How to Weave Belts Into a Leather Chair Seat

Before replacing a chair seat with the usual cushioned seating, try making your own leather chair seat. Make a quick trip to the thrift shop to pick up used leather belts.

Any adult size leather belt will work, although the width of the belts will determine how many belts are needed. Allow a few hours work time to weave the belts into a leather chair seat for comfortable, affordable seating.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood chair
• Ratchet screwdriver
• Approx 20 leather belts
• Staple gun and 3/4" staples
• OR 3/4" upholstery tacks and tack hammer
• Awl
• Utility knife

1. 

   Begin the leather chair seat project by flipping the chair over. Use a ratchet screwdriver to loosen the screws that fasten the existing seating onto the wood chair frame.

2. 
   Weaving leather belts

   Set chair upright. Begin weaving the leather belts directly onto the top of the open chair seat frame by using the basic over and under weaving method. Alternate by row and continue weaving the belts, mixing up the styles and colors of the belts until you have the desired look for the leather chair seat.
   
   At this point, reach under and buckle the belt ends together on the belts that are long enough. Note the weight of the belts plus this buckling process will prevent the design from slipping until the belts are stapled or tacked into place.

3. 

   Flip the chair over so the bottom is facing up. Pull each belt taut before securing under the chair seat frame. Use a staple gun with 3/4" staples to secure the belts from underneath.

4. 

   Hammer the thicker belts of the leather chair seat into place using the tack hammer and the 3/4" tacks.

5. 
   Woven Belts

   Finish stapling and tacking belts to the underneath part of the chair seat frame. When finished, unbuckle all the leather belts.
   
   Begin at the bottom layer of belts in the leather chair seat. Stretch each belt as much as possible and make a new hole through the belt with the awl. Fasten belt ends together. Cut the shorter belts with the utility knife.

6. 
   Leather Chair Seat

   Set chair upright to use. Replace any leather belts in the leather chair seat as they wear in time, by weaving new belts into place and securing.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop for leather belts when the thrift shop holds their "bagful of clothing" sales. You should be able to pick up a belt anywhere from 25 cents to $1 each which is very affordable for even the smallest budget.

[vallain]

on 11/15/2009 When I think of all the leather belts that people throw out... this chair is a great craft project with belts.

[slphilbrick]

on 11/14/2009 Creative and thrifty as always ! Great project and the directions to get it right.

[Diablo2]

on 11/13/2009 Haha, i had one or two like this as a kid.

[rickmac]

on 11/13/2009 The results look really nice. Very creative.

[evascarlet]

on 11/12/2009 I am officially awarding you Creative Person of the Year Award...this is a great project!