How to Make Seat Covers for Patio Chairs

Chair Cover

• 1

  Measure the body length of the patio chair from the bottom of the front leg and over the back to the bottom of the rear leg. Measure the seat width from side to side and seat length from front to back. Measure the side length from the ground on the side and over the arm to the seat. Write down the four measurements as you take them and add 2 inches to each value.

• 2

  Cut three pieces for the cover using the measurements in Step 1. There is one body piece using the body length and seat width measurements and two arm pieces using the seat length and side length measurements.

• 3

  Lay the large body piece over the chair so the short edges line up with the ground in the front and rear of the chair. Pin the arm pieces to the body at the correct area on the body, matching the right sides of the fabric together. Sew the arms to the body with a 1/2-inch seam.

• 4

  Place the cover back on the chair and pin the backrest and rear leg edges together so the right sides of the fabric are touching. Pin the front leg edges together so the right sides of the fabric are touching. Sew the edges together with a 1/2-inch seam.

• 5

  Fold the bottom edge of the cover 1/4 inch to the back side of the cover, and then fold it another 1/4 inch. Sew the hem around the bottom of the chair to hold it in place.

Seat Cushion

• 6

  Measure the width and length of the seat area on the patio chair. Add 1 inch to each measurement and write down the exact and adjusted numbers. Cut two pieces of fabric using the increased width and length measurements.

• 7

  Lay the two pieces of fabric on top of each other so the right sides are touching. Pin around the front and side edges to hold together. Sew a 1/4-inch seam around the three sides, leaving the back edge open. Turn the cover so the right sides face out.

• 8

  Cut a piece of 1-inch thick upholstery foam or two layers of thick polyester batting to the the size of the exact seat measurements. Slide the cushioning into the cover through the back opening. Fold the fabric around the rear edge 1/4 inch to the inside and pin the edge to hold in place.

• 9

  Cut four pieces of fabric to the dimension of 10 inches by 2 inches to make ties that hold the cover in place. Fold the fabric in half on the long edge and sew a 1/4-inch seam along one short edge and the long edge. Turn the tube of fabric so the right side faces out, smooth the edges and press with an iron to flatten.

• 10

  Hold the ties together in a pair for the raw edges line up. Stick the raw edges into the rear opening of the cover and pin a pair about 1 inch from each corner. Pin the top and bottom edges of the rear opening together and sew about 1/8 inch from the edge to secure the cover and ties.