So you found a fabulous chair by the dumpster. It’s unique, solid, and the price was right. What a find! The only problem is that you need to rebuild the entire chair seat, jute webbing and all.
Where do you begin? This is fairly simple if you can see how it breaks down in three parts.
1. Re-web the seat
2. Add a piece of burlap
3. Cut and add the foam
You’ll need:
jute webbing
a web stretcher
electric or pneumatic stapler
scissors
burlap
foam
adhesive
electric knife
The Webbing:
1. Staple one cut end of jute webbing to the chair frame starting in the center
2. Pull the webbing across the other side of the chair frame, poke the web stretcher cleats through the underneath side of the webbing, tighten the webbing by bracing the butt end of the handle against the chair frame and roll it towards you until the webbing is taut. Staple the webbing securely on the top edge of the chair. Cut the webbing leaving 2″, fold it over and staple again
3. Repeat Step 2 on both sides of the first web strap
4. Begin weaving the jute webbing across the chair seat
The Burlap:
1. Cut a piece of burlap that is 1″ larger than the seat all the way around, pull firmly and staple it on the chair edge
2. Fold over the edges and staple again
The Foam:
1. Make a paper template of the seat deck
2. Trace the seat shape on a piece of foam and cut it out with an electric knife
3. Spray the burlap with adhesive and place the cut foam on top
Now you’re ready to add a layer of cotton or dacron batting all around.
See the remainder of the reupholstery of this chair at:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/how-to-upholster-an-open-arm-side-chair-066108
