How to Make a Slipcover for a Converted Captain's Chair

Captain-style chairs are comfortable for dining.

Slip-covering a converted captain's chair will make it look more formal-looking. This style of chair has a low-profile, scoop-style back that often has a small padded seat back. The arms tend to be open, and the seat is wider and upholstered. The most common versions of this chair are made of wood with leather or upholstered pieces. Covering the chair is similar to other upright dining or desk-type chairs.

Things You'll Need

• Muslin
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Seam ripper
• Fabric

Instructions

1. Wrap muslin fabric on the outside of the chair, from one arm to the other. Position your second piece of fabric along the inside of the arm, seat back and other arm.

2. Pin the two pieces of muslin together along the top edge, following the contour of the seat top and arms. The outside muslin should overlap the floor by 1 inch. The inside muslin should overlap the seat by 1 inch. Place your third piece of muslin across the seat and down the front of the chair.

3. Pin the third piece to the inside, wrapping the piece along the edges of the chair seat. Pin the front sides to the outside muslin piece. Allow excess fabric to overhang the floor in the front by 1 inch. Then, label your pieces, and remove the muslin.

4. Sew seams along your pin lines. Then, place the muslin on the chair. Correct the fit until your muslin fits the chair well. Then, rip the seams.

5. Pin your muslin fabric pieces to your decorator fabric, and cut out your pieces. Place the pieces right-sides together, and sew along your seam lines. Ease the curves by cutting notches in the seam allowance. Remove excess fabric bulk in the seam allowances at the corners, turn the cover right-side out, and place it on the chair.

6. Pin the hem around the bottom of the chair to the correct height. Remove the cover, and sew the hem. Trim off any excess fabric, and put the cover on the captain's chair.

Tips & Warnings

• This style of chair is oftentimes part of a set. Use your muslin pattern to make covers for all of your chairs at the same time. If your seat back angles to the back, pin a dart shape in the outside- and inside-wrapping muslin to line up with each back leg. This will correct the fit.