Folding Chair Cover Tutorial

Sewing a folding chair cover for a special event is a project that requires basic measuring and sewing skills. Consider drafting the pattern on paper before cutting the fabric to prevent costly mistakes. Once completed, an unattractive chair takes on a new life. Choose a washable fabric for low-maintenance covers that you can launder and use multiple times.

Measuring tape
Paper
Washable fabric
Scissors
Pins
Sewing machine
Thread
Iron
Muslin fabric (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the seat with a flexible measuring tape, from the left side of the seat to the right side. Measure the width of the seat, from the front to the back. Increase the seat measurements by 1 inch. Write down both measurements.
- 2
  Measure the height of the folding back of the chair, from the back of the seat to the top of the backrest. Measure the height of the chair from the floor behind the chair to the top of the backrest. Increase the measurements by 1 inch. Write down both measurements.
- 3
  Sketch the measurements on paper to get a clear picture of the pattern pieces. There are four pieces: the seat, leg skirt, front back and rear back. Cut the pieces out of fabric with scissors.
- 4
  Lay the chair front piece on top of the chair back piece so the right sides are together. Pin the pieces together, and sew a 1/2-inch seam around the sides and top of the cover to create a pocket, using a sewing machine filled with coordinating thread. Clip the corners with scissors to reduce bulk, and turn the cover so the right side faces out.
- 5
  Pin the seat piece to the lower front edge of the back pocket cover so the right sides are together. Sew the seat to the back with a 1/2-inch seam.
- 6
  Hem short edges of the leg skirt by turning 1/4 inch of the fabric to the wrong side and pressing the fabric with an iron to hold in place. Turn the edge under another 1/4 inch, and press to hold in place. Sew close to the inside fold with a straight stitch.
- 7
  Pin the raw edge of the leg skirt to the seat cover and the rear edge of the back pocket so the right sides are together. Match the hemmed short ends of the skirt at the middle of the back pocket so they overlap about 1/2 inch.
- 8
  Place the slipcover over the chair. Hem the bottom edge by turning the 1/4 inch of the fabric to the wrong side and pinning it to hold in place. Turn the fabric under another 1/2 inch, or the amount needed so the cover is about half off the floor surface.
- 9
  Remove the cover from the folding chair, and sew the hem close to the inside turned edge.

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