Most individuals save thousands of dollars annually by doing home repair projects instead of buying replacement items. One such project might be reupholstering theater seats. The expense of a new theater chair might range from $250 to $1,000, whereas reupholstering a damaged cushion might be under $50.
Items You Will Need
- Gorilla Glue
- Pencil
- Paper
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver
- Staples
- Staple gun
- Foam rubber cushion
- Scissors
- Fabric
Directions
Step 1: Remove the Cushions
Take off the cushion(s) you want to reupholster. A few cushions are screwed into place, whereas others wedge in and easily pop out. Measure your cushion with your tape measure. Add 3″ – 6″ to the width and length to permit the cushion depth as well as to offer excess for connecting your new seat cover. Jot your measurements down on a piece of paper.
Step 2: Remove Old Fabric
Using your pliers and screwdriver to pry the staples up, remove your old fabric from your cushion. Evaluate the cushion’s condition beneath the old fabric. If the cushion is deteriorating, unpleasantly fragrant, or flat, you’ll need to replace it.
Step 3: Make the Cushion
Using your seat board the old cushion was connected to as a stencil, trace the cushion’s shape on the foam rubber and fabric’s backside with your pencil.
Squeeze a good quantity of Gorilla Glue on the foam rubber’s underside. Line the foam rubber with the seat board, then press it into place. Flip the seat upside-down for the cushion to be on the bottom) and allow to dry for one hour. Putting books on the seatboard strengthens the adhesion.
Step 4: Attach the New Fabric
Lay your new upholstery fabric on the table with its underside facing up. Put the seat cushion in the middle of the fabric with the cushion side facing down.
Beginning with one corner, pull the middle of the fabric taut, then staple it to your seat board. Moving over to the side opposite of the staple, pull the fabric taut and place a staple in the middle. Continue with this process with the additional two sides. Before fully stapling an entire corner, each corner should have a staple in the middle, snugly pulling the fabric.
Step 5: Staple the Sides
Staple the entire perimeter of the cushion. Start by stapling alongside one corner and leave around 1″ of unstapled fabric near each edge. If necessary, staple the top and bottom of the fabric. Once you staple all the sides, trim the excess fabric at the corners.
Step 6: Staple the Corners
Pull corner fabric around the seaboard’s back firmly as you smooth any bunched-up spaces out. If possible, pull the fabric back to the middle of the seat. When the fabric is secure, staple the corners. Staple every corner three times.
Step 7: Reattach Your Seat Cushion
Reattach your seat cushion to your theater chair. Screw in place if you originally unscrewed it. If not, you should be able to wedge it. Remember, you should be able to remove the cushion and place it back easily. If you struggle to reattach the cushion, check your stapling and ensure no excess fabric.
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