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Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:35 am
by Redcoat
Hi everyone!
First post here. I’ve done a few projects before, but my wife really wants these chairs changed to leather.
How hard would it be? Any tips, tricks or guidance would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
David
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:06 am
by BigRig
@Redcoat , being an upholsterer I would send these to a furniture upholsterer myself. This means I would not touch them but @Rhonda would I bet.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:08 pm
by JimmieJoe
You should probably start by finding out how much a hide in the color your wife wants will cost.
There is a lot of scrap when working with leather as hides are an irregular shape.
1 hide is typically 55square feet.
The back of the chair, the front of the back and the seat are all large pieces.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 11:03 pm
by Redcoat
Thanks @JimmieJoe . I dug in a little more and my wife is ok with a good lookalike.
Would the work be overly complicated though? Are you aware of any videos that would show me how to tackle it?
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:31 am
by Rhonda
charlotte Fabrics has a ultrahyde pro material , you cant hardly tell the difference between leather or it. i pay around 26.95 a yard , you have to become a dealer to buy it at that price.
I have a business name so really all i had to do was register. it has a lifetime warranty . I have never had a problem with the company or the material.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:44 am
by Redcoat
Great, thanks @Rhonda ! Sounds like exactly what we’d want to use.
Would you mind giving any advice on the reupholstering please?
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:16 am
by BigRig
Buy a yard of pvc or faux leather and a yard of tack strip or try to reuse the original. Do one back and put it back on, all you will need for tools are scissors and a rubber mallet.
If you decide to buy 15 yards of material, a roll of tack strip, thread, a button maker and staple gun you just have the time to put into them. I would estimate 50 hours bare minimum for you to do the chairs.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:29 am
by JimmieJoe
Are you simply copying the existing upholstery, or are you changing it?
Do you have all of the tools required?
Did your wife picks color that would allow you to purchase ready made buttons, or do you need to make your own buttons to match the material your wife picked?
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:31 pm
by Rhonda
Make sure you have the right tools . I used a regulator on the folds . but you can make one of those. Do not use the cloth pattern as a pattern . Because the vinyl will fold differently.
Take your time. The corners you may have to make some cuts , to get it to lay right. measure , measure , measure.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:48 am
by Redcoat
Thanks all.
What tools do I need? I have a small nail/staple gun.
I plan to use the vinyl that Rhonda recommended, instead of the cloth. Can I be successful if I upholster over the cloth?
I think we can simplify things and avoid the tufting - was planning to batting in the holes and recover foam with batting to create a new foundation.
Thanks again.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:51 am
by Redcoat
Redcoat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:48 am
Thanks all.
What tools do I need? I have a small nail/staple gun.
I plan to use the vinyl that Rhonda recommended, instead of the cloth. Can I be successful if I upholster over the cloth? It's really easy to separate the base from the back and
I think we can simplify things and avoid the tufting - was planning to batting in the holes and recover foam with batting to create a new foundation.
Thanks again.
Re: Newbie question: reupholstering dining chairs in leather?
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:14 am
by BigRig
@Redcoat , You cannot cover over the cloth. You need to strip everything down. Like I advised do a back first that will be safe and sound.