Easy to sew slip covers are a stylish way of dressing up plain dining room chairs to make them look fresh and different from time to time, to hide worn seats or to suit a special occasion.
Dressy loose fabric covers with a short train are a wonderful idea for revamping ordinary dining chairs. They mean that you virtually have two sets of dining chairs at your disposal, the plain version for everyday use, and the smartened up one for a change or when you are entertaining friends.
The cover is quite simple to make, you just measure the vital statistics of your dining chair, taking into account any slight splaying of the legs, then cut out and sew together five rectangular pieces to fit these dimensions. For a final flourish, a lavish bow or rosette trims the back holding the outfits in place.
To vary the look on a set of chairs, make up each cover in a slightly different color or with an assortment of bows, some to match the covers, others in a mixture of coordinated or patterned fabrics for a more flamboyant effect.
A similar all-sorts scheme works for the gathered panel as well; for a really eye-catching back view, make the back bustle section and the bow in the same fabric to contrast with the main cover.
MEASURING UP AND CUTTING OUT
You can cut out the covers for two average sized, high back dining chairs from four meters of furnishing fabric. Double or treble this quantity of fabric if you want to cover four or six chairs.
For ease, use newspaper to measure up and trim to shape. Then transfer measurements to pattern paper for cutting out.
For this project you will need:
For two chairs:
4 3/8 yd (4m) furnishing fabric for covers
1 1/8 yd (1m) contrast or patterned fabric for bows
Newspaper, pattern paper, scissors
Matching thread
1. Measuring the front skirt. Measure the drop from the edge of the seat to the floor, and round the seat front and sides from one rear let to the other. Add 3/4inch (2cm) hem allowance on one long edge and 5/8inch (1.5cm) seam allowance on other three sides. Cut out the pattern to this size.
2. Measuring up for the seat and the back. Measure from the front of the seat to the top of the chair back. Then measure the widest part of the chair seat or back. Add 5/8in (1.5cm) for seam allowances all round. Cut out a pattern to these dimensions, then lay it on the seat and back, and trim to shape.
3. Measuring up for the side panel. For the width measure one third of the back plus the depth of the chair leg, and 5/8in (1.5cm) seam allowances on each long edge. For the length, measure from the top back to the floor, adding 1 3/8in (3.5cm) for the seam and hem allowances. Cut out paper pattern to the measurements. If using patterned fabric make sure the designs match.
4. Measuring the back panel. For the gathered panel pattern, cut a rectangle 1 1/8yd (1m) wide, by the drop from the top back to the floor plus an extra 3 1/4in (8cm) for a short train. Add 5/8in (1.5cm) seam allowance along sides and top.
5. Cutting out the cover. Arrange the paper pattern pieces for two chairs on 4 3/8yd (4m) of furnishing fabric making sure to place them in an economical way to get the most out of your fabric
MAKING UP THE COVER
It is easier to assemble each stage of the cover with the fabric draped over the chair. Stitch the separate sections together as you go along, pressing the seam allowances to one side and neatening them with zigzag or over locking them.
1. Attaching the skirt to the seat. Mark the center top of the skirt and the center front seat panel. With right side down, position seat panel on the chair. Matching the center marks, pin skirt to the seat panel. Trim away any excess fabric on the skirt, grading diagonally to the lower edge. Remove from the chair. Tack, and then stitch the panels together. Reinforce each corner with a row of stitching 3/8in (1cm) from the edge and snip diagonally up to stitching at corners.
2. Attaching the side panels. With right side down, fit the skirt seat piece over the chair. Fold the top edge to the back of the chair. Pin one side panel in place, up from the floor, across the side and along the back. Repeat with the other side piece. Remove from the chair. Tack and then stitch panels to skirt seat piece on each side. Reinforce and clip into corners.
3. Fitting the back panel. Stitch two rows of gathering stitches along the top edge of the back panel. With right side down, fit the joined panels over the chair. Pin the back panel to the side backs, leaving a 4 3/4in (12cm) gap 8 1/4in (21cm) down from the top on both sides for attaching the bow. Remove from the chair. Tack and then stitch down each side seam.
4. Gathering the bustle panel. Pull up the gathering threads so that the top of the back panel fits between the two side panels. Even out the gathering. Tack to the remaining section of the front seat panel and then machine stitch in place.
5. Hemming the cover. Turn up and stitch a 3/8in (1cm) double hem round the bottom of the skirt and side panels. Then turn up and stitch a 3/8in (1cm) hem on the back panel extension.
MAKING THE BOW
The bow and bow tab holding it into the back seams are made from rectangles of fabric that are cut and sewn separately, and formed into a bow as you go. Double or treble the amount of fabric used here for making two bows, if you are sewing covers for a set of four or six chairs.
1. Make bow pattern pieces. Cut two of each for two chairs.
Bow 27 1/2in x 19 3/4in (70cm x 50cm)
Bow tab 9 7/8in x 8 5/8in (25cm x 22cm)
Knot 9 7/8in x 7 1/8in (25cm x 18cm)
Tails 39 3/8in x 9 7/8in (1m x 25cm)
1. Cutting out. Place the pieces on your chosen fabric and cut out. 1 1/8yd (1m) of fabric is sufficient for two bows. Seam allowances of 3/8in (1cm) are included with the measurements.
2. Making the bow section. With rights sides together, fold bow pieces in half length ways and stitch long edge. Turn right side out, center the seam and press. Fold the bow into a ring with the seam on the inside. Overlap raw ends by 3/8in (1cm) and tack together.
3. Making the bow tab. Fold the bow tab piece in half length ways with right sides facing and stitch long edge. Turn to right side and press. Center bow tab over tacked ends on the back of the bow. Hand stitch through all layers.
4. Adding the knot. Right sides together, fold the knot piece in half width ways and stitch long edge. Turn to right side, center seam and press. Lightly pleat knot strip and wrap round the middle of the bow and bow tab. With ends meeting at the back, turn under an end and stitch together.
5. Making tails. Fold the tail in half length ways, right sides facing. Stitch the long edge and diagonally across each end. Trim and cut into two lengths, one a bit longer than the other.
6. Joining tail pieces. Turn to right side and press. Lay raw ends of tails on top of one another and zigzag stitch together. Place zigzagged edge centrally on the back of the knot and hand stitch securely.
7. Fitting the bow tab. Push the bow tab ends through the gaps left in the back seams of the chair cover. Turn the cover to wrong side, catch ends of bow tab into the chair cover seams, pin and stitch in place. Turn back to the right side and fit on your chair ready for you to use.
These slip covers made in a rich red create an opulent feel, add beautiful green and gold bows and you have added to your Christmas dining experience.
