AI6YR BenSnagged a random possible chair restoration project (free) down the block. Tough one, no existing cushions. But I still have foam and vinyl for a chair or two here. #furniturerestoration
This apparently was the last owner's only photo before he had torn them apart. #furniture
Google says these are either Chiswell dining chairs, Finn Juhl dining chairs, Mid Century Matchstick, or similar. #furniture
Closest match is a Finn Juhl dining chair. But, unclear if this is the original or what. This one is definitely appropriate era, but not leather. Also unmarked. Could be something of similar era/styling, I am not a furniture person. Will be a challenge for me as there is no cushion and no fabric to copy. #furniture #restoration
Teak? Oak? I have leftover vinyl from reupholstering a lounge, so using that. I don't have appropriate foam, the stuff I have is too thick. Not sure how many inches and how firm the cushion should be, though. #furniture #restoration
(Google AI: sorry, WRONG!) Also, wish you could just set reverse image search to NOT run the stuff through "make whatever s***t up LLM". It now also mostly tries to match images against "stuff for sale", which is pretty useless for this kind of thing.
Anyway, bottom cushions are 18x17 each, top cushions are 11x17 each... so need 56 inches x 17 inches of foam. Not sure if I need "soft" or "medium" for a chair. Will be about $45 from Sailrite for high density indoor cushion foam. I am going to say "soft" as the "medium" I bought for the last chair was actually kinda hard vs. the original. #furniturerestoration #furniture
Sigh, the most convenient and cheapest foam is Uncle Bezos Depot. The only upholstery/foam people here close by are people who do upholstery, no supply shops. (it's cheaper to order from the Bezos Billionaire Machine than to drive to a store far away).
Bill@ai6yr We ran into that too. JoAnn's was the last stop for stuff like that and now they are gone. I live in a pretty big city, and ... nada.
April
Shirley Eugest@ai6yr
No! Micheal's, Home Depot and lot's of other stores are closer.
It looks like Micheal's stepped up to a few upholstery items to cover the void left by Joann's.
Many better choices than Uncle Bezo's slop emporium.
Sarah E Bourne@ai6yr This may sound crazy, but look at marine neoprene. I was able to get 1/2" for a lot less than the stuff sold as "upholstery foam". I used it to make pads for my porch chairs and it's really comfy.
bjb 
There are mattress manufacturing companies locally, if you have local ones maybe you can get supplies from them.
Years and years ago, I had a mattress made for my futon base, it was alternating cotton batting and foam layers, 1" each layer.
Maybe you can get what they would regard as scraps .
LAUREN
CassandraVertDid you forget to tell us something?
Malaboo@ai6yr We used to find furniture foam at our local military outlet store. Doesn’t exist anymore but maybe there’s still one in your area?
Also you can trim foam thickness or other dimension with an electric turkey carver. (Not making it up).
Looks like a great project!
@ai6yr
The density of the foam matters more than the firmness. Medium is adequate for dining room chairs, where you may sit for an hour or so. If you use these chairs all day, you want something that won't pancake after a day.
I know there are upholstery supply shops in your county. Auto, Marine, and home.
The density of the foam matters more than the firmness. Medium is adequate for dining room chairs, where you may sit for an hour or so. If you use these chairs all day, you want something that won't pancake after a day.
I know there are upholstery supply shops in your county. Auto, Marine, and home.
Terence
Cat West
Kinene⭐🐻
Jaakko Niemi@ai6yr Never underestimate the thickness of Birch and it's likings. My grandfather made his business building furniture from it (look for "Juvako" branded stuff).
April’s Fool@ai6yr you can consider quilting batting in lieu of foam as well.
@ai6yr
1-1½" foam is fine thickness for dining chairs. Or you could go old school and use felted cotton batting.
The pattern is easy. Use that bottom support and cut padding 1" larger all around so you dont feel the hard edge of the support.
For the covering fabric, add the thickness of the pad and about 3" all around for when you wrap and staple the fabric to the support.
Remember to enlist a buddy or child for the extra hands. One to pull the fabric with pliers, one to weild the staple gun.
The brighter coloration around the edges is probably where the fabric wrap covered the wood, and kept it less oxidized and dried out. Look for staple holes.
@EugestShirley Thanks!