covering seat pads

mummyroysof3

my dining chairs have cream coloured fabric seat pads which are looking really grubby. would love to cover them in some thing thats wipe clean. would i be able to cover them in that oil cloth fabric that you can use for a table cloth?

Barneysmom

You could do I should think.
I've used the leatherette, from Dunelm Mills, it's bit thicker.

rising_from_the_ashes

I don't see why not .....

You'd probably not be able to pin them (think it would leave holes) but if you use a strong needle and thick thread on your sewing machine and go slowly lining it up, it should be fine.


ETA: I had a quick search (quite fancy attempting an oil cloth bag - I'm trying to be more adventerous with my sewing machine!) and came across this: http://moogsmum.blogspot.com/2009/12/moogsmums-top-tips-for-sewing-oilcloth.html some useful tips for both pinning and sewing.

mummyroysof3

was hoping to staple them to the wood underneath

the seat pads are 34x39 so i can get 2 from a square metre cant i? still alot cheaper than buying 6 chairs

Memory_Girl

I've done this - although be warned - come the summer (should we ever get one again) beware of wearing shorts and sitting down for tea.

They can get a little "sucky" :rotfl:

Makes clean up for toddlers very easy though.

MG

mummyroysof3

i should be ok..i never wear shorts lol

SpikyHedgehog

I've re-upholstered chairs before though not with oil-cloth as I've used what I've had (the off-cuts from the donated dining room curtains, very co-ordinating and smart ) and you will need a staple gun, if you don't already have one. I padded the dodgy old chairs with a cot bumper that was not needed to give extra comfort - worth doing if you can while you're sorting them! I borrow one from work or my parents as I don't need it much.

If you didn't want to use the oil-cloth, would technical clothing water-proofer help with the stains? The spray-on stuf I got for DS1's motorbike jacket says it reduces dirt build-up...

HOWMUCH

If you are going to cover in oil-cloth I would make sure that it's nice and warm this way you will be a better covering (stretch) use an hairdryer if need be.

PixieDust

Oh yes, I did this when the children were little - the fabric lasted for YEARS - one of the most bestestest ideas I had at the time

mummyroysof3

having trouble deciding on a fabric..seen a lovely one with chocolate on lol

meritaten

yes - oil cloth is brilliant at this. I assume you mean to re-cover the 'drop-in' type of seats?
as another poster says - make sure the oil cloth is warm! much easier to manipulate. and I would take the opportunity to put in a little more padding if poss!
A staple gun is a doddle to use! just be methodical, and dont try to staple huge folds of material - cut away excess where you can! makes for a neater finish!
I did my dining room chairs (twice!) and hun, it was so easy and quick! took less than an hour to do all six!