Dining Room

Laminating Fabric

Remember this Domino spread of Barrie Benson’s dining room? I spy my beloved Chiang Mai fabric on the chairs… image courtesy of Domino via Pink Wallpaper It says in the caption that Benson vinyl-coated the Dragon fabric, which I had previously imagined meant that she just had a layer of vinyl fabric laying on top…

Remember this Domino spread of Barrie Benson’s dining room? I spy my beloved Chiang Mai fabric on the chairs…

image courtesy of Domino via Pink Wallpaper

It says in the caption that Benson vinyl-coated the Dragon fabric, which I had previously imagined meant that she just had a layer of vinyl fabric laying on top of the Schumacher. But, I bet that she actually sent the yardage off to be laminated before upholstering the chairs. Wouldn’t it be amazing to get to use (and let our kids sit on) our favorite designer fabrics on dining furniture?

I bought two cheap but cute Louis-esque kiddie-sized chairs a few months ago at Home Goods. My plan is to paint and reupholster them when we move. These will go at our kiddie table with two more mini-sized chairs (maybe the Stark Lou Lou ghost chairs?) in a nook of our new living room that’s near the kitchen. We’ll use it for crafts and snack-times, so I need these chairs to be water and stain proof.



Originally I was thinking faux ostrich (for the cleanability factor). I still like that idea, but I think a print here would be fun. I’m thinking about buying some already laminated fabric (this one’s girly and cute, and Free Spirit has an adorable line here). I’m sure it costs an arm and a leg, but maybe I could get my own fabric vinyl-coated?



images via Free Spirit

Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Any sense of cost per yard to get fabric laminated?

Join the Conversation

28 thoughts on “Laminating Fabric

  1. You can buy iron-on vinyl to do your own laminating. It is fairly inexpensive (1 think in the $10 a yard range) at places like JoAnn’s. Good luck

  2. I loved that house, I cut that article out.
    Your blog is lovely, I keep seeing it linked around the blogosphere. I am going to subscribe.
    I love the patterns you choose.

  3. That is a neat idea to be able to laminate fabric. Tell us if you find out anything. I wonder if there is a mod podge-type paint you could use to diy. That’s a shot in the dark!

  4. I do not know about the cost of getting the fabric laminated, but I think the Anna Maria Horner – Free Spirit Oilcloth runs about $19 a yard. Good luck with your recovering!

  5. I have used Custom Laminations, Inc. in New Jersey. Check their website at http://www.customlaminations.com/Cuslam_homepage/cuslam.html. It’s been a year or 2 since I used them but the price was 1 – 12 yds – a minimum charge of $99.95, 13 – 99 yds – $7.95 per/yd and 100 yds and up – $6.50 per/yd. It works great for tight upholstery, but with a loose cushion, be sure to have some air release holes, so when you sit down the air has somewhere to escape. Good luck!

  6. So funny…I was literally JUST thinking about that Domino spread…weird. I had ripped out that very same page and was just referring to it as we’re thinking about new chairs for our kitchen table/art space! BTW…love your blog…you’re on my blogroll!

  7. I love the fabrics you chose! Are there any “sunbrella” indoor/outdoor fabrics in a girly print? Seems like it might be a little sticky.uncomfy to sit on if the fabric is laminated?

  8. I think in order for this to work, the fabric needs to be as flat and the part that may pose a challenge is the curves around the edge of the chair. You may find some fabrics on line that are called “oil cloth” which can be wiped down.
    pve

  9. Such a great idea with kids! I was considering oil cloth for covering chairs (Denyse Schmidt has a great line) but, I’ve only seen oil cloth used for table cloths. Laminating fabric seems like a dream come true!

  10. Many years ago I laminated fabric and created a charming little umbrella for a little girls patio set. It was the cutest thing ever! I also made little folding chair covers to go with it and a table cloth. I’ll never forget it. It was a stressful project but came out beautifully.

    Self-laminating is the least expensive way to go but does have some challenges. You can however, purchase relatively inexpensive laminated fabric at places like JoAnne’s Fabric. Haven’t been there in years but would assume they still sell it.

    Good Luck!

    Tricia – Avolli

  11. Love your blog!
    I adore these fun projects and have tried a few of these methods-
    I have laminated a lot, but for this project, would avoid; simply b/c it irons on fairly smoothly, but with wear, sitting, etc. the air and use will cause crinkling. The home laminating material is not flexible like you hope it would be. I would go with oil cloth, although may be a bit thick and not as flexible. My choice would be to try the laminated fabrics ala Anna Maria Horner and Michael Miller – http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch.cfm?&Gnam=Laminated%20Cotton
    They would be workable like a regular fabric, but will be more flexible than traditional vinyl and hold up better in the long run. Just my two cents. Have a great time – it will be a wonderful project!

  12. OMGosh! I wonder if HomeGoods still has any of those chairs? I’m about to upgrade my 22 month old to a “big kid” table, and these (redone, of course) are a fantastic idea!

  13. okay, go look up your local large format printer place. They will print banners, billboards, etc. They will have laminators there and will be able to run your fabric thru, no problem. You will have little problems with bending, (we laminate stuff that wraps around lots of huge bends.) It will be very hard wearing, and you will most likely have options about what you will spend as they should have at least 4 different types of laminate available.

    It is a great way to go as it will be hugely durable and will ensure the fabric has les fading. Alot more accurate than iorn-on.

    im the designer at a printing place.

  14. Hi! It’s cheap. I am having some Raoul fabric laminated to upholster some unbelievable chairs that my client bought on 1stdibs. As her husband says…so, we are having very expensive custom vinyl made, right? Uh, you got it. I’ll send you pics when done. Email me for more info!

  15. There are some beautiful laminated fabrics from designers Amy Butler ( Love collection ) and Michael Miller as well. LOVE the chairs and I'm sure your project will look amazing!

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