How to Make a Papasan Cover

As a staple of 1970s interior design, papasan chairs bring an informal, laid-back feeling to living rooms, sunrooms and decks in homes across the United States. Constructed of sturdy rattan, the concave seat design holds a thick, circular cushion filled with cotton or wool batting with button tufting to hold the filling in place. Papasan chair cushions last for many years even with daily use; however, covering the cushion will help protect it from stains and signs of wear. Make a papasan cushion cover with just a little time and effort, a sewing machine and a few basic materials.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Measuring tape or yardstick
• Fabric chalk
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Bonded nylon upholstery thread

Instructions

1. Choose a mid-weight fabric such as cotton duck, twill or canvas. The fabric should be heavy enough to withstand use but it does not need to be as heavy as upholstery fabric. Approximately 4 yards of fabric are needed for a standard sized papasan chair cover.

2. Launder the fabric and dry it thoroughly. Iron the fabric to release any creases or wrinkles before proceeding.

3. Lay the fabric face-down on a large, flat surface such as the floor or a large table. Fold the fabric in half widthwise and cut it evenly into two portions along the fold.

4. Lay one portion of the fabric face-down and place the papasan cushion in the center. Measure 3 inches from the edge of the cushion and mark the fabric with the chalk. Repeat this four times at equal intervals around the cushion. Trace between the points with the chalk to form a circle. Remove the cushion from the fabric.

5. Cut along the chalk line using a rotary cutter or scissors. Cut slowly to minimize distortion of the curve.

6. Fold the circular portion of fabric in half. Fold it in half again and then once more. If done properly, the fabric will resemble a slice of pie. Trim along the widest edge of the fabric to even out the curvature, if it appears uneven. Unfold the cloth. It should be uniformly circular in shape.

7. Lay the second portion of the cloth face-down. Spread the circular portion of cloth on top of it and pin it in place along the edges. Trace around the circular portion of cloth using fabric chalk. Unpin and remove the circular portion of cloth.

8. Cut the second piece of cloth. Fold it in half and iron the folded edge to create a strong crease. Unfold the cloth and cut along the creased edge. You will have two semicircular pieces of cloth.

9. Measure along the straight edge of the semicircular piece of cloth. Add 1 inch to each end and cut two 4-inch-wide portions of fabric to that length. Fold the newly cut portions of cloth in half lengthwise and pin them shut. Iron the folded portions of cloth to create a crease and remove the pins. These portions of fabric are used to create a placket for the envelope-style opening along the back of the cover.

10. Lay the semicircular portions of cloth face up. Align the long open end of the placket pieces along the straight edge of the semicircular fabric pieces. Pin them in place.

11. Set the sewing machine to create a straight stitch. Sew along the pinned edge of the fabric 1/2 inch from the edge. Repeat this with the second semicircular portion of fabric and placket. Remove the pins. Fold the placket down and press it with the iron until it lays flat.

12. Lay the large circular portion of fabric face up on a flat surface with one of the semicircular portions of fabric facing it. Match the edges of the fabric together and pin them in place. Sew along the pinned edge. Add a double layer of stitching at each end of the placket and trim off the excess fabric from the edge.

13. Align the second semicircular portion of cloth with the opposite edge of the circular cloth. The placket ends should overlap. Pin the fabric in place and sew along the circular edge. Remove the pins.

14. Turn the cover right-side out. Slip your hands inside and smooth the circular seam. Iron the cover.

15. Slip the cushion inside the cover from the back.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a button to the envelope opening to make it more secure, if desired.

• Always be cautious when using a sewing machine.

References

• "Make Your Own Cushions and Covers"; Lani Van Reenen; 1998
• "Making Cushions and Covers"; Dorothy Wood; 2001