How to Sew Replacement Slings for Patio Chairs
Sling chairs can be wonderfully comfortable to sit in and long-lasting. However, it is not uncommon for the fabric on sling chairs to wear out long before the frame does. Fortunately, you can replace the fabric portion of a sling chair.
Many companies make replacement slings, but sometimes the satisfaction of having done it yourself is worth the effort.
Things You Will Need
- Cloth measuring tape
- Replacement outdoor fabric
- New sling splines (also known as rods)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Heavy-duty thread
- Iron
Tip
If you are replacing fabric on more than one chair, measure each chair because the sling rails will shift over time.
Warning
Do not use Sunbrella™ fabric for sling chairs because it stretches out of shape.
Reusing spline rods is not recommended because they can become brittle over time and might break while attempting to re-insert the sling into the frame.
Measuring Replacement Fabric
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Measure the length of your chair. Measure from the top of one sling rail to the bottom.
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Measure the width of your chair. Measure the chair width at three different spots where the bolts and spreader bars are attached. Measure from center of the sling rail to center of the opposite sling rail. Average these three measurements and round up to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. This is your width measurement.
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Determine the amount of fabric you will need based on this measurement.
Ordering New Splines
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Take the length measurement from your chair.
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Add 3 inches to 4 inches to this measurement.
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Double the overall measurement so that you will have enough spline for each side of the sling.
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Contact a sling chair repair company and order a sling spline. It typically is sold by the foot.
Making Your New Sling
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Add 1 inch to your length and width measurements.
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Mark your measurements on the fabric.
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Cut your fabric.
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At both ends of the newly cut piece, fold the width of the fabric over 1/4 inch, twice, making a rolled hem.
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Topstitch the rolled hem and iron it flat.
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Take a spline and lay it on the lengthwise edge of the fabric, leaving 1 inch to 2 inches of spline hanging over either end. Fold the fabric 1/4 inch over the spline.
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Using the zipper foot on the sewing machine, stitch down the length of the fabric, encasing the spline inside the hem. Alternatively, you can pin the spline at either end of the fabric, remove the spline, stitch down the length of the fabric so that the pocket hem is the width of the spline, and then thread the spline through the pocket hem you have just made.
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Reassemble your sling chair according to manufacturer's directions.
The Drip Cap
- Sling chairs can be wonderfully comfortable to sit in and long-lasting.
- However, it is not uncommon for the fabric on sling chairs to wear out long before the frame does.
- Measure from the top of one sling rail to the bottom.
- Take the length measurement from your chair.
- Add 1 inch to your length and width measurements.
- At both ends of the newly cut piece, fold the width of the fabric over 1/4 inch, twice, making a rolled hem.
References
Writer Bio
Tanya Brody is a professional writer and musician from Minneapolis, Minn. She was first published in 1996 and her original songs are played on the radio all over the world. Brody holds a Bachelor of Arts from Antioch College in creative writing and drama.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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