Kitchen Stools: Revisited and Revised

I got the stools done, and just love how they turned out!

I first refreshed this trio 3 years ago, HERE. Time flies when you're having fun, and these stools got daily wear and tear; meals, homework, hanging out with friends and family, they're apart of our daily routine. I love to sit on the taller one, with my feet propped up on one of the lower one's steps...oh so comfy.

The green paisley fabric was dirty and threadbare, so some new duds were definitely needed. I decided on an aqua, thickly woven, linen-type that I had purchased years ago for a tablecloth for my parents anniversary. It closely matched the color of her bridesmaids 60's era satin dresses. I was ready for a plainer fabric, but needed a little pizazz, and decided some trims could be fun. Here's my process:

Mr. Fix-it unsnapped and unscrewed the upholstery parts from the other parts, warning me that the little tabs would not let me do this too many more times (it has been 3 years since I've done this).

Since the last time, I've learned that carpet pad gives the seat and back longer lasting structure than batting, and still keeps the flatter look that's consistent with these stools. I traced around the pieces with a sharpie and cut them out. Next I cut fabric with enough margin to wrap around the edge, and started playing with trims.

I then pressed the fabric and trims and pinned them in place.

Then it was time for the hot-temp glue gun. Placing the good side of the fabric down with the padding next, and then the metal seat, I hot glue the sides first, making sure I've got everything pulled nice and taught and straight. With stapled seats I do the corners first, but somehow it seemed safer to start with the long edges first.

I then glued the corners, and finished up the sides. I trimmed any extra fabric, so there wouldn't be bunching when attached back to the seat.

For the stool back pieces, I placed my hot glue on the metal edge, and pressed the fabric into place before pulling it around to the back. Because it's a curved piece, this seemed to alleviate the pouching of the fabric in the middle (if I'm not making any sense, it's a live and learn thing).

Voila! No, seriously it was a whole day project, mostly because I wanted to sew the trims on quite securely, so they wouldn't catch on people's jeans pockets. Mr. Fix-it attached them back together, and despite the fact that a couple tabs are missing, they are perfect!