How to Make a Papasan Chair Cover

Use a sewing machine to give the papasan chair a professional look.

Papasan chairs were popular in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, and made a comeback in the early 2000s as trendy and affordable seating. Papasan chairs have a distinctive look with their bowl-shaped seating area on top of a pedestal. They come with a round pillow for cushioning. Wood or bamboo frames come in varied styles, shapes and construction. The cushions, usually made of an insert, covered in canvas. You can transform the look of the chair to match your decor by making a new cover.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Pencil or chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Zipper
• Decorative cording (optional)
• Buttons (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure the papasan pillow insert's approximate length and width. To make this easier, imagine it is a square, rather than round or oval. Add at least 2 inches to each measurement. Because you will need to cover both sides of your insert, you will need to have either double your measurement, or have two pieces of the same measurement cut.

2. Fit your two identical pieces of fabric together, with the right sides together. Place the insert on top of the fabric and trace the outline using a pencil or chalk. Set aside the insert and make sure that your outline is evenly shaped. Depending on the thickness of the insert, add 3 to 4 inches around your outline and retrace. Cut the two identical pieces out using this second line.

3. Pin your two pieces of fabric together around the edges, right sides together, and pin the zipper in what will be the back of the cushion. Ensure your zipper is unzipped, so each side of the fabric has a side of the zipper pinned to it. Your zipper should be one-quarter to one-third of the length of your sides.

4. Sew the two pieces together, 1/2 an inch from the edge, making sure to sew the zipper to the fabric, rather than sewing that part of the fabric together. Continue all the way around cover until you overlap your stitches. Remove the cover from the sewing machine.

5. Remove the pins and turn your cover inside out. Fill the cover with your insert, and zip shut.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the zipper is facing the inside of the cover when sewing.

• Adding buttons adds character and personalizes your cover.

• Embellish your cover with decorative cording by pinning it in place, face in, and sewing it along with your two pieces.

References

• Kirin Notebook: How to Sew a Cushion with an Invisible Zip