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The batting and cushion should be right up against the fabric. Try to place the seat so that it is about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the edges of the fabric, but don’t worry about getting it perfect. You can adjust it before you start cutting. You may want to opt for a dark fabric to make stains less visible, or get a water-resistant fabric to protect your chair from spills. You will need this much fabric all the way around the cushion to cover it. Measure or find where to cut by wrapping the edges of the fabric up and over the seat edges. Then, mark the fabric and cut it. Grasp the fabric on 1 side of the seat and pull it up and over the edge of the seat. Locate the center of the seat edge, and place a staple in the center of the edge to secure the fabric.  Repeat this for the other 3 sides of the seat. If the seat is round, then staple the upholstery to the underside of the seat in 4 equidistant locations, such as at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock. Choose 1 side of the seat to work on first. Grasp the fabric on the inside of the seat next to where you placed the first staple. Then, start stapling along the edge going out towards the corner of the seat, and then do the other side of the staple. However, do not staple the fabric at the corners of the seat yet. Repeat this on all sides of the seat. Once the fabric is secured along the sides, choose a corner and fold the fabric over at the corner to gather it. Then, fold the fabric again, and staple the fabric a couple of times at the center of the fold to hold it in place. Repeat this for all of the corners. Once the fabric is secured at the corners, cut the fabric on the inside of the chair back 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the staples. This will prevent the excess fabric from hanging down. Be careful not to cut the fabric too close to the staples or it may come loose. To finish the seat, cut a piece of dust cover fabric to the same dimensions as the seat. You can place the fabric over the back of the seat and cut along the edges. Be careful not to cut the upholstery fabric as you cut out the dust cover fabric. Fold the dust cover fabric on 1 side of the chair and staple it into place. Staple the center of 1 side of the fabric first and then work out towards the edge. Repeat this all the way around the edges of the chair to secure the dust cover. Once you have finished securing the fabric, your reupholstered dining chair is complete! Use the screws that you saved to reattach the chair to its base. If you have other chairs to reupholster, repeat the process for each of these chairs.

Summary:
Place the cushion on the fabric with the right (outer) side facing down. Cut the fabric 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the edges of the cushion. Staple the upholstery in the center of each of the 4 sides of the seat. Pull and staple the fabric working out towards the corner. Fold the fabric at the corners and staple in the center of the fold. Cut the excess fabric 1 in (2.5 cm) from the staples on each side. Cut the dust cover fabric to the same dimensions as the seat. Fold the dust cover fabric under and staple the edges to the seat. Reattach the seat to the chair base.