Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/1/2008

Question
I have dining chairs with zig zag springs and the original horsehair type padding that is turning to dust.  I have taken everything off but the springs.  I am not sure what to do now in terms of padding them again

Answer
Hi Mary
Nice to hear from you.
Great project and once you do this type of thing once you will not hesitate in the future.
This happens to be the easiest of all types of upholestry jobs.
So you have stripped to the springs (great).
Next you have to place a barrier over the springs so whatever padding you use will stay put and not fall through.
Any good strong fabric will do as it does not show on the finished project, even a piece of denim is fine.
So you will place this on top of the springs and tack or staple it around the sides in such a manner that all your tacking is covered by the final material. Stretch it good and tight as you go around..see this is easy.
Next you will need some padding.
I dislike foam for this and use a cotton batting.
This is the stuff
http://www.vandykes.com/product/02404618/
You will not need this amount so go to any fabric store and you can purchase it by the yard.
You will want a couple of thicknesses but you will have to be the judge and compare it to the original.
Then your new fabric goes over that.
Good Luck and get back to me if this is not clear
Kind Regards
Eileen