How to Make Slipcovers for a Computer Chair

Preparation

• 1

  Make the slipcover back pattern piece first. Measure the back of your computer chair from the back of the seat cushion to the top of the backrest. Add 2 inches to this number for seam allowances. Draw a straight perpendicular line on the newspaper this length. Write "place on fold" along this line. Measure across the widest part of the backrest from side to side. Press the tape measure along the curvature of the backrest to allow your slipcover space to curve with the chair. Add 2 inches to this number for seam allowances. Draw a horizontal line this length on the newspaper across the top of your first line to make a "T". Make sure the exact center of the horizontal line is positioned at the top of the "T".

• 2

  Make the seat cover pattern piece. Measure the widest part of the seat cushion from side to side. Add 2 inches to this number. Draw a line on the newspaper this length. Measure from the front center to the back center of the seat cushion. Add 2 inches to this number. Draw a line this length on the newspaper that dissects the first line so that you have a "plus" sign. Connect the outer points of your "plus" sign to make a square shape.

• 3

  Make the arm covering pattern piece. Draw a line on the newspaper the same length as the seat cushion front-to-back line. Write "arm piece side seam" along that line. Measure from the side of the seat cushion to the center of the top of the arm rest. Add 1 inch to this number. Draw a perpendicular line on the newspaper beginning at the center of your first line. Draw two more perpendicular lines at each end of the first line so it looks like a large capital "E" on the newspaper. Draw a parallel line at the end of the three shorter lines to complete a rectangle shape. Write "place on fold" along your last line.

• 4

  Make the slipcover skirt pattern piece. Measure from the edge of the seat cushion to the floor. Add 2 inches to this number. Draw a long rectangle on the newspaper with the two short ends this length and the two long sides as long as the seat cushion front-to-back measurement plus the seat cushion side-to-side measurement. Write "place on fold" along one of the short ends of the rectangle.

• 5

  Cut the pattern pieces out of the newspaper.

• 6

  Lay the pattern pieces on the fabric and pin them in place. Make sure you place the slipcover skirt and armrest pattern pieces on the fold of the fabric. You will need one back (on the fold); two arm pieces (both on the fold); one seat piece and one skirt piece.

• 7

  Cut the fabric along the pattern pieces.

Assembly

• 8

  Pin the seat cover back to one edge of the slipcover back, right sides together. Machine stitch 1/2 inch from the edges.

• 9

  Pin the sides of the seat cover to the sides of the armrest cover pieces, right sides together. Machine stitch a half inch from the edges.

• 10

  Pin the sides of the slipcover back, right sides together, from the top down as far as the arms of the chair. You will need to measure the chair from the top of the backrest to the point where the armrests meet, and then mark the fabric accordingly. Machine stitch 1/2 inch from the edges.

• 11

  Pin the back edge of each arm rest piece to the front of the slipcover back, right sides together. Open the side seam of the slipcover back and continue pinning the armrest cover to the back, across the back side seams and on to the bottom of the back piece. Machine stitch 1/2 inch from the edges.

• 12

  Turn under the edges of the slipcover skirt at the short ends 1/4 inch. Press in place. Turn under another 1/4 inch and pin in place. Machine stitch close to the edge.

• 13

  Pin the slipcover skirt to the rest of the slipcover, right sides together, beginning at the back of the slipcover. Overlap the ends of the slipcover skirt at the back. Machine stitch 1/2 inch from the edges.

• 14

  Place the slipcover over the chair, wrong side out. Pin the fabric together at any curved corners of the chair and mark sewing lines directly on the fabric with the fabric marker.

• 15

  Remove the slipcover from the chair, and machine stitch curves along the lines you marked. Cut the extra fabric away.

• 16

  Hem the bottom of the slipcover.