Making your own chair covers is rewarding and saves money. Ready-made covers cost between $30 to $100 each. DIY can lower this, based on your fabric choice. You can add your personal flair and protect your chairs by creating covers that match your style.
You need 2 to 5 yards of fabric and some basic tools. This can turn ordinary chairs into something special. High-density foam cushions offer more comfort. A new slipcover can enhance this, fitting into your home’s decor perfectly.
This guide shows you how to pick the right fabric and add those finishing touches for a perfect fit. You’ll learn to make chair covers that are both stylish and tough. They’ll be easy to care for and hold up well, even in busy homes with kids or pets.
Choosing the Perfect Fabric for Your Chair Covers
When picking fabric for chair covers, think about looks and use. Cotton is popular for its soft feel and coolness, perfect for dining seats. But it stains easily and might not last long in busy spots. Always wash the cotton in hot water before sewing to avoid shrinking later.
For something durable, Polyester is a top pick. It doesn’t wrinkle or stain easily and keeps its shape well. This makes it ideal for chairs that get a lot of use, like in offices or dining rooms. For events like weddings, stretchy fabrics like spandex and polyester are great because they can handle a lot of wear.
Other materials like linen and velvet also have their perks. Linen is cool and resists moisture but wrinkles quickly. Velvet looks luxurious and resists stains but needs more care. Leather and faux leather are great for easy cleaning and water resistance, making them chic yet functional options.
Custom-made covers are best for specific chair sizes, often used in events. They fit perfectly and last longer. For dining chairs, choose materials that are cozy, breathable, and strong. This balance will ensure your covers are both stylish and practical.
Gathering Essential Tools and Materials
To make chair covers, you need many tools and materials. A good sewing machine that works with different fabrics is key. For simple fabrics like cotton, a basic machine is fine. But for heavier materials, get a machine with stretch stitches.
A pair of sharp scissors is a must for clean cuts. Sewing pins or clips and a measuring tape are also important. They help hold your fabric and make sure your covers fit perfectly.
You’ll also need seam rippers, fabric markers, or tailor’s chalk, and basic sewing items like needles and thread. Stretchy fabrics like polyester are great for their durability. It’s also good to have high-quality fabric for covers that last.
Keeping your sewing space organized with these items will help a lot. It makes sewing chair covers easier and more fun.
Measuring Your Chairs for a Custom Fit
To make your chair covers fit just right, measuring carefully is key. First, remove the chair cushion if you can. This lets you measure the chair’s real size. You’ll need to know the chair’s height, width, and depth. Measure both the seat and the backrest.
Most dining chairs are around 18 inches tall, 18-20 inches wide, and 16-18 inches deep. Remember to measure how high the seat is from the ground, which is usually 18 to 20 inches. This decides how long the chair cover skirts should be. They should hang 2-4 inches below the seat. Add a little extra to each measurement for the best fit when sewing.
Try using an old sheet to see how much fabric you need. Drape it over the chair to cover every part, including arms, back, and seat. This way, you can plan your project better before cutting your chosen fabric.
For the details, here’s a helpful guide:
- Measure the chair back height from the seat to the top.
- Measure the chair back width from edge to edge.
- Measure the chair seat width from side to side.
- Measure the seat depth from the front edge to where it meets the back.
Adding elastic or ties can make your covers fit tightly. About half of all DIY projects use them. These help your covers stay in place. For heavy or stretchy fabrics, use a sewing machine that can do stretch stitches. For cotton or linen, a basic sewing machine works fine. They’re chosen by about 70% of DIYers.
For more tips on measuring chairs for covers, look at this useful guide. It has expert advice and step-by-step instructions.
To wrap it up, careful measuring and using old fabric as a pattern makes making chair covers easier. Here’s a comparison of usual sizes to help you:
| Type of Chair | Width | Height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Dining Chairs | 18-20 inches | 18 inches | 16-18 inches |
| Wing Chair | 32 inches | 45 inches | – |
| Recliner | 30 inches | 40 inches | 78-92 inches (circumference) |
| Ottoman | 26-29 inches | 20 inches | 30-45 inches (length) |
Cutting and Preparing Fabric Pieces
First, figure out how much fabric you need for your chair covers. Then it’s time for cutting fabric for chair covers following the chair’s exact measurements. Use an old sheet or the chosen fabric as a pattern on the chair. Be sure it’s placed right. Mark where the seams go with a pencil, so they align well when sewing. Although 6-8 yards of 54″ wide fabric is typical for a wing chair, get 7-8 yards to have extra for any adjustments.
In preparing fabric for sewing, always add extra fabric at the seams and hems. A good rule is to leave about one inch extra around each piece. This makes sure you have room for small changes or to tuck fabric in. Pinning the fabric with straight pins every few inches keeps it secure and makes sewing easier.
Using the finished edges of fabrics like drop cloths can lessen the need for hemming. To hem chair cover bottoms, fold the edge of the fabric twice. This makes a clean edge and helps the cover last longer, even with heavy use or pets around. This way, you don’t need a pattern and can tailor the covers to your chairs’ shapes.
If you’re looking for fabric ideas or sewing tips, this DIY chair cover patterns guide can inspire you. The right cutting and fabric prep ensures your covers look great and last long.
Sewing the Chair Covers Together
Start making your DIY chair covers by sewing pieces of fabric together. Use a sewing machine set to a 1/2″ seam allowance. This makes your seams strong. Place the cover inside-out on the chair. This lets you make easy adjustments and keeps the shape right.
Using lots of pins to hold the fabric to the chair helps a lot. It makes sure everything fits perfectly as you put the chair cover together. Keep fitting and pinning to get a look that fits nicely. Always check how it fits and make changes when sewing for a smooth finish.
Now, work on making the seams last longer. A zigzag stitch or using a serger will stop the edges from fraying. And don’t miss hemming the bottom for a nice look. Fold and stitch the bottom edge twice. This extra effort makes your chair covers look neat and professional.
If you want to add fancy stuff like ruffles or piping, do it now. For example, you can create piping with a cotton cord wrapped in fabric. This adds an elegant touch to your project.
When making the seat cushion cover, go with an envelope style. It’s easier to handle than a zipper. Draw the cushion shape on fabric, leaving a 1/2″ seam allowance for a tight fit. Leave an opening of 4-6 inches to turn the fabric right side out later. Secure the ends of any elastic tightly. Use a safety pin or a threader to pull the elastic through.
Follow these guidelines to make beautiful chair covers. This process will help you achieve great-looking and practical chair covers.
Adding Finishing Touches and Details
Final touches make your custom chair cover designs look amazing. Think about adding piping, pleats, or decorative ties for a stylish touch. You can also put in zippers or elastic in earlier steps for a tight fit. This makes the covers easy to take off and wash.
Detailing your chair covers by folding and stitching the edges neatly works well. An overlock stitch gives a professional look and makes them last longer. This trick was shared in a Cottages & Bungalows tutorial. It stressed aligning all raw edges in the same direction when putting it together.
To improve homemade chair covers, roll under the fabric edges. Use 3-inch fabric strips for the skirt for a polished look. These slipcovers are designed to be removable and easy to wash. They are perfect for messy spots without losing style.
Add a fun touch with ribbons or tassels. Use ribbons about 20 inches long and attach them with zig-zag stitches for elegance. This works well if your fabric doesn’t fray, making sewing easier.
The last step is putting the slipcover right-side-out on the chair. Now, you’ll see your custom chair cover design, a project to be proud of.
Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your Chair Covers
To keep your chair covers looking good, you need to care for them regularly. It’s important to wash DIY slipcovers often. For polyester ones, use a gentle cycle in a front-load or agitator-free top-load washer. This prevents stress on the fabric. Always wash matching colors together to avoid dye running, even though it’s rare.
Dealing with stains right away is key to keeping the fabric looking great. Pick the right cleaning method for each material. Never dry clean spandex covers. Instead, air dry them away from heat to avoid damaging the fibers. On the other hand, satin covers can be dry cleaned. Iron them with a cloth on low heat to prevent damage. Also, keep your covers in a cool, dry place to avoid mold and mildew. Store them neatly in breathable fabric bags.
Ironing is important for keeping chair covers looking neat. For polyester covers, test the iron’s heat on an inside seam first. This ensures it’s safe for the whole cover. Storing covers properly is also crucial to avoid damage. Check out this guide to folding and storing to help keep them in great shape.
For machine-washable materials, use cold water on a gentle cycle. This helps keep the fabric strong. Spraying them with a fabric protector every six months helps too. This keeps them fresh and bright. These steps, from careful washing to smart storing, help your chair covers last longer. That way, they’ll be ready for several events in the future.
