How do I refurbish a footstool handmade by my grandfather?

Question

Back when my grandfather was alive he made a footstool. I remember this footstool being my seat of choice when we were visiting (maybe once a year). After he passed it made it's way into my home. It needs some help, the legs are coming off and the fabric is in tatters. I'd love to rework it so it will be useable again, but how do I do that and it still by the footstool my Grandpa made?

Answer 1

I did this with my Grandmothers sewing footstool. (it holds sewing supplies in the seat) But it lost the quality I loved it for.

It sounds like you need new brackets or screws or bolts to hold the legs in place. The top could then be reupholstered.

Answer 2

How adventurous are you? It's hard to tell you what to do without seeing the stool, but you indicate that it's at least partly upholstered, so here's what I found worked for me the first project I did of that type. Get out pen and paper, and start taking the whole thing apart. Chances are, whatever is easiest to remove (without tearing or breaking anything) is the thing that was applied last, so it's important to take careful notes and make diagrams as you go so you'll be able to follow these directions backwards when you put it back together. Don't throw anything away yet! When you have it disassembled, you can lay out the old fabric to make a pattern or at least see exactly how much new fabric you need. Same goes for trim and/or padding. You can find most anything you'll need at a local fabric store or upholstery shop. While you have it apart you can clean, sand and/or refinish any visible wood pieces and use wood glue to put the legs on better or replace any nails or screws that are involved. This kind of project can be so rewarding because of your emotional attachment and the memories you have, so you might consider getting a fabric similar to the original. Even if you completely change it or just add your own touches, it won't diminish your emotional investment. Chances are, you'll have a whole new set of memories years from now because you took the time to renew such a precious item.

Answer 3

I love to have pieces passed down in thrae family. I just recovered a small stool and it came out beautiful. I went to a fabric store and bought a beautiful fabric that was a nice quality. I bought 2 yards for this stool and I didn't even need that much but I thought I might cut it wrong, so I'd cover myself. You look for the screws that hold it together. Take out the screws, wrap the cushion like a present. Use a heavy duty stapler to staple down the fabric. I also bought some trim and I hand stitched it around the edge of the cushion. If the legs aren't the color you want, go buy a pint of paint. You can paint to match the fabric or paint black. You can also go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy new legs. You attach the seat to the legs and you'll have a new footstool. I also think it's nice to attach a note underneath the stool telling about where it came from, it's age and story.

Answer 4

If it is stained and finished wood, you can use a product called Howard's Refinisher which doesn't strip the wood, just rejuvenates it. Glue the legs back on. Gorilla Glue does a great job. You can reupholster over the original fabric to retain his orignal materials, while making it usable for you. Sometimes you can even find a similar fabric to the original. Good luck and happy memories!

Answer 5

If it means a lot to you, as it sounds like, I would suggest you get it done professionally.
Pay the money in case you botch it beyond repair