupholster your furniture cushions and padding. The primary benefit is that, with the right techniques, you can make most pieces look brand new. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pillow or a cushion. Reupholstering is a useful skill that you should learn. It’ll save you time and money, and it’s a great hobby. You can even sell upholstery services when you get good enough. This is why you should learn how to reupholster patio chair pads and cushions. 

Plan It Out

Before you start reupholstering furniture, plan what you want to do—know what fabric you’ll use and where you’ll get it. You should also know the correct measurements and how much you will cut to make the fabric fit on the old cushion. Additionally, ensure you have time to take on the task. Upholstering can take anywhere from an hour to a few days, depending on your skill level and how long you work on it. That’s why you should plan for these things ahead of time.

Use the Right Tools

To upholster properly, you’ll also need the right tools. Use a staple gun and straight pins to fasten the fabric together and sew it at the edges. A sewing machine is also a great way to sew your fabric. A measuring tape is useful for determining how much fabric you’ll need to reupholster your cushions. Scissors allow you to cut the fabric, and a flathead screwdriver and pliers will help you manipulate and remove any nails or pins from your older cushions.

Remove the Fabric and Cushion

You’ll need a screwdriver for this step. Using the tool, remove your existing cushion from the chair. If the pads are affixed to your chair by straps, you can simply pull the pad and cushion off the back of the chair. While you’re doing this, it’s a great time to address any smaller repairs you want on your chair. If there’s only one cover on the cushion, you can recover the chair without removing the older fabric. Just lay the new fabric over the old fabric. You’ll have more work to do if your cushion has more than one cover. Draw out the staples to take the top layer off your cushion.

Cut the Seat Cover

This is where all your measurements will pay off. Lay the fabric over your workstation, and cut a piece according to your earlier measurements. If your fabric is patterned, ensure it’s cohesive and doesn’t cut off mid-pattern on the part of the cushion facing outward. In addition, make sure the part of the fabric you want to present is fully on display, or you’ll feel like it isn’t done properly.

Staple New Fabric

When stapling on the new fabric, there are a few things you’ll want to do. First, fold one edge of the fabric over the seating and staple it to the underside of the cushion, one to three inches from the edge. You’ll be happy you had that extra room since it’ll give you leeway to make mistakes. This is especially important if you’re a beginner. Stretch it across the top seat and fold the fabric over the other side. After that, staple it to the opposite side, where you put the first fastener in place.

After that, ensure the cover is properly aligned with the cushion surface, and flip it over. Keep stapling along the edge of the underside with your staple gun, but stretch the fabric so it’s taut. That said, you don’t want the pattern to become distorted, so don’t stretch it too far. If it’s crooked, release the staples that make it crooked with a screwdriver, then reattach the fabric to the other side.

Wrap the Fabric

You’re almost there. When you get to one of the corners, staple it while stretching the fabric and place it with the cushion. This might not be easy for a beginner, but perfection will come with practice and patience. As you progress, you’ll learn how to attach the fabric without wrinkles. If you accidentally make wrinkles, loosen your staples, adjust the padding, and start again.

Trim It

So you’ve finished stapling. Now what? Trim any extra fabric that’s gone over the edges with your scissors, but leave a few inches of material. Don’t worry about the underside looking perfect. No one will see it anyway, so it isn’t a concern.

The Dust Cover

If you’d like, you can also install a dust cover. This is a darker fabric that lies under the cushion padding. It’ll hide any springs and make the base look more professional than it would have without it. Remember, this is an optional step, but it’s often worth it. Make sure you measure the chair’s underside and cut the dust cover like you did the chair cushion fabric from earlier.

Make sure your staples are close to the edge of the fabric, and fold them underneath the cover. After that, fasten the fabric to the opposite side of the seat with a staple. This ensures the fabric is taut. After that, you need to add a staple at every inch and go down to the bottom of the chair.

If you’re looking to supplement your supplies with some upholstery staples to reupholster your chair, we’ve got you covered here at Staple Headquarters. We have a ton of DIY supplies you’ll be happy to browse. Make Salco your only stop!

How To Reupholster Patio Chair Pads and Cushions