Learning how to repair outdoor furniture fabric is a must if you have many patio chairs outside your house.
Buying a new one is out of the question because they are costly.
If there’s a way to save your old patio chairs, it will be the best option for you.
To know how to replace fabric on patio chairs or repair it, you need a detailed step-by-step guide on properly doing it.
Can You Replace Outdoor Chair Fabric?
Your patio chair fabric can soon have stains, tears, and faded areas, but it doesn’t mean you have to replace the whole furniture.
If the frame is still sturdy, all you need to do is replace or repair the fabric.
We understand, though, that it’s easier said than done.
Although you can do it yourself through simple tutorials on the web, fabric repair and replacement will take a lot of time.
If you have no idea how to do it, you might spend more than a day handling the patio chairs in your house.
How Do You Replace Patio Chair Fabric?
Learning how to replace fabric on patio chairs is a must if you want to refurbish your outdoor furniture.
The frame itself is easy to paint, but the real challenge would be the fabric.
Here is a short guide on how you can replace patio chair fabric and make them look brand new.
1. Measure the Chair
The first thing you need to do is to measure the chair.
You need the right measurements because you will use them when cutting the fabric.
Get your cloth measuring tape to help you get the correct dimensions of the chair.
This type of measuring tape can mold the chair’s curves, so it is the best choice if you want to change the chair fabric.
Prepare your pen and paper and start writing down the measurements.
With the chair standing up, here are the measurements that you should take:
- Measure the top edge of the seat and do it from side to side.
- Measure the bottom edge of the seat, and you should do it from side to side as well.
- Measure the chair starting from the top edge until the bottom edge of the seat.
After taking these measurements, the next step is to turn the chair upside down.
Here are the things that you should do:
- Check the screw holes that are holding the frame together and measure the distance between each hole.
- Get your measuring tape and take the distance between the top edge of the chair to the first screw. Do the same thing with the second screw until you reach the last one.
2. Disassemble the Chair Frame
After getting all the measurements that you need to create the new fabric for the patio chair, it’s time to disassemble it.
Take note that the hardware would be different depending on the style of the chair, but the basic processes are the same.
By using a screwdriver or a socket wrench, start removing the screws from the chair.
If you’re going to disassemble multiple chairs, we have a few simple tips to make sure you won’t mess up with the screws and reassemble them properly later on.
- Keep Small Parts in a Container
Prepare a jar, bowl, or any kind of small storage space where you can place the screws, bolts, and nuts.
This is very important to make sure you don’t misplace any of them during the disassembly.
Losing even one of these bolts or nuts would mess up the assembling process of the chair.
- Label Parts
Label the bars so you would know which one goes to what part of the chair.
You can use a number system for this or simply write top, middle, or bottom so you won’t get confused.
You should also put the label inside the screw plate of the bar so they won’t be seen when you reassemble the patio chair.
- Capture Photos
Take multiple pictures of the patio chair. It’s better to take a picture of each side, so you won’t forget how it looks like.
Sometimes, a simple picture can help you figure out if you did something wrong.
3. Create a Pattern
If you’re a sewer, creating a pattern would be a piece of cake.
If you’re just a regular homeowner, it will be a big challenge for you, especially if you are doing it yourself.
For a sling chair, you need to cut two rectangles, which would be for the front and the back of the envelope.
The measurements you’ve taken will be used for this.
Take your fabric marker and make some marks on the fabric to make sure you know exactly where to cut it.
You can use a T-square or a yardstick to make straight lines on the fabric.
4. Cut Your Fabric
Once you’ve finished marking the parts you should cut, the next step is to prepare the fabric for construction or sewing.
The first thing to do is to cut the rectangles using a fabric scissor. Just trace the markings you’ve made on the fabric.
5. Start Sewing
Apparently, this is the part where the fabric gets put together to create a cover for the patio chair.
This step is the hardest part of DIY because if you have no background in sewing, you will surely mess up everything even if you have a step-by-step guide.
If you know someone who can sew or you have some background in doing this, then you won’t have any issues with this process.
6. Reassemble the Chair
Now that you’ve finished the cover for the patio chair, the next and final step is to assemble the chair.
Here is a simple guide that you can follow:
- Insert the Side Rails
Get the side rails and insert them into the envelope.
Use the screws and the bolts on the slits found on the fabric to prevent damaging the cover.
You have to stretch the sling a bit to add tension to the fabric for a snug fit.
- Attach the Bars and Other Parts
Check the photo you took before disassembling the chair and check its appearance.
From this alone, you can already piece the furniture back together.
- Secure
Tighten all of the screws and bolts to ensure the chair’s sturdiness and your safety when you use it.
How to Repair Outdoor Furniture Fabric
It’s great that you want to replace the furniture fabric, but there are problems that a simple repair can handle.
Learning how to repair patio chairs is a lot easier than simply replacing them.
Below are the suggested steps to repair outdoor furniture fabric.
Clean the Fabric
The simplest way to repair your patio chair is to clean the fabric.
You can easily remove dust and loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner. For stains, clean it with soap and water.
Reupholster Patio Furniture
You can reupholster patio furniture if you want to make it look elegant and sophisticated.
Even if placed outside, these chairs can add aesthetics to your house.
Check the Frame
Check the frame of the patio chair for any damages.
Remove the fabric first and start inspecting it.
Check the bolts and nuts and make sure they are all tight.
Look for any visible damage from the frame.
You have to assess the damage if you can still fix it or already due for replacement.
How to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture
You should protect your outdoor furniture at all costs. They are very expensive and replacing them will surely break your bank.
Instead of finding ways on how to repair patio chairs or replace your outdoor furniture, try to find methods to protect it from damage.
Below are a few simple tips that you can consider.
Clean Regularly
Even if the weather is sunny and not raining or snowing, you need to clean your outdoor chairs regularly.
They would accumulate dust, dirt, and stain as long as they are outside the house.
Even if you cover them, there is still a chance that the chair would get filthy.
The best time to clean your outdoor furniture is a few days before you store them to prevent mold growth.
You can clean the furniture using soap and water.
If it is made from wood, you need a wood-cleaning soap because this material is susceptible to water damage.
You also can’t let the wooden chair stay wet for a long time.
So, instead of splashing the chair with soap and water, use a rag to clean it.
Combine the wood-cleaning soap and water and use the rag to wipe the dust and dirt from the chair’s surface.
Coat Non-Fabric Items
You can apply a protective coating to the chair to make it look brand new.
It will also serve as a protective layer to ensure the chair don’t get scratched or damaged easily.
If your chairs are made from aluminum or plastic, regular car wax will surely make them sparkle.
For wood, you can apply a new layer of finish or try a varnish topcoat.
Keep in mind that you need to remove the dust and dirt before applying the coating.
Not cleaning the wood before applying varnish can affect the appearance of the chair.
Cover for Protection
One of the best ways to keep your patio chairs, as well as tables, swings, sofas, and other furniture pieces, safe and protected is to cover them.
Covers made from polyester, canvas, and vinyl will be a good choice since they’re UV-resistant and waterproof.
Water damage is very common if you leave your furniture outside, and furniture covers can also keep them dry.
Store Properly and Safely
Although known as outdoor furniture, it doesn’t mean you can just leave it outside the whole year.
If the winter season is coming, it’s better to store your furniture inside your garage or any storage space inside the house.
If you are storing the furniture, always put a cover as well to prevent dust from accumulating.
You should keep the furniture away from moisture, especially if they’re made from wood.
Conclusion
You should learn how to repair outdoor furniture fabric if you want to save a lot of money in the future.
You can spare some time and do it yourself or hire someone to repair the outdoor chairs for you.
The step-by-step guide above can help you get started, but you need to work on your sewing skills to make it possible.
Also, always keep in mind that must also take good care of your outdoor furniture and its fabric to prolong its life.