I am needing to reupholster my dining chairs, and I found some fabric that I really love. It is woven cotton (quilting weight). Can it be used for the dining chairs if I use a protective treatment on it to protect it?
Quilting fabric is not meant to use for upholstery purposes as it will not resist the constant wear and will stain easily, shortening it's life span quite a bit. However, if you really love the fabric, you most certainly can use a heavier gauge clear plastic vinyl over the quilting fabric for a long life and wipe clean feature. I used vinyl on my kitchen chairs and quite frankly, it lasted so long that I actually tired of the fabric and it was in like new condition when I redecorated. Even if you change your mind and use upholstery fabric, you really do not need much fabric. Home Decorating fabric is 54 wide. You will need 2/3 of a yard/24 of fabric for every two chairs. A 54w , 24l piece of fabric cut in half will net you two 27x 24 chair tops. So, you will only need 1 1/3 yards per every four chairs, believe it or not. So, it is affordable. If you get on the JoAnn Fabric mailing list or e-mail list, you get a 40% off coupon you can use in store or on line.
100% cotton is not a great fabric for upholstery, upholstery fabric is much thicker and tested for durability. Cotton will also absorb a lot of dirt dust and is hard to spot clean. Treating it may temporarily make it more durable.
