How do I make and attach cushions to these chairs?

Hello Martha! You can add some foam to the seat of these chairs and then cut material about 3-4 inches larger than the shape of the seat. You use a staple gun to attach the material underneath the seat. You could cut a piece of wood the same shape as the seat and do your upholstery as shown in this link and attach it from underneath the seat. That would require drilling holes or screwing into and through this seat as it is right now. I don't think I would want to do that. These are beautiful old chairs that you got for a GREAT price. The easiest thing you could do is to buy pads and tie them to the back or have someone make them for you if you are not a sewer.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-reupholster-a-chair

You can glue foam to the seat and then cover with fabric, stapling it under the seat. I wouldn't paint them, either. That wood is gorgeous!

Martha: maybe this will help

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/fabric-paper-projects/diy-chair-upholstery-guide/

I would leave the wood for a few reasons: the back is such an interesting wood that it gives them character, you said they are in pretty good shape, and you can always paint later but if you want to go back from paint, that is a pain.

As for the seat cushions, you could make a form out of cardboard and add cushion and material to that. Leave it draping on the sides and then glue the cardboard down to the existing wood. Then either staple or use upholstery tacks/brads/nails to attach the material to the underside of the seat. If they edge of the seat is thick enough, you could use the decorative tacks and go all the way around the sides but that would be a lot of tacks. Maybe just go from the bent back supports, one side to the other.

The wood is beautiful. If you like the artsy embellished look, you could look at removable decals. They look handprinted and can be removed if you don't love them. Amazon has tons and Etsy too.

I agree with above. Cut foam the same size as the seats and then staple fabric over it. Definitely no sew!

Create a base out of plywood and upholster the top with foam and fabric. Then attach the plywood cushion from underneath with screws.

Hello Martha,

Draw the chair shape or cut the chair seat shape from a piece of brown paper or Newspaper. Use that for a pattern for cushion. Before cutting add seam allowance all around. Cut 2 of these for every cushion.. Sew them together, leaving room to place foam inside (at the back) and then whilst sewing in the back ass 2 x ties each side to fasten around the chair back upright poles to secure That's the simplest way I know! Hope it helps..

Martha

See if this helps you out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4lFEM3Y53A

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/52002570669397412/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Ibvcw94_Avg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuU_XWFworE

https://www.wikihow.com/Reupholster-a-Dining-Chair-Seat

Hi Martha, here is a video that shows an easy way to add padded upholstery to your chairs, hope it helps you out,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oyaon5IpkM

Depending on the exact diameter of your chair seat you might be able to use a barstool cushion and glue gun into place.

You can cut foam to the shape of the chair, lay fabric over the top of the foam and staple it underneath.

This post shows how to upholster a chair: https://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/how-to-upholster-dining-room-chairs-tutorial-and-a-sneak-peak-at-my-dining-room

In order to have the fabric remain in place after being 'stapled to the bottom of the chair' as others have suggested, first the legs and the bentwood struts will need to be completely taken apart off the bottom of the chair.

It is only if the chair seat is completely isolated away from the rest of the chair that you will be able wrap the fabric over the foam and sample it on to the bottom of the seat with any durability and attractiveness without having the loose ends fray.

Best to purchase pre-assembled round chair pads, or have someone who knows how to sew make covers for the foam first before putting on the seats.

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