Reupholster a Very Old Footstool

You have to treat a little antique footstool just like an old person, gentleness and kindness.
It turns out, after a little local research, this stool belonged to a prominent Indianapolis physician in the early 1920's and it cost $5.00 to make.  A little TLC updated, refreshed and turned this old, tattered stool into a sparkling  gem. Notice the snazzy flat welt cord made out of fabric, adhesive and cardboard tack strip. If you'd like this little stool for your home, you can buy it right here at my etsy shop, FliptStudio.

This covering is just too threadbare to try to salvage.

Carefully remove the tacks and unhook the old fabric. Be careful not to damage the wood.

Use some sandpaper to clean up the legs and base.

Gently rub a little wood stain on the legs and base coating all scratched, sanded and dinged up wood. Let dry for 30 minutes and then wipe off with a clean cloth.

As long as the old padding is not smelly and musty, just add a fresh layer of cotton batting to the top of your stool, gradually pulling off the excess cotton as you near the edge.

Begin on one side stapling the fabric and move to the opposite sides, pulling fabric tautly and staple in place, smoothing as you staple.

Make sure the fabric is stapled on with your  desired pattern placement.

Using a sharp razor knife, cut off the excess fabric that hangs beyond the staples.

Use small, sharp scissors and cut off loose threads around the edge.

Cut enough 1 1/2" strips of fabric to go around the circumference of the stool. Stitch ends together on a diagonal. Clip the excess seam allowance and place wrong side up on a flat surface.

Gather cardboard tack strip, spray adhesive, and sharp scissors to make the flat welt.

Spray the adhesive on the fabric strips and wrap the fabric around the cardboard tack strip.

After tack strips are covered, trim off excess fabric for a clean edge.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the flat welting.

Carefully work the two ends so that they overlap each other. Hot glue the ends in place.

You can tell this is OLD by checking out the under side.

Wow! This little, colorful stool is fresh and clean.