One of the most popular trends in dining room décor over the past few years involves mixing and matching tablecloths with chair covers. It can be difficult to find the exact style, design and color wanted, so many people make their own.
Instructions
1. Settle on the style, design and color of slipcover you want to make. Style refers to its overall look, such as a Victorian décor. Design refers to the type of fabric chosen for the slipcover, such as heavy damask, jacquard, tapestry, and linen. Color choices should match the overall dining area or complement table linens.
2. Measure the chairs that will be covered to determine the amount of fabric required. Begin at the back of the chair, stretching the measuring tape from the floor up the back, over the top, across the seat and down the front to the floor. Also measure the sides, beginning at the floor up to the top of the seat. Add the numbers together to determine the number of fabric yards needed per chair and then multiply that by the number of chairs to be covered.
3. Pick out the fabric for your slipcovers at stores such as Hancock Fabrics. Avoid fabrics that are too heavy or are limited in width below 50 inches. Choose a fabric wide enough to cover the entire chair so that you won't have to splice side pieces to the back and front.
4. Divide the fabric into lengths sufficient to cover each chair. Measure more than once before making any permanent cuts.
5. Drape the first piece of fabric, right side down over the chair, molding it into place to make certain it fits correctly. Begin preparing the cover by pinning the fabric up the back of the chair, making it snug against the chair but not to tight, so it can be easily removed.
6. Pin the fabric up the front of the chair, following the same process as in Step 7. Do not worry about hem length at this time.
7. Mold the fabric to the sides so that it lies flat. Pin the fabric into place. Cut away any excess fabric so there will not be any bulk in the slipcover once it is sewn and put into place.
8. Place pins around the bottom of the fabric as a guideline for hemming the cover. The slipcover should skim the floor or be no more than 1 inch above it.
9. Remove the slipcover and stitch along the pinned lines using a sewing machine or needle and thread. Make small stitches that will hold the seam into place and not tear easily.
10. Turn the slipcover inside out and place it onto the chair to gauge if it fits properly. If so, move on to the next slipcover. If not, make any last-minute adjustments.
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