Why one size letter is not enough
Circa50 gives a useful example: for a non-folding frame measuring 32 inches across the back and 26 inches at the front, it combines its D and B patterns. That means about 81.3 cm and 66 cm respectively. These are the supplier’s example and pattern names, not a worldwide sizing system.[1]
Its measuring instruction uses the widest span across the frame or the peaks of the bends. Follow that diagram if ordering from Circa50; another maker may require different reference points. Send a photograph showing exactly where each measurement was taken rather than a message containing two unexplained numbers.
Identify whether the frame folds and photograph its whole shape from the front, side and back. Circa50 has its own ordering rule for folding frames, but you should still get confirmation for an unusual or modified example. A category on a shop page is not a substitute for identifying your frame.
Make sure the frame is worth a new cover
With the old sling removed only if it can be handled safely, inspect the four support corners, joints and floor contact points. Look for rough edges, a bent corner, corrosion or a past welded repair. Have structural uncertainty assessed before ordering a load-bearing cover.
| Include | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Front and rear widths with marked measuring points | Matches the supplier’s pattern method. |
| Side view and overall frame dimensions | Shows depth, angles and an unusual profile. |
| All four support corners | Allows pocket shape and frame condition to be discussed. |
| Folding or fixed construction and known repairs | Prevents a familiar name hiding a different frame. |
Do not bend the frame to make a nearly fitting cover reach. Equally, do not cut or shorten a pocket to remove an awkward fold. Return to the maker if the fit is wrong. The sling and its corner seams carry you; fitting is more than an upholstery styling choice.
Choose the cover for the place it will live
Canvas, leather and synthetic covers can differ in feel, cleaning and suitability for the setting. Ask the supplier for the intended use and care of the exact material, including what to expect from stretch. A colour swatch cannot tell you how the finished sling will support you.
Varax, for example, describes one artificial-leather replacement as fitting its own 85 × 90 × 55 cm frame and being for indoor use. That specific limitation is helpful: a butterfly-shaped cover is not automatically an outdoor cover, nor does it necessarily fit a frame from another maker.[2]
If you want to retain a historically important old cover, discuss storage or conservation separately. A new usable sling and a preserved original may serve different purposes. Record the replacement instead of presenting the whole chair as untouched.
Confirm the fit before the order becomes final
Ask about made-to-measure terms, who approves the dimensions and what happens if a confirmed pattern does not fit. Include delivery and any frame repair when comparing the total with a complete chair. The cheapest cover is poor value if it leaves two corners insecure.
Copy into your enquiry
This is my fixed/folding frame, with measurements marked on the photographs. Can you confirm the pattern, all four pocket shapes and the material for indoor/outdoor use? Please tell me what else you need before I order.
After fitting according to the maker’s instructions, resolve any uncertain seating or frame movement before use. A correctly matched cover is what turns the pleasing metal outline back into a chair.