Could I Paint a Louis 16th Chair's Fabric?

Question

I have a chair just like this one below...a louis 16th repro chair in a toile/heavy upholstery fabric but with a cheesier print on it. I wanted to re-upholster it but probably wouldnt do a good job and the chair isn't valuable enough to take to an upholsterer (its from JC Penny)...so just for fun I wonder if I painted it black with fabric paint would it work? It would have to be opaque to cover the design but would that cause cracking or peeling? Its ok if the texture comes through, and I know it would look kind of weird and/or edgy so dont worry about warning me about that, I just wonder how the paint or dye would hold up...also if you have experimented with success feel free to mention brands of paint etc. here's the link

http://www.euroluxantiques.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/1-68-0.jpg

Answer 1

paint would crack or peel, this sort of chair cover is easy to do, take out all those tacks, then use the present covers to make the pattern shape for the new ones. then you just fold the edges in and tack it back on. it is handy to have an extra person to help hold it in place while you tack it. the seat will need just a bit of pressure and pulling to make it neat, since its more padded than the back. it really wouldnt be a hard job.

Answer 2

I'm not so sure you could get the paint thick enough to cover the design. You can try and then if it doesn't work, maybe you could get some fabric and cut it into random pieces, and then glue it on like a collage. It would be a little bumpy but probably still comfy to sit on, and have an interesting texture, even if you use a plain black fabric.

Answer 3

If you would go to the trouble to paint it, you just might as well just take the extra time and expense to get new fabric and recover it- it would look cleaner and much more professional. Follow Starwood's tips.