How to Make Sling Seats for a PVC Chair

PVC is good for more than just plumbing, it also makes sturdy lawn chairs.

To make sling seats for a PVC chair, look for strong fabric rated for outdoor use. Choose either a heavy ultraviolet-protected canvas, a thick woven outdoor fabric or a marine-grade vinyl. Canvas, even if treated with waterproofing, will absorb some moisture, while rainwater pools on vinyl's surface. Vinyl seats can be wiped dry, while air-drying canvas takes a while. If the chair will be frequently exposed to rain, opt for vinyl over canvas.

Things You'll Need

• Yardstick or tape measure
• 1 yard canvas or vinyl fabric
• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors, heavy-duty or upholstery
• Sewing machine, heavy-duty or industrial

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the seat, from the outer edges of the frame, using the yardstick or tape measure. Measure the length from the front of the frame's seat to the top of the backrest. Accommodate for the part of the seat that hangs down a little, where the seat and backrest meet. Six inches extra should be enough to cover that, but measure to be sure, and add 9 inches to the length for the casings. Do not add anything to the width because the sling should hang just inside the frame after the edges are finished.

2. Draw out the dimensions on the fabric, using the tailor's chalk. Make two fabric rectangles.

3. Cut out around the drawn lines, using the scissors.

4. Place the two rectangles with the wrong sides together. Fold the fabric over 1/2 inch all the way up each long side, then fold the edge a second time. The raw edges will be completely encased. Top-stitch 1/8 inch from the both the inner and outer edges of the fold. This will be thick.

5. Fold the top and bottom edges 1/2 inch over, then fold the edges again, making a 2-inch fold this time. Sew the large fold down with the sewing machine by top-stitching 1/8 inch from the folded edge you created when you made the 1/2 inch fold. Run a second line of top-stitching by sewing 1/8 inch inside the first line. This makes the casing you will slide through the PVC pipes at the top and bottom edges.

Tips & Warnings

• You'll need a heavy, sharp sewing machine needle to pierce all the layers of fabric.

• You can make the sling from a single thickness of fabric, but your chair will support more weight with double layers of fabric.

• Put the folded seams that were on top when you were sewing the sling seat on the back side of the chair. The cover will be flatter, giving the chair more visual appeal than it would have if the finished edges are on top.

References

• Sewing & Craft Alliance: Topstitching
• Sewing & Craft Alliance: Seam Finishes