How to Make Arm Chair Covers: Easy DIY Guide
Making arm chair covers is both fun and useful, especially with the perfect fabric. Choosing the right fabric is key for covers that last and look good. Fabrics like heavy cotton, canvas, or upholstery fabric work best because they’re strong and easy to work with.
When looking for fabric, you have great options. Think about using heavy cotton for its toughness, or canvas if you want something stiffer. Upholstery fabric is great for seats that get a lot of use since it handles wear well. It’s also crucial to pick fabric that goes well with the chair and the room’s look.
It’s important to make sure your cover is easy to care for. Wash the fabric in hot water before you start to avoid shrinkage. Then, use a zig-zag or serger stitch on the edges. This will help your cover last longer, even with regular cleaning.
Start by making a trial pattern with an old sheet or cheap muslin. This allows for adjustments before cutting your final fabric. It’s a cheap way to make sure your cover fits perfectly.
| Fabric Type | Durability | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Cotton | High | Robust Covers |
| Canvas | Very High | Rigid Covers |
| Upholstery Fabric | Excellent | Frequent Use |
The whole project takes about 1.5 hours and uses about half a yard of fabric for each cover. Getting the size right is crucial. Make sure to add at least 2 inches of fabric for the deeper spots.
With the best fabric and some planning, you can easily spruce up your room. Custom arm chair covers add both beauty and practicality to your space.
Measuring Your Arm Chair for a Custom Fit
To make sure your chair cover fits perfectly, it’s important to measure your arm chair carefully. Start by noting the size of the armrests, both their length and width. Then, measure the chair’s height and width, including the size of the arms, back, and seat.
A flexible tape measure is best, especially for curved areas. Add a ½ inch seam allowance to ensure the cover fits just right, neither too tight nor too loose. The success of your DIY chair cover depends on these accurate measurements.
When considering slipcover types, knowing the different sizes is helpful. For example:
- Sofa slipcovers are 74 to 96 inches wide and up to 40 inches tall.
- Chair slipcovers range from 32 to 43 inches wide, with a height cap of 40 inches.
- Recliner slipcovers fit widths of 30 inches and circumferences of 78 to 92 inches, depending on the model.
- Wing chair slipcovers suit widths of 29 to 32 inches and heights up to 45 inches.
Choosing the right fabric is also key. Options like Care+ Tweed and Classic Velvet offer benefits such as easy cleaning, resistance to spills, mildew, and UV damage. Custom measurements make any chair look elegant and function well.
Spending more time measuring at the start can save effort and materials later. Accurate measurements and the right allowances are vital for professional-looking, tailored chair covers.
Cutting the Fabric Pieces to Size
After choosing your fabric and measuring, it’s time to cut. Start by laying down cutting patterns for chair covers on the fabric. Use strong fabric scissors for a neat, precise cut. This makes your DIY upholstery project easier.
For chairs with curved armrests, adjust your cuts to fit the shape. Make sure to label each piece. This helps you put everything together easily later on.
Leave about 1 inch extra around the edges for seams. If your fabric has big designs, you may need more fabric to line up the patterns.
The amount of fabric you need varies with the chair’s size and design. For an armrest 8 inches wide, cut the fabric 9 inches wide for seams.
| Measurement Area | Measure | Cutting Size |
|---|---|---|
| Armrest Width | 8 Inches (20 cm) | 9 Inches (23 cm) |
| Suggested Armrest Length | At least 12 inches (30 cm) | 12 inches (30 cm) |
| Front Piece | – | 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from marking line |
| Long Fabric Piece | – | Add extra 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) |
| Seam Allowance | 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) | 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) |
| Hems | – | 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) twice for a rolled hem |
Gathering fabric is key when sewing curves to avoid wrinkles. Boxy or square armrests usually need less fabric than curved ones. Good cutting and planning ensure your DIY upholstery looks professional.
Preparing and Pinning the Fabric
Before you start sewing, it’s important to prepare your fabric. Make sure you have everything you need: fabric scissors, paper scissors, Clover Wonder Clips or straight pins, a quilting ruler, a sewing machine, and a pen or pencil. Pinning your fabric keeps the pieces in place and stops them from moving. Use Clover Wonder Clips or straight pins to attach the fabric, keeping the grain straight.
When choosing fabric for upholstery, avoid quilting fabrics because they are too light and not very wide. Also, stay away from striped or printed fabrics as matching patterns can be very hard and may require more fabric. Always cut your fabric 2 inches wider than the chair’s back for enough seam allowance and adjustments.
Pressing the seams with an iron before pinning is a key step. It helps you sew cleaner lines and gives a more professional look. Make sure your pattern pieces are lined up right. Using long straight pins can help when you’re moving the fabric to your sewing machine.
For edges that won’t fray, try using French seams. Start with a ¼ inch seam allowance and then do a ½ inch finished seam. This method makes your work durable and neat. Some people say that cats stop scratching furniture with armrest covers on, showing how useful good upholstery can be.
With your fabric ready and pinned, sewing becomes easier and the end result better. For more tips on making custom covers, visit this DIY chair cover tips for additional help with your project.
Sewing the Chair Cover Components Together
Start by getting all your fabric pieces ready. Make sure they are measured and cut correctly. This is key for a good outcome with sewing techniques for upholstery. First, sew smaller pieces like the arms to the back and seat covers. Using a French seam will hide the raw edges, for a clean look inside and out. This is important for making DIY chair covers that last a long time.
Before sewing the final pieces, test your stitches on a scrap of fabric. This ensures your machine’s tension and stitch length are right for your upholstery fabric. Upholstery fabric is thicker and more costly than other types, because it’s durable and heavy. Making these adjustments can prevent problems later on.
Keep a steady 1/2-inch seam allowance during assembling fabric pieces. This keeps your cover fitting well and looking even. Also, be careful with patterned fabrics. Align patterns and grains correctly to avoid mismatched looks on your final cover.
Consider the type of fabric and the seam finishing it needs for the best outcome. Faux leather and cloth upholstery cost about $11 to $20 per yard. Real leather is pricier, starting at $5 to $7 per square foot. Using a walking presser foot can help with heavy-duty fabrics. It feeds the fabric evenly through the machine for a professional finish.
| Upholstery Fabric Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Faux Leather | $11-$20 per yard |
| Cloth Upholstery | $11-$20 per yard |
| Real Leather | $5-$7 per square foot |
Remember to add 3 to 4 inches to the edges for stapling onto the chair frame. This extra fabric makes for smoother transitions between staples, improving the look. By following these sewing techniques for upholstery, you’ll create durable, stylish DIY chair covers for your home.
Adding Finishing Touches and Closures
To make your DIY chair cover stand out, focus on finishing touches that boost looks and use. Adding zippers helps with easy removal and cleaning. Pick zippers that blend well with your fabric.
Hemming the edges gives a neat finish and stops fraying, making your cover last longer. For a fancy touch, add decorative piping around the edges. This brings a bit of elegance.
Choosing the right closure keeps the cover in place. Use zippers or tie-backs for a tight fit. Velcro is an easy, adjustable option. These details make the cover look better and easier to use.
Match closures with your fabric and design. If you’re looking for tips, this tutorial guides you through making budget-friendly slipcovers, focusing on choosing the right fabric and measuring correctly.
Adding non-slip backing under the fabric keeps the cover steady, great for chairs that get a lot of use. This feature is getting popular, showing more people want stable and safe furniture. With these ideas, you can give your armchair a pro and unique look that’s both stylish and practical.
Fitting and Adjusting the Chair Covers
After sewing, the next step is to fit the covers on your furniture. Start from the top and slowly move down. This way, the cover will go on smoothly without any wrinkles.
Make sure to check the seams as you adjust the cover. You might need to add extra darts to get rid of loose spots. This makes the cover fit the chair better. For help, check out Slipcover Maker for detailed guides.
To keep the cover in place, you can use Velcro or ties under the chair. If it moves a lot, twist pins or rubber bands can also work. A good fit makes your furniture look great and last longer.
