What you will need:

  • If the foam has deteriorated you’ll have to replace it with foam of similar density and original thickness. In this case, however, the seat foam is in good repair. You can elect to remove the existing covering fabric, or leave it in place if is simply a case of covering for a new effect. If the existing covering is ripped, then remove it.
  • The new cover fabric must be large enough to overlap the frame of the seat, on all sides, by about 100 mm when it is in place.
  • Remove the seat from the chair and place it, upside-down, in the middle of the piece of new covering material, which has been laid face down on a firm surface.

Method:

  1. Align the pattern carefully if a regular one such as the example used here (a floral or abstract one should be a problem), and staple the front of the new cover to the underside of the seat’s frame (folding the edge of the fabric and stapling through two layers will give you a stronger join).
  2. Repeat the procedure at the rear of the seat, pulling the fabric evenly so that it fits over the foam snugly. Staple the fabric in the centre first, then about 100 mm from each corner, and finally at every 30 mm or so. Don’t attach the extreme corners yet. Once you have attached the two sides in the same manner, staple the fabric around the corner is a series of small folds. Fold first, trim off excess fabric and the staple.
  3. The top view should be something like this so you may need to tuck and fold a few times before trimming. Once you are satisfied, staple the fabric into position.
  4. To finish, staple the under-cover material into and reattach the seat to the chair.

These materials (other than the fabric you select to recover the item of furniture) are available at Selected Mica Stores. To find out which is your closest Mica and whether or not they stock the items required, please go to www.mica.co.za, find your store and call them. If your local Mica does not stock exactly what you need they will be able to order it for you or suggest an alternative product or a reputable source.