You do need to know how to sew to complete this project according to the below tutorial. But, if you don’t have a sewing machine or don’t know how to sew, don’t despair! I’ll share tips below on how to upholster a bar stool following the no-sew method.
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Bar Stool
If you are going to paint your bar stool, you’ll want to make sure it is clean, dry and free of debris. I simply used dish soap and warm water to clean the stool. Once it was completely dry, I lightly sanded the stool legs. Remember, you’re going to upholster the seat, so there’s no need to sand or paint the seat.
2. Paint The Stool
Once your stool is clean, debris-free and dry, you’re ready to paint the stool. Since you’re upholstering the seat, I recommend placing the stool seat down on your protected surface. This will make it a lot easier to paint the legs. Using spray paint in the color of your choice, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply 2-3 thin coats of paint, allowing to dry between coats.
3. Cut The Foam Seat Cushion
If you’re lucky, you can find round seat cushion foam at your favorite fabric store. For this project, I could only find a square piece of foam. To determine the size of the cushion, simply measure across the bar stool seat.
4. Sew The Cushion Cover
I made a custom cushion cover for my upholstered bar stool, complete with piping. I’m just going to give you an overview of how I sewed my cushion cover.
- Fabric Cuts:
- Cushion Cover Top: Measure across the foam and add 1” (to allow for seam allowance). So, if your seat cushion is 14” across, you’ll cut a 15” round piece of fabric.
- Cushion Cover Banding: Note: The sides of the cushion cover are called “banding” or “boxing”. To determine how much fabric to cut for the cushion banding, place the foam cushion on the bar stool seat. Measure from the top of the foam to the bottom of the wooden stool seat. Then add ½” for the seam allowance and an additional 3”. So if your cushion is 2” thick and the wood seat is 1” thick, that makes 3”. Add ½” for seam allowance and 3” for wrapping the fabric under the seat, for a total of 5-½” x the circumference of the cushion.
- Cushion Cover Piping: For the piping, cut strips on the bias that are 1-1/2″ wide by the circumference of your cushion, plus about 6″. To attach your bias strips together, cut 45-degree angles at each end, lay one strip face up and another strip down on top that is face down. Stitch 1/4″ seam.
- Sewing Instructions
- Assemble the piping first.
- Attach piping to the seat edge (right sides together).
- Attach boxing by sandwiching the seat cover (right side up), the piping and the boxing (right side down. Start sewing about 3″ from the short end of the boxing. Then when you get around to the beginning, fold the end over about 1/2″ and continue sewing.
5. Assemble The Upholstered Bar Stool Seat Cushion
- Place the foam cushion on top of the bar stool seat.
- Place the sewn seat cushion cover over the top of the foam cushion (right side up) and the bar stool.
- Tilt the bar stool upside down so that it is resting with the fabric and foam cushion on the bottom.
- Using your staple gun, pull the fabric taut and staple in place. Then pull the fabric taut directly across from where you just stapled and staple it in place. Continue around the seat, stapling in place on opposite sides until you have the cover firmly attached.
- Trim off any excess fabric.
- Use a hammer to pound in any staples that may be sticking out.
The No-Sew Method To Upholster A Bar Stool
If you’re looking for a super easy no-sew way to upholster a bar stool, I’ve got you covered (pun intended)! Simply follow steps 1-3 above and then proceed as follows:
- Once you have your bar stool clean, painted and cut out your seat cushion, you’re ready to cut out your fabric. So, measure across your seat cushion, down both sides of the cushion and seat and add 3″.
- Cut a round piece of fabric out using the measurement you just took. An easy way to make a circle is to mark the center, then move your tape measure or ruler around from the center point, making your marks as you go.
For example, if you need to cut your fabric 26″, you’ll measure out 13″ from the edge and mark your fabric. Then in a circular pattern, you’ll continue from the center point making marks around every 13″. - Place your fabric face down on a flat surface.
- Center the foam seat cushion on the wrong side of the fabric.
- Place the stool seat right on top of the foam cushion. (You’ll have a layer of fabric that is face down on the bottom, followed by the seat cushion, followed by the upside-down stool.)
- Starting at one point, pull the fabric taut and staple to the bottom of the stool seat. Go to the opposite side of the stool, pull the fabric taut and staple in place. Continue working your way around the fabric, stapling opposite sides, until the fabric is securely in place.
- Trim any excess fabric.
- Use a hammer to pound down any staples that may be protruding.
Best Counter Stool Upholstery Materials
Upholstered counter stools allow homeowners to add warmth to their home decoration through the use of different types of fabrics. Counter stools come in a variety of upholstery materials, allowing you to choose from a wide selection for your home. Before you make a choice, though, consider the type of upholstery fabric you’ll use and determine whether it is a good fit for your home. This article will help you learn about the best counter stool upholstery materials.
Best Materials for Counter Stools:
Vinyl
Vinyl is the most durable of the upholstery fabrics. Vinyl has a similar appearance to leather but is often more slick and shiny. The fabric itself is also thinner. Vinyl counter stools can be purchased in almost every color and are also available in an assortment of prints and designs, making it a simple matter to match any decor. Vinyl resists stains, is hard to rip or tear, doesn’t fade and is waterproof. It is cleaned easily with a single wipe by a damp rag. For long-term durability and ease of cleaning, you cannot go wrong choosing vinyl for your upholstered counter stools. You get material that lasts as well as your choice of color and pattern.
Leather
Although leather was once a costly upholstery material, lately it has become more affordable for most homeowners. Leather resists tears and rips and doesn’t puncture easily. Because leather breathes, it maintains a mild temperature in extreme cold and heat. Leather is stain-resistant and easy to clean. Leather counter stools come in a variety of colors so that you can easily choose one that blends with your room’s decoration. Leather counter stools will give your home a comfortable feel.
