How to Re-Cover a Chair

 

Buy Plenty, But Just in Case. . .

It’s never a good idea to skimp on your initial fabric order because it’s unlikely you’ll get an exact fabric match the second time around. Better to give yourself at least a 5 to 10 percent overage. That said, if you do end up a bit short, here are ways to “cheat” the fabric:

• Cover the false platform (the fabric that covers the seat of the chair beneath the cushion) with a cheaper, solid fabric.
• Use “pulling strips” or “stretchers” to cover the hidden inches of material where the pieces covering the arms and back are pulled taut and tacked onto the chair frame.

Types of Fabric

When choosing fabric for upholstery, give due consideration to its durability, cleanability, and resistance to soiling and fading.

Linen: A favorite for its natural fibers, linen does soil and wrinkle easily—and it won’t withstand heavy wear. It also requires professional cleaning to avoid shrinkage. The pros are that linen does an admirable job of resisting pilling and fading, making it a good choice for chairs and settees.

Leather: This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap. The only downside is that it shows scratches and scrapes, though you can chalk those up to the desirable patina.

Cotton: An affordable alternative to linen, cotton offers good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling, less so to spots and wrinkling (similar to linen). Surface treatments and blending with other fibers can make up for these weaknesses. Canvas cotton (duck and sailcloth) offer more durability than damask.

Wool: The sturdiest of the bunch, wool stands up well to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soiling. Rarely will you find 100 percent wool; more commonly this natural fiber is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean and to reduce the risk of felting. Pure wool will need to be cleaned by a professional; blends can be spot-cleaned.

Silk: No surprise that silk is the most delicate fabric of all, subject to pulls and tears. It also must be professionally cleaned. If you want the same look but without the pricey upkeep, opt for synthetic (rayon or nylon).

Tip

Outdoor fabrics have made their way indoors for their ability to handle everyday spills and wear and tear. These weather-resistant fabrics come in an eye-catching array of colors and patterns—so they’re tailor-made for the most highly trod areas of your home, inside and out.