How do you recreate a back to a chair when the original was taken out?
by
Sarah
+3
I purchased an amazing rocking chair on facebook a few months back. The chair was the sellers attempt at a furniture revamp project which she did not finish. The back of the chair has a wide open hole where I had assumed a cusion backing should be but, she said there was never anything there. I dont know if there was never anything there, but it is gone now and all she had done to replace it is tack on some fabric that serves no purpose. Any ideas on how i can create something to fill this hole? im not TOO experienced with upholstery so I dont think i want to make a cushion to fit, thinking more along the lines of stretching something across the opening?
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If I guess correctly at what you have, I refurbished a rocker like this some time ago. I wanted a professional looking job because it was a gift to my daughter when she was born. After rebuilding and finishing the frame I took it to an upholsterer and they did just as you suggested. Strung the upholstery across front and back with cushion between. Have no idea what else they did, like stretching jute over the cushion, but I am absolutely certain that I would not tackle the job. This is not like wrapping fabric over a dining room chair and stapling the bottom. Every single upholstery job that I have taken to the professionals was a good decision.
Originally it was probably caning. I would recommend a cushion which is very simple. Cut a thin board to match the opening. Wrap batting around it, then stretch fabric over the batting and staple on the other side. Then cut fabric the same size as the board but add two inches to each dimension. Fold edges under, press, then glue to cover back side of board. Add decorative tacks, if desired. Inset cushion into chair and secure with brads or picture frame points
Some of those holes had a piece of 1/8" plywood or veneer that was padded and covered in fabric or leather.... and some were simply upholster.... watch video at 5:28.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumo-B6L6l4
here is with wood and tufting.... 4:44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumo-B6L6l4
You use a double cord edging hot glued over the edge.
Get some durable fabric (thick with a little stretch) cut into strips or leave solid, tack in back on 1 side, pull tight n tack around on back side again!
unfortunately it is a tad bit too thick on the outer edge that is surrounding the empty hole..that is a great idea though! maybe i could make some sort of frame that fits in the hole perfectly and do the same thing with the frame which i would just mount inside the hole?