How To Measure for New Patio Chair Slings

How to measure for new patio chair replacement slings.

The most important part of the replacement sling process, aside from selecting a great new patio sling fabric, is the replacement sling measuring process. As they say, measure twice and cut once! No need to be intimidated by measuring your patio chair. It's relly quite easy. You will need a flexible measuring tape, or tailors tape. This kind of tape measure works better than a metal measuring tape. The cloth tape is flexible and can easily follow the curve of the chair frame. 

USE A SOFT MEASUREING TAPE FOR BEST RESULTS

You will take 3 meaurements from the patio chair frame.

Top width, bottom width and length.

Make sure that the metal rails, aka sling rails, that hold the sling to the frame are tightly installed. Check all the bolts that secure the rails to the frame and make sure they are not acceptionally loose.

Do not measure the old sling that has been taken out of the frame. This will not be an accurate measurement. Over time, the old sling fabric has lost its stretch or flexiblity. We can not guarantee your new replacement sling will fit if you measure the old fabric sling.

Takes your measurements a few inches down from the end of the sling rail. Over time, with the weight of the body, the metal rails can change position and be uneven at the very ends. It's best to take the measurements a few inche in from the end where the rails will be every and parallel from side to side.

Most of the time, (99.99999%) the top width and bottom width of your patio sling chair should be the same. Or pretty close. You may find that either width is not exactly the same and that's ok. It might be off by a very small amount. Don't worry. When in doubt, round UP to the closest 1/4". 

For example, if the top width measures 21 3/8" then round up to 21 1/2.

EXAMPLE OF ROUNDING UP

If your measurement is

• 20 1/8" then round UP to 20 1/4"
• 20 3/8" then round UP to 20 1/2
• 20 5/8" then round UP to 20 3/4"
• 20 7/8" then round UP to 21

STEP ONE  - MEASURING THE TOP WIDTH OF YOUR SLING CHAIR FRAME

Starting at one side of the sling chair frame, a few inches down from the end of the sling rail, as instructed, measure across the patio sling chair frame and fabric to the other side of the frame.

Measure from the edge of the metal where the fabric disappears into the metal rail to the other side. Some one to help you measure and hold one side of the tape measure can be helpful. Team work is the best course of action! Make sure your tape measure is taught and flat against the old sling fabric. 

DO NOT measure the old sling that is not installed in the patio sling chair frame. 

DO NOT add anything to the measurements from rail to rail and the length. We understand that there is fabric inside the rail that you can't see and each patio sling has hems on all 4 sides. We add the necessary fabric for seam allowances and stretch.

STEP TWO  - MEASURING THE BOTTOM WIDTH OF YOUR SLING CHAIR FRAME

Starting at one side of the sling chair frame, a few inches UP from the end of the sling rail, as instructed, measure across the patio sling chair frame and fabric to the other side of the frame.

Measure from the edge of the metal where the fabric disappears into the metal rail to the other side. Make sure your tape measure is taught and flat against the old sling fabric. Measure to the closest 1/4". When in doubt, round UP. 

For example, if the bottom width measures 19 7/8" then round up to 20".

DO NOT measure the old sling that is not installed in the patio sling chair frame. 

DO NOT add anything to the measurements from rail to rail and the length. We understand that there is fabric inside the rail that you can't see and each patio sling has hems on all 4 sides. We add the necessary fabric for seam allowances and stretch.

STEP THREE  - MEASURING THE OVERALL LEGTH OF YOUR OLD PATIO SLING

In this case, having someone else to hold the end of the measuring tape is very helpful. You want your flexible tape measure to follow the curve of the chair, keeping the measuring tape, flat against the rail or fabric as your work your way down the frame. You can also use a clamp to hold the measuring tape in place if you are working alone. Take your time measuring and repeat the process until you feel your measurements are accurate and ready to go. 

When measuring the length, make sure to measure the RAIL, not the old sling. From the weight of the body over time, the sling fabric can work its way up the rail and may not be stretched in place. If you measure the actual metal rail, then your new replacement sling is sure to be long enough when installed.

DO NOT measure the old sling that is not installed in the patio sling chair frame. 

DO NOT add anything to the measurements from rail to rail and the length. We understand that there is fabric inside the rail that you can't see and each patio sling has hems on all 4 sides. We add the necessary fabric for seam allowances and stretch.

REMINDER

DO NOT measure the old sling that is not installed in the patio sling chair frame. 

DO NOT add anything to the measurements from rail to rail and the length. We understand that there is fabric inside the rail that you can't see and each patio sling has hems on all 4 sides. We add the necessary fabric for seam allowances and stretch.