Asked on Jul 10, 2015

Can this camp chair be repaired?

Zulemaya
by Zulemaya
My camp chairs have dry rotted. Anyone have a how-to replace the seating please? I have some canvas fabric I could use, but not sure if replacement is possible.
  15 answers
  • You have the template available & it looks like the grommets sections are in good shape, so if you have a good enough machine you can probably recreate a new cover
  • Pjk Pjk on Jul 10, 2015
    Put a post on your free recycle for your area (if you have one) and mention you want a camp chair or two....it will be free on your recycle and I bet there are plenty of people who would jump at the chance to donate those chairs....
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Jul 11, 2015
    Yes,it can be repaired.I believe there is a lot of nylon in the material,so you should not attempt to patch it with a hot iron.I would put a round piece of duct tape on both sides of the chair to stabilize the tear.Make sure you have at least one inch extending around the entire tear.I would look for a dense canvas material. the iron on patches would work fine just don't iron them on.Cut them in a circle on both sides again,extending them at least one inch outside the duck tape circles.Use heavy duty cotton thread and a nice large needle and sew a overhand stitch around the circle.If you use the iron patches you will not have to turn under a seam,if you use patches that are not iron on,you will need to make small cuts into both circles to turn under the seams.
  • Marla Marla on Jul 11, 2015
    Before investing in material, new grommets and wear and tear on your machine….look around for sales on new chairs. It just might be cheaper to replace.
  • Rosemarie Randolph Rosemarie Randolph on Jul 11, 2015
    Since you have some canvas, I would try to make a new seat. If the seat/back will come off the frame, I would use it for a pattern & cut 2 pieces., then place them on either side of the " pattern" piece and sew the 3 pieces together, if it won't come off the frame, make a paper pattern, rectangle shape,the size of the widest part. With pencil, sketch curved areas ,& cut 2 pieces of canvas. Turn under the edges & stitch. Next place on the chair and sew to & thru the original fabric. It could just be the lighting on the picture, however, it looks like there is wear and a tear on the right . Which is why I said. Make it bigger. Fold back, & stitch around the grommet area on the canvas pieces. If you can remove from the frame, sew it on the machine. & replace cover on 'the frame. Now, if you can't remove the cover, place the canvas, one on each side and begin hand sewing.stitch all the way around, stitch around the grommets, to keep them from tearing apart. Right now I'm struggling to keep awake. If you need better instructions send me an email & I'll reply after I get some sleep. Rosemarie
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jul 12, 2015
    What if you try to find a similar fabric and iron it on the torn seat using patches, the kid you'd sew on kids' pants- on the knees-I use them for lots of things!Just try to get a patch in a 'nude' color or a color close to the seat fabric. good luck,post the results.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Jul 12, 2015
    Was in the pharmacy today, this chair new is 7.99,not sure you want to spend that much time fixing it.
  • Zulemaya Zulemaya on Jul 22, 2015
    Thank you to all. On closer examination I see how I might be able to take it apart. If and when I complete the task, I will post.
  • Michael Swigert Michael Swigert on Aug 24, 2015
    Ya'll are missing the point about this stuff. Of course it might be easier to replace the chair. But this is an opportunity to get creative with either a patch, or a piece of replacement materieal. Isnt this what we do on here anyway? It's definitely not always about the cost of doing these things.
    • Kat Kat on Jun 25, 2020

      Just came across this thread after Googleing how to recover my old chairs,

      Was getting disheartened till I came to your comment!

      Thankyou 😊

      I'm going to have a good go and hopefully be the proud owner of some unique garden chairs I fixed up myself.


  • Margaret Wood Margaret Wood on Oct 29, 2016
    I agree with Funnygirl... some things are not worth the time and effort to repair, this is one!
  • Kris East Kris East on Aug 15, 2019

    3 years after the post...the problem with replacing, what do you do with the frame? Put it in a landfill? Yikes.

  • Kat Kat on Jun 26, 2020

    I have old folding patio chairs that are rotten, Im hoping to use an old shower curtain I have to fix them up?

    Either recover the original after patching up holes with duct tape? 🤣

    Or would I need heavier fabric and a better sewing machine and just meke new?


  • Can you patch over the area? a square of canvas on each side of the hole sewn together will work on the big hole

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Apr 18, 2021

    You could patch them up

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 06, 2021

    Hello Zulemaya,

    Yes, but you will need to remove the cover and use a large patch on both sides (Use a contrast to look a bit like a cushion). Pin and tack and then machine it in place , going around the patch a number of times to make sure it is safe.