How to Make a Knife Pleated Skirt for a Chair

Measure the circumference of your chair, going only around the sides and front. Multiply this by three and call it measurement A.

Cut a length of fabric that measures A plus 1 inch wide by 4 inches high.

Fold in each side edge of the fabric toward the wrong side by one-quarter inch, then press. Fold by one-quarter inch again and press. Use your sewing machine to sew the side seams, making a straight stitch line against the fold on each side.

Fold up one long edge of the fabric by one-quarter inch, then by one-quarter inch again. Press and sew the seam as with the sides.

Line up a ruler with the top, unfinished edge of the fabric. Use a fabric marking pen to make a small vertical line every one-half inch across the fabric.

Use your scissors to make a small snip at each vertical mark you drew.

Start at the top left of your fabric. Pinch the fabric directly in between the first two lines you drew, and crease at this point to make a fold going vertically on the fabric. Fold the pinched seam over to the right until it meets the next line you drew, then press it down with your hands.Insert a straight pin vertically into the pleat to hold it in place.

Repeat the process in step seven going across the fabric. Pinch in the center of the next two lines, fold over until it meets the next line to the right. Pin each pleat in place as you go.

Place the pleated fabric on your ironing board and use your iron to gently press the pleats into position, making sure they pleat all along the fabric and not just at the top where the markings and pins are located.

Line up the raw edge of the pleated fabric with the sides and fronts of the slipcover you have for the top of the chair cushion. Align the fabrics so the right sides face one another. Pin in place all the way around, then sew through all layers of the cover fabric and the pleated fabric. Make a straight stitch seam all around the perimeter, removing the pins as you go.

Open up the slipcover after sewing so that the seams are hidden underneath the cover and the pleated edge hangs over the sides and front of the seat cushion.