Yesterday, I showed you how to repair and stain an antique rocking chair.
Today, I’m going to show you how to reupholster rocking chair.
![101_0034[3]](https://i1.wp.com/lh3.ggpht.com/-jXqfPe7JnTY/TlGM0g2bGFI/AAAAAAAAOco/l0qV1sGreX4/s1600-h/101_0034%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0034[3]")
I used the seat to make a pattern to cut the foam.
![101_0038[3]](https://i1.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-K0dDaQeEh1c/TlGM1xO4xII/AAAAAAAAOcw/PYh-CB_4XJg/s1600-h/101_0038%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0038[3]")
Using a serrated knife is really the only way to cut foam. (a lot of people used electric knives, but I don’t own one)
![101_0042[3]](https://i0.wp.com/lh6.ggpht.com/-3pFYyrEU8mY/TlGM2i3CJcI/AAAAAAAAOc4/JgwqV8afgcg/s1600-h/101_0042%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0042[3]")
![101_0045[3]](https://i1.wp.com/lh6.ggpht.com/-vlUUbV0mj5s/TlGM3-sJI-I/AAAAAAAAOdA/7xJkaXuCdto/s1600-h/101_0045%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0045[3]")
![101_0050[3]](https://i0.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-Y-qtj7Gvi68/TlGM6E5zbpI/AAAAAAAAOdI/N6KBk-XSRtM/s1600-h/101_0050%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0050[3]")
This is where it gets a little funny. Jan and I both thought the front board should be covered up because it was in such bad shape.
![101_0055[3]](https://i2.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-x989xqPALmI/TlGM7ZxudII/AAAAAAAAOdQ/D45s6JdWnRY/s1600-h/101_0055%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "101_0055[3]")
I sent Jan these photos to see which way she’d prefer the front board to be covered.
![100_9183[3]](https://i1.wp.com/lh6.ggpht.com/-BlSI2C7ePec/TlGM8UZnFmI/AAAAAAAAOdY/i9zmAbgFl_I/s1600-h/100_9183%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "100_9183[3]")
We both agreed that it would look better to cover the skirt individually and then the cushion separate. You can see some cotton batting in the left corner. I don’t have pictures, but I put the cotton batting over the foam cushion.
![100_9184[3]](https://i0.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-W0hektaFZVg/TlGM9Z6mmfI/AAAAAAAAOdg/cw99hkqH3Do/s1600-h/100_9184%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "100_9184[3]")
This chair is huge, and it about whooped my behind! I was so sore from crawling around the living room floor.
![100_9185[3]](https://i1.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-VgVOrXA2Llk/TlGM_VQ6_fI/AAAAAAAAOdo/lqw6h1W_eg8/s1600-h/100_9185%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "100_9185[3]")
![100_9186[3]](https://i2.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-lLFuAo772Vk/TlGNASzmBtI/AAAAAAAAOdw/TBYaCSxfRMM/s1600-h/100_9186%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "100_9186[3]")
I pulled and tugged on that leather so much. I don’t have any “in progress” pictures. If you’ve ever battled with something like this before, you know that you get so caught up in the “fight” that you forget to pick up your camera till it’s almost over.
Not pictured – To attach the seat to the skirt, I used 4 “L” brackets, one on each of the four sides.
![100_9376[3]](https://i0.wp.com/lh6.ggpht.com/-FJfIs_JS8uQ/TlGNBm4eBPI/AAAAAAAAOd4/8h1sC1b65eM/s1600-h/100_9376%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?ssl=1 "100_9376[3]")
This chair is so large and wide that it was nearly impossible for me to move it around by myself. It’s so wide, that it wouldn’t fit through the bedroom door without turning it over on it’s side. Jan and her husband really love their new chair.
EDITED TO ADD: (Jan’s comment from below)
Hubby loves, loves, loves this chair. A little story about the leather. Hubby had bought it to reupholster a Dukes of Hazard car he had purchased 25 years ago. Unfortunately, the car was stolen last year and all hubby had left of it was this leather.
So this rocker really means a lot to him.
gail
C says
March 20, 2013 at 2:14 amYou did it again! Looks awesome 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
August 31, 2011 at 12:29 amthat looks to me kind of like an intimidating project, but you make it look so easy!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
August 31, 2011 at 12:29 amthat looks to me kind of like an intimidating project, but you make it look so easy!
Full Circle Creations says
August 26, 2011 at 2:00 pmLove it!
Holly
Full Circle Creations says
August 26, 2011 at 2:00 pmLove it!
Holly
Emmabearscloset says
August 25, 2011 at 3:47 pmI KNOW THIS IS OFF THE SUBJECT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN…I HAVE SOME LEFT OVER DRAWER FRONTS..WHAT CAN I DO WITH THEM? ITS JUST THE FACES OF THE DRAWER..THE REST OF THE DRAWER AND I JUST COULDNT THROW THEM AWAY
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
August 23, 2011 at 10:13 pmso cool! great job! Boo for stolen cars!
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
August 23, 2011 at 9:05 pmWow! What a great looking chair! I love the leather, and the way you recovered it looks so good~very professional.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot says
August 23, 2011 at 6:14 pmA massive chair like this deserves nothing but leather.
I LOVE it! …great job, Gail!
Pat
Cousin B says
August 23, 2011 at 4:52 pmI LOVE this chair! When I saw it, it reminded me of one I use to have and gave away because I was redecorating….Ugh! Now, I’m ready for it again! You did a fantastic job, and thanks for sharing the part abut hubbies car. That makes it even more special.
Good Time Charlie says
August 23, 2011 at 3:40 pmAwesome! Thanks for the great tips. Martha’s got nothing on you! Thanks for sharing. -K
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says
August 23, 2011 at 2:40 pmIt turned out beautifully. I hate cutting foam, it gives me the chills. I use an electric knife and grin and bear it.
Sandi @ The Primitive Skate says
August 23, 2011 at 2:29 pmAmazing transformation! You did an awesome job, Gail! Glad they like the chair.
I Play Outside The Box says
August 23, 2011 at 2:28 pmThat turned out beautiful Gail…wish it was mine. Ü
Korrie@RedHenHome says
August 23, 2011 at 1:17 pmI’m so glad they love the chair, especially the husband! Mostly husbands don’t get too excited about furniture 😉
Terri says
August 23, 2011 at 12:47 pmThat color leather compliments the stain beautifully…the rocker turned out GREAT!
I know what you mean about that whole “recovering” business…you pull and tug so many ways…a person could definitely use at least one more hand during this process!
Hilarious story about the leather…well, it was funny to us, but probably not to him, lol!
Proper Prim says
August 23, 2011 at 12:40 pmGail you did an amazing job on that chair. I have the perfect spot for that in my living room…lol
Hope you are having a great day.
Hugs, Deb
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic says
August 23, 2011 at 11:47 amIt came out great! Leather must have been tough to work with, but the end result is soooo nice.
I love your solution to covering the broken up front piece. Very clever.
Jan says
August 23, 2011 at 11:42 amHubby loves, loves, loves this chair. A little story about the leather. Hubby had bought it to reupholster a Dukes of Hazard car he had purchased 25 years ago. Unfortunately, the car was stolen last year and all hubby had left of it was this leather.
So this rocker really means a lot to him.
Sue says
August 23, 2011 at 10:59 amAwesome make-over Gail! I once recovered our old dining room chairs in faux leather, even if it’s better to clean, I would use fabric the next time (I hate sticking to chairs in the summer ;o)).
Have a great day, looks like we will have another cool one with rain.
Sue
Susan says
August 23, 2011 at 10:50 amThe chair looks amazing!
Sewandthecity says
August 23, 2011 at 9:22 amOh you are so clever! The chair looks fabulous!
Amanda says
August 23, 2011 at 8:45 amThe chair looks fantastic, can hardly believe its the same one! Fantastic job
Toqua's Crafts says
August 23, 2011 at 7:45 amThe seat looks WONDERFUL Gail!
Seeing your recover reminded me that my grandmother’s chair had dark brown leather on it. Funny how different things remind of things from our past.
Have a GREAT day!