Refurbished Chair Seat

Over the holidays my brother came to visit and asked if we could work together on a project. My eyes widened… YES. My brother and I think similarly – we both have what we like to call ‘analysis paralysis’, which we attribute to our parents – an ICU nurse and a mechanical engineer [guess what my brother and I became? You guessed it – one of each]. Due to this ‘analysis paralysis’ we love to tinker and fix things. I had the perfect project for us.

A year ago I picked up some dining chairs from the side of the road during bulk-pickup week. Side note: GOLD MINE for free finds – I’m talking furniture in great condition, toys, yard furniture… you can really make out if you get out there early. Anyways, I grabbed these hardwood dining chairs. They were in good condition, but a little dirty and their wicker seats had been broken through. ‘I’ll fix them. This will be super easy.’ I said and they commenced to sit in the basement for, you guessed it, over a year.

After a little analysis paralysis we came up with a plan to tackle this chair. I ripped off the remaining wicker. Underneath was a frame simply screwed onto the chair. Perfect. We unscrewed this frame and removed it from the chair. Once removed, we measured each side and went to the store with our measurements and calculations. Using 1.5” cotton strapping, our calculations told us we needed 13 yards to cover the chair in a weave pattern.

We measured the side of the chair we wanted to start on and divided it by the width of our strapping (1.5”) – we could fit about 8 strips on this side. So we found the center of this side and marked it and repeated this on the opposing side. Then we started on the strapping; lining up one edge of strapping to the center line, we stapled the strapping to the underside of the frame. Next, pulling as tight as we could, we stapled it to the opposing side of the frame, again aligned to the center line. Leaving a small space (we figured the space by lining up four straps on each side and divvying up the space (this was less-than-typical anayalsis haha).

In pictures: (note: we first made the mistake of starting on the edge and had to redo by starting in the middle bc our spacing was all messed up. But here is the jist of the method:)

 

Staple, pull, staple, cut, repeat x8. Then, do the same on the other side, but do some weaving – over one, under one, over one, under one. Pull, staple, cut. Keep going until you have filled your chair seat.

Screw the chair seat back onto the chair and clean up the chair a bit. Done.

Honestly, I thought this project would take me WAY longer and I thought it would be a lot more involved. That being said, I am really glad my brother was there to help me with measurements and for a second set of hands to handle the pulling and stapling. Without a little strength the chair seat wouldn’t have been nearly as taught.

I loved spending time with my brother while working on this chair. If it wasn’t for his brains I don’t think I could have figured out half of the measurements. This chair is going to be my new office/ craft room chair (Sorry, fold up chair. You’re out.) It kinda feels like I’m sitting on a little throne. Maybe I’ll paint it gold…. or red?? agh the possibilities are endless!

Please comment if you have questions, I know this is a more challenging tutorial. This is a great indoor project for the Winter!

Cheers!
Bridget
XOXO