How to Make a Slipcover for the Back of a Windsor Chair

This article will describe how to make a slip cover for an armless Windsor Chair. There are many styles of Windsor Chairs. Therefore we will examine the art of pattern making. A pattern will have to be made for the back of the exact chair you are working with. You can make a pattern for any style of chair you have

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine and all related paraphernalia.
• Fabric yard goods for the slip cover. Matching thread.
• Scribe paper, butcher paper or brown wrapping paper or any sturdy paper to use for making a pattern.

1. Spread paper on suitable working surface or on the floor. Lay back of Windsor Chair on paper and wrap paper as necessary so that desired area of the chair will be covered by the paper. Mark outline of chair back with suitable marker around the top and along the seat line. This is now your basic pattern.

2. Working now with just the pattern sheet, measure off seam allowance of 1/2 inch over the rounding top part of your pattern and mark that. Measure off fold over allowance along the bottom or seat area and mark that. Now cut out your complete pattern which will include the seam allowances top and bottom.

3. Pin your yard goods fabric to the pattern so you can cut the fabric without the pattern slipping around on you. Once it's pinned all around, cut out your fabric. The back piece will need to be just a little larger than the front to allow for the curve. You will need two pieces of fabric, one for the front and one for the back.

4. At this point it is a good idea to pin the fabric pieces together WRONG SIDE OUT and actually place them over the chair back for a trial fitting before any sewing is done. Now, make adjustments by moving the pins around so the fabric pieces fit comfortably over the chair back. Even pin up the fold over allowance at the bottom. What you are making here is a large thumb less mitten inside out.

5. * Once you have all the pins in place and the cover is fitting comfortably over the chair back you are ready to sew it up. Sew the fold over allowance at the bottom first. Then sew around your pin line at the top removing pins as you go. Leave the bottom open so you can turn the material right side out and be able to slip the cover over the chair back. You could add snaps in between the spindles at the bottom for a more snug fit if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Many choices of fabric are available. You might find a quilted fabric which would be ideal for this application. I would stay away from the heavy upholstery fabrics for a first try. They can be quite stiff and hard to work with. Once you've made your first prototype you might want to add embellishments like cording around the seams and things like that.
• The difficulty here is in working with patterns and working with material on the wrong side of the material.
• And of course any time you are working with pins and needles there is always the possibility of a finger puncture. Be careful.