Chairs upholstered with cording have a thick foam cushion that makes them soft and comfortable. The seamed cover allows room for the thick padding, without compressing it. Reupholstering a corded chair requires some pattern-making and sewing, but it will allow you to replace worn or stained covers with lovely new fabric. Choose a sturdy upholstery fabric that will not be pulled out of shape with wear. The cording can match the upholstery or you can add interest to the covers with contrasting cording.
Instructions
1. Lay a folded quilt or a beach towel on a table with one side hanging over the edge to protect the table's surface. Place the chair on the quilt with the back of the chair hanging over the padded edge. Remove the screws that hold the cushion on. Lift the frame off the cushion and set the frame aside.
2. Remove the staples that attach the upholstery to the bottom of the cushion by prying them out with a flat-head screwdriver. Turn the cushion over and lift the cover off.
3. Place the cushion on a large sheet of paper with the top side down and trace around the top of the cushion. Set the cushion aside. Add the seam allowances by drawing a line 1/2 inch away from the lines you traced, on the outside of the shape. This is the pattern for the top of the cushion cover.
4. Measure the thickness of the cushion from the top of the foam to the bottom of the board. Measure along a corner to be sure you are measuring straight down. Add 1 1/2 inches to this measurement. Measure the distance around the cushion and add 1 inch to this measurement. Cut a strip of fabric for the sides of the cushion with these measurements.
5. Lay the strip on a flat surface with the right side of the fabric up. Fold the strip in half by bringing the short sides of the strip together. Sew the strip into a ring by stitching 1/2 inch from the short edges with a straight stitch and a standard stitch length.
6. Lay the top of the cushion cover, right-side up, on a flat surface. Pin cording around the edge of the fabric, starting in the center of the back side. The flat edge of the cording should be even with the edge of the fabric. The cord side should point toward the center. Overlap the ends 1/2 inch and allow them to extend 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the fabric. This will ensure the cut ends are inside the cushion cover.
7. Install the zipper foot on the machine according to the manufacturer's directions. Set the machine to sew with a stitch length of four stitches per inch. Sewing with this stitch length is called "basting." Sew the cording to the fabric stitching on the flap as close to the cord as you can.
8. Pin the sides of the cushion around the edge of the top with the seam at the back. Place the right sides of the fabric together and align the edges. Sew the sides to the top with a standard stitch length. Sew as close to the cord as possible along the basting seam.
9. Pull the cover over the cushion and turn it over. Pull the edges of the cover over the board on the bottom and staple them in place, pulling the fabric tightly. Place a staple every 2 inches along the edge 1/2 inch from the edge of the fabric. Make small tucks in the fabric at the corners and staple them in place. Place the cushion right-side down on the table and place the chair frame on top. Replace the screws to attach the cushion to the chair frame.
Tags: edge fabric, stitch length, cushion cover, , around edge, chair frame