Can nubby or tweed-like upholstery fabric be painted?

Hi Glenda, You can paint all kinds of fabric but something to remember is that if that fabric has a pattern it will show through the paint. You could definitely get rid of the pills first and then go for it. I would recommend trying to get a little piece of the fabric (sometimes there is some on the back of the chair or the underside of the skirt) and try it first. This way you will be able to make sure you like how it looks before doing the entire chair.

Hi Glenda, here's a video which you may have already seen since you mention you've read posts about painting upholstery. I would think if the fabric is worn enough to have pills it would be an excellent idea to shave or cut themm away as much as possible before painiting. Hope this video helps you.......

https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/paint-upholstery-fabric-chair/

I hope this helps.

https://adelightsomelife.com/an-easy-how-to-paint-upholstery-fabric-tutorial/

I’m not sure you’ll be happy with it. It won’t likely be soft enough to feel nice to sit on.

It sounds like it would be really hard to get the paint into the texture properly.

I think this would be a difficult project to consider, much like artist canvas -smooth fabrics accept and hold paint very well.

Where as coarser nubby textured fabrics would have a difficult time feeling all the cells in the weave—- as well as the top texture. I am not sure this is a project I would consider, have you thought about a slipcover?

I don't think I would. It will become all hard and would be uncomfortable to sit on.

Annie Sloan makes a good product for painting chairs, you might want to contact them and ask if their paint would work on your project.

www.anniesloan.com