How to Gather Vinyl to Put Around a Bar Stool Seat

Vinyl bar stools last a long time and are comfortable.

Vinyl bar stools were popular in the diner style of the 1940s and '50s. The bar stool of that era was round with chrome supports and accents. This style of stool is regaining popularity, and many people are recovering older bar stools to repair or replace the old vinyl. One difficulty in working with vinyl is that every sewing puncture shows, so gathering the fabric can pose problems. There are techniques that help make creating nice-looking vinyl bar stools easier.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Pattern
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Fabric tape
• Needle and thread
• Staple gun
• Hair dryer

Instructions

1. Separate the sections on the existing seat cover using a seam ripper. Most bar stool seats are round on top with flat sides.

2. Flatten out the pieces with your hands. Place the round section over your upholstery vinyl and cut out the shape. Place the side section on the vinyl. Cut the vinyl the same length, but add two inches to the width.

3. Position the side section face side up on the table. Cut fabric tape the same length. Align the tape with the bottom edge of the side section.

4. Fold the side section in half, face sides together, so that the short ends line up. Sew a double-seam 1/2-inch seam allowance. Fold the allowance to one side. Turn the vinyl right sides out. Sew two parallel top-stitch seams 1/8 inch from the seam and 3/8 inch from the seam sewing through the allowance on the inside. Turn the vinyl inside out.

5. Cut V notches 1/4-inch deep spaced every inch along the outside of the round top cover. Place the top cover right side up. Position the top of the side cover face side together so that the rough edges align. Sew a seam using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Spread the seam open on the inside, and sew two parallel seams 1/4 inch from the seam through the seam allowance and cover fabric on each side of the seam.

6. Hand-sew a wide basting stitch through the fabric tape with each stitch 1/4 inch in size. Turn the cover right side out and pull it down over the seat so that it is snug and the seam is toward the back. Turn the seat over and pull and slide your basting threads to create a gather. Adjust the gather with your fingers so that it is evenly spread out. Staple the vinyl to the wood underside of the chair with a staple gun. Staple through the fabric every half inch.

7. Turn the seat over. Plug in a hair dryer and set it to its low setting. Move the hair dryer along the sides of the vinyl seat 12 inches from the vinyl. The vinyl should tighten and shrink. You want it just tight enough to look smooth on all sides.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add welting between the top and side covers for a dressed-up appearance.

References

• Merchant Circle: How to Upholster a Curved Back Barstool; Mellisa Paolucci