How to Make Chair Covers

Making chair covers can be done in various styles. Depending on the type of chair to cover you will learn some basics here for a simple style and process.

Things You'll Need

• Chair to cover
• Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pattern, make your own or purchase.

Instructions

1. Measure the chair back and seat area. Remember that you will need a seam allowance so plan to leave about a half inch of fabric outside the line for sewing.

   Draw up a pattern on paper, or if purchasing a pattern cut out the one you want to use.

   Some chairs can have loose fitting covers and look great so don't worry about a tight fit.
   A chair does not need to have the entire chair covered to look nice, figure out just what you want to cover at this point, and lay out fabric, and place or draw the pattern on the fabric.

2. This step is for a rental chair, much like a folding chair. Measure the height and width of the chair back. Cut two pieces of fabric, with the seam allowance added to the measurement. Now sew around three sides of the cover. Hem the lower edge of the cover and slip it onto the chair back.

   If you want the seats covered also, just measure the seat length and width, cut again, with seam allowance. Now measure to the floor from the seat so you can cut the width of fabric that will reach to the floor when attached to the piece cut for the seat. Measure around the seat cover edges. This is the length you will need for the skirt.

   Allow about a third more fabric than the seat cover measures if you want a gathered skirt. Otherwise cut the fabric to fit the seat.

   It is not necessary to sew a back on the seat cover. Unless you want it really fancy. Pin the skirt to the edges of the seat fabric. Sew while the pins are holding the skirt to the chair seat fabric.
   Trim the allowance, and clip any curves, but not to the stitch line.

3. These basic steps will allow you in a short time cover a chsir, but should you want them fancier then using a pattern that is made for the specific style you may have would be time saving and more precise.

   I have done the simple covers for folding chairs for wedding receptions to take away the commercial look to the setting. Recruit help if making a lot of covers. The color of the chairs will determine if you need a light or darker color fabric. I had white plastic chairs, so the white fake ostrich hide covers looked really nice and were easy to sew. Gathered fabrics will take more time and thread, but for a setting that is frilly gathers will always be a good choice. Make one out of scrap fabric first to see if you like the fit and style. Keep in mind once you get it cut out, fabric will get wasted if not measured at least close to the best fit to the chair.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a dummy pattern and chair cover, cheap muslin fabric will do.

• Check the colors against the setting and the basic chair color for a good blend.

• Remember to clip any access fabric off the edges for a smooth fit.

• Try to keep your friends from trying to steal all you chair covers for their parties.