DIY Slipper Chairs

Preparing the Base

• 1

  Remove old upholstery fabric by removing staples with pliers from the underneath side. Be careful to prevent rips or tears in the fabric if you will be using pieces as a pattern for the new fabric. Remove any upholstery tacks and staples left after fabric is removed. Remove old foam if it needs replacing.

• 2

  Check chair for sturdiness by wobbling or gently shaking it. Tighten any loose screws if necessary. Tighten springs if necessary.

• 3

  Apply paint stripper with old paint brush in small sections. Paint stripper on with a very thick coat, following manufacturer's directions on application. Allow to bubble. Using a paint stripping tool, begin stripping in small sections. Use wire brushes around any detailed carved areas. Repeat over entire wood section of chair. Repeat process for thick layers of old paint.

• 4

  Rinse stripped area with a vinegar wash to remove stripper residue. Use 200-grit sandpaper and nylon scouring pads to remove any remaining paint. Paint or stain the legs and skirt with several thin layers. Sand between each coat with a fine-grit sandpaper, such as 200-grit. Apply a varnish over the dried paint areas to protect the finish. Allow to dry.

Upholstering the Chair

• 5

  Cut two pieces of foam, one for the seat and one for the back. Cut a piece of batting to cover the foam. Use enough batting to wrap to the back. Staple to the frame. Do the same for the bottom of the chair. Staple to the frame.

• 6

  Cut a piece of fabric to fit from the front to the rear of the chair back, starting and ending where the seat begins. Cut two strips of fabric the length and width of the sides of the back of the chair. With right sides together, pin and sew the strips to the front and back section, beginning at the lower edge of the front. Continue around the piece of back fabric across the top edge and down the back, ending at the lower edge. This is the one-piece cover for the back. Turn right side out. Place over back of chair. Attach with upholstery tacks or staples along the bottom edge.

• 7

  Cut fabric to cover seat. Staple the fabric onto the seat, beginning at the sides and pulling to the bottom of the seat. Staples should be about 1 inch to 1 1/2-inches in from the edge. Begin stapling in the middle of the side fabric, continuing on each side of the middle staple to the edges. Pull fabric taut and staple the other side on the bottom. Beginning in the middle of the back, staple fabric to bottom of seat. Pull fabric extra taut on the front and staple the same as back. For the corners, tuck fabric gift-wrap style, creating a neat crease at the corner. Staple the corner fabric to the bottom. Trim any excess from within 1/2 inch of the staples.

• 8

  Cut a piece of black underlining cloth to fit the underside of the chair. Glue and staple black fabric over raw edges of upholstery fabric.