My Dining Chair Covers Won't Fit Over the Top

Dining room chair slipcovers are becoming more common as the relaxed slipcover style gains popularity. Unfortunately, some furniture stores sell covers for their chairs that will fit the chairs straight from the box but will not fit once the slipcovers have been laundered. This may happen because the manufacturer of the slipcover did not pre-launder the fabric to remove the fabric sizing. When a homeowner later washes the cover, she may discover that the cover has shrunk and no longer fits properly on the chair. You may be able to remedy this situation if you can sew and if the cover has ample seam allowances. Some stores may allow you to return the shrunken slipcovers for a larger size.

Seam ripper
Pins
Scissors
Sewing machine
Fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Place the slipcover over the top of the chair and locate the point on the cover where the cover no longer fits. If it appears that the entire cover is too small, use a seam ripper to separate all of the seams. Open the hem if the cover is too short. Remove all the loose threads, then iron the pieces of the cover so that they are flat.
- 2
  Drape the cover pieces on the chair facedown in the position where they should fit and pin the pieces together. If your cover has ample seam allowances you may be able to let the cover out through this process to a size that will fit. Allow for a 1/4-inch seam allowance on all seams.
- 3
  Sew the cover back together along the pinned seams. Hem last after fitting the new cover over the chair and checking the hem height. You can also add material or replace material to allow for additional fabric portions. Remember to prewash any fabric you wish to use to prevent shrinkage in the future.

How to Recane Antique Ladder Back Chairs

How to Pick Fabric for Upholstering Traditional Chairs

Chairs