Handprinted Fabrics

Sometimes finding a suitable pattern for recovering old chair seats can be a problem. One solution is to make new coverings at home with natural fiber cloth and a rubber stamp. Figure A Bold, vibrant colors work well when making covers for American Federal chairs. Figure B

Materials:

natural upholstery fabric (linen works well)
rubber stamp appropriate to the period (such as fleur de lis, urns, etc.)
stencil
brush-on fabric color
plywood or other wooden seat
staple gun
cotton batting
sponge brush
American Federal design elements

Steps:

1. Obtain a piece of natural upholstery fabric that is large enough to cover the chair seat.
   
   
2. Paint the rubber stamp that has been chosen with fabric color (figure A), and press onto the fabric (or use a stencil). Do not rock the stamp, or the edges of the print will blur.
   
   
3. Put the wood piece for the chair on top of the cotton batting at the preferred thickness for the seat padding.
   
   
4. Fold the batting over the chair seat and staple to the underside of the seat (figure B).
   
   
5. Repeat the stapling process with the printed linen fabric to complete the seat covering.

* Note: Before stapling, be sure to align the printed fabric so that the pattern that has been created is appropriately centered on the chair seat.