Can you advise me on recovering kitchen chairs?

Question

I have four lovely 1950's straight backed vinyl chairs. They match a same period red formica and chrome kitchen table. The vinyl covers are cracked and torn but the chrome frames are still perfectly fine. How would I go about recovering the chairs? Is a special sewing machine required or is there a method of cutting and stapling the vinyl onto the cushion and chair back?

Answer 1

Most seating uses a wooden underlay, such as plywood, or even a single piece of pine or oak. If this is the case, you can simply recover it and tack the material to the bottom of the wooden seat using staples or special tacks that you can find at any Michael's or other crafty store. You might also use a bit of fabric glue to keep it on there really tight.

You COULD use a sewing maching to hem the edges, but you don't need to. You can simply cut the material to the desired size (cutting it a bit long just to be safe) and then folding it over for a nice edge before securing it.

If you use glue though, once you glue it, you'll want to sit something heavy on the bottom of the seat so as to compress the cushion which will reduce the "pull" on the material until the glue sets.

This is one of those really gratifying projects that, when done well, is something to be proud of! Have fun!

Answer 2

You will need to figure out how to expose the attaching area for the vinyl.  (basically disassembling the chair).

Take notes on how it came apart, so you can put it back together.   You should be able to replace the vinyl with a tuck-fold-staple method, pulling it tight to eliminate waves.

Replace the foam and batting while you're at it, and they'll look like new.   Attach the new vinyl at the top, pull it over the new foam/batting, and fold under the opposite edge.

Then while holding it taught, staple it, to secure.  Now pull taught each side and staple.  Finish by cutting off any excess.

The uppers are probably held on with four screws and have a  metal strip covering the staples.  Or it's pocket-type upholstery**, that's tucked and stapled on the bottom.

The bottoms should also be held on with screws, and have stapled underneath.

Good Luck, it sounds like a nice set.

**-You might need to have an upholsterer sew a replacement pocket.  Bring them your old ones, and the replacement vinyl, to save yourself some money on the removal and re-assembly fees.