https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/in-with-the-new-and-out-with-the-old-recovering-a-footstool • Posted by zoë
I've only been wanting to do this in the last 3-4 years since I got the foot stool. But getting the motivation..... Besides that point, it was easy. I mean, really . SO here we go:
I've only been wanting to do this in the last 3-4 years since I got the foot stool. But getting the motivation..... Besides that point, it was easy. I mean, really . SO here we go:
First off, get your new fabric and open up your foot stool. You should have a hinge where it's attached.
Start unscrewing just the top half. No need to do the whole hinge. You're only recovering the top. Once you've got that off use your pliers, or at least start with the flat head screwdriver to pull up the old staples that are keeping the old fabric on. MOST are stapled on, perhaps a little glue. But if you have staples, fantastic, rip em out.
Then I layed out the old fabric and copied the pattern they had. Basically, with the cushion on the new fabric, measure about 2" out around the cushion and then cut.
For the corners I measured a 2" square to cut out, which will make it a little easier to fold over.
Now I centered the cushion on my new fabric and starting with the center of the bottom side, I folded over and stapled it down. I started with the bottom and stapled in the middle. Then pulling across did the same on the other side, stapling in the middle. Moved on to the sides, stapled in the middle on one side and then the other. This way I know that it will be fairly tight and even. After that just staple out along the edges, pulling a bit as I went. But I would do one end, and then go across and do the other. Rather than around.
You should end up with something like this.
Just so you know, when I got to the corners, I folded the sides over and and stapled diagonally.
Now put the top back on. For a few of them, I really had to poke through the fabric. So if you've used thick fabric I would suggest punching it through with a thick needle or awl (if you have one) before screwing the screws back in. It would make it just a little bit easier. Once you've done that, close your footstool and marvel at the glory of new.
Now granted it's pretty, though I may never wear shoes while using it, but at least now I know I can always recover it if it starts looking scrubby.