i have an old rocking chair that is a little worn?

Question

the rocker is roughly 80 years old was used to rock my daddy when he was a baby rocked me and my sisters rocked my first two children but the stuffing has gone flat and it isn't comfortable to sit in any more i want to redo it with out ruining it any suggestions?

the outer frame is wood the back and seat are padded i think when i was little there where brass looking taxs on it now there a little black metal things holding down the cloth

i don't have a good camera but i found a simlar chair on the net only two diffrance between my chair and the red one in this pic is mine has higher arms and the cloth is a grey speckeled thick cotton

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigpinkhouse/86032868/

Answer 1

Well, you havent given us much detail on the rocker itself...

Is this a wood rocker with a padded seat? or a completely upholstered rocker?

If this is just a padded seat, you can probably fix it yourself. New foam/padding can be purchased at most craft stores, hobby stores, sewing supply stores, etc... These padded seats are usually fastened from underneath, but a few of the older pieces have the 'brad head' trim (also called furniture tack) running around the edge. Places like Rockler.com have new trim for this application, and its easy to install.

If this is a completely upholstered piece... then you can make a new foam seat, and upholster the pad (think zippered pillow case, and you get the idea).. and can cover the entire thing with a 'throw cover'. In this case, the pad is just placed over the existing seat, adding more comfort, and the cover gives new life to an old worn piece of furniture -- and is fairly inexpensive to do.

If you want the actual upholstering to be reworked, then I would suggest that you take it to a furniture repair shop.... this is a little more involved than most folks are equipped to do. Those of us who make/repair furniture have tools and access to supplies that the average consumer does not.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Take it to an upholsterer. No one who used the chair previously would want you to sit in something that is uncomfortable! An upholsterer will carefully undo the stitching, replace the worn raw cotton fill with something more useful and comfortable, and stitch it back together professionally. Cost to you, about $30.