So tell me REALLY, how hard is it to recover chairs?

[artgoddess]

Cause on those home improvement shows they make it look so easy. But who here has actually done it, was it hard, did you like the results or wish you had professionally done it. I should add I'm talking about dining chairs.

I ordered a new dining set, and I picked the fabric from a teeny tiny swatch, the furniture was delivered today and I hate the way they look. I thought it was going to be a funky abstract design, it's not, it's southweatern. No offense to those who have southwestern homes, it's just so not me. I already called the furniture store, and asked them to find out what they could do for me to switch out the chair-pads etc... But I won't know anything til next week.

If it's like outragously expensive then I thought maybe I could spend the $$ on fabric I really love and do it myself, but I need to know honestly am I crazy for doing that, will it look okay?

[Penelope]

Happileigh has done it - maybe you can track her down!

Seriously, she said it was easy. I think there are directions in a recent issue of Martha Stewart Living... maybe someone could tell you the issue and you could get ahold of it?

[Alkenny]

It should be fairly easy if you can "pop" the pads out (fabric and a staple gun!)

My mom has redone her dining room chairs, regular chairs, all sorts of things...but she's kind of "Martha Stewart"y too.

[calicokatt]

I've done TONS of chairs...benches etc. Its EASY. Just choose a quality fabric, don't cut too small, and make sure to pull it TIGHT!! before stapling.

[wendy1221]

It's extremely easy! You just need fabric and a staple gun as a pp has said.

[mamadege5]

:

[artgoddess]

Okay great, if they want to charge me too much cash for the switching out then I'll just do it myself, and find a fabric I love.

Thanks mamas!

[Elowyn]

Very easy. You can do it!

Home improvement is so empowering!

[chersolly]

It's so easy that I change out the fabric with the seasons.

[Kim]

At first I thought that you meant re-covering an armchair or something like that. I've done it, and it can be a little work.

But to recover dining chair seats? Piece of cake!!! Just remember: Start in the middle.

First staple on the middle=top, then middle=bottom, then left and then right. Last finish by doing the corners.

[artgoddess]

Originally Posted by Kim

At first I thought that you meant re-covering an armchair or something like that. I've done it, and it can be a little work.

But to recover dining chair seats? Piece of cake!!! Just remember: Start in the middle.

First staple on the middle=top, then middle=bottom, then left and then right. Last finish by doing the corners.

Thanks for the tip! I'm now secretly hoping I will HAVE to do it myself, and I can pick my own fun fabric. Can I do it right over the current fabrib? Or will that be too bulky, and should I remove it first?

[Kim]

Ah, I just noticed your name is artgoddess. Are you familiar with stretching canvas over a frame? Same thing.

As for going over the old fabric: I think it depends on the fabrics...is the current fabric thick? smooth? Would your next fabric be so thin that the underfabric would interfere? Personally, I say rip the old stuff off. That way you can use the original as a pattern.