How to Replace or Change Fabric on Chair Seats

Flip the chair upside down and locate the hardware attaching the seat to the frame. Remove the screws with a screwdriver and set them in a safe place to reuse later.

Remove the staples holding the cloth to the seat. Push a screwdriver under the staple and lift up the staple. Pull out stubborn or broken staples with pliers.

Remove the cloth and use it as a pattern for the new seat cover. Iron the cloth to remove the creases for an accurate pattern piece.

Situate the pattern over the fabric. If there is a pattern or design, such as floral or stripes, place the pattern for the best appearance. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut. Cut the remaining seat covers with the same design showing using the same procedure.

Examine the padding to determine whether you must replace it. Purchase new padding of the same depth for the best results. Glue new padding to the seat with craft glue and allow the glue to dry before adding the fabric. This will prevent the padding from shifting.

Position the fabric on a hard surface with the wrong side of the fabric facing up.

Place the padded side of the seat down and center it over the fabric.

Pull the top of the fabric over the seat and staple the fabric to the seat in the middle and at both ends.

Pull the bottom of the fabric over the seat. Keep the tension on the fabric consistent and staple the fabric 1 inch from the edge near the center and both ends. Repeat this method on the sides of the seat.

Flip the seat over and examine the stress of the fabric. Remove any staples where the tension of the fabric is not consistent and staple the fabric after the problem has been fixed.

Staple the corners by first pulling the point of the fabric over the seat and stapling it. Pull the remaining fabric to the back and staple to the seat. Finish all the corners using this method.

Add more staples at 2-inch increments to hold the fabric to the seat.

Attach the seat to the chair frame using the original screws.