Dining Chair Slipcovers

If you have kids you know exactly what I mean when I say a kitchen table and chairs are one of the dirtiest places in the house.  Of course it's also the best because this is where we eat three times a day, play play dough, paint, make sugar cookies, play cards and a about a hundred other things that I enjoy doing with my family. 

So for a while now I've thought about how I can cut down on the cleaning in this space of my home.  It's always filthy.  The table has gunk glued to it, the spindles of the chairs look like something is growing on them and on any given day I can usually sweep up enough crumbs and food off the floor to create another meal entirely!

I don't care for seat cushions but I thought and thought and finally thought up a way to cut down on the grime at the table.  I created slip covers for the chairs that I could just pull off and wash at a moments notice!  This is especially great for the nights we have company.  Or I can leave them off all together but they are so neat I don't think I will =)

I have 6 chairs and the backs measured 16in across by 15 in tall.  So my fabric guidelines will based on this. This was a pretty simple project so I don't have many pictures of the "process" but I'm pretty sure you'll get it.

Here is what you will need:

3 yds fabric
Sewing machine (you may be able to make these with fabric glue but since I'm a sewer I don't know any no-sew methods sorry)
Scissors

Step 1:  When you get your fabric it will be folded in half.  This is how it's wrapped on the bolt.  You will add 1in to each of your measurements for seams.  I made a 3 in ruffle on mine so you will subtract 3in from your length first. Then add 1in for seam allowance.  So 15in-3in+1in= 13in.  Now measure 13in and cut long ways all the way down your fabric.  Set the raw edge piece aside.  You will use this for your ruffles.

Step 2: Take the fabric with the fold and you will make six 17in cuts all the way down your fabric keeping the fold in tact.  To cut down on sewing I am using the fold as the top of the slipcover.  Now you will only need to sew a strait stitch down each side leaving the bottom open. 

Okay hopefully you can see the each side has been stitched up and the top is the folded part.  Now the ruffle.

Step 3: Making the ruffle.  The open part of your slip cover will measure 16in.  But to get the ruffle all the way around you will have to double that for both sides.  So now were at 32in.  You will want your ruffle to be one and a half the length of your opening.  So 32in+16in=48in.  Now that long piece you cut in the beginning from the bottom of your fabric you will need to cut into 6 48in sections that are 4in wide.

Step 4:  Start by folding over one side about 1/4in and press with the iron.  Then fold again another 1/4in and stitch to make a nice finished hem/edge.  Run a strait stitch about 1/4in down one side of your 48in strip.  Only back stitch the start.  At the other end leave a couple inches of thread when you cut it off.  You will pull the back side of the thread to "gather" your ruffle.  You want your finished ruffle to measure 32.5in or so.  Remember to account for seam allowance!  Tie off the unfinished end and now you will stitch the two ends together.  It will look like a ruffle skirt with a big opening.

Step 5: Turn your slipcover right side out and keep your ruffle inside out.  Slip your ruffle over the open end of your slipcover so that both raw edges meet up.  Sew about 1/4in from the edge to attach your ruffle to the bottom.  Flip ruffle right side down and iron flat.  Your done!  That's it.  Now you can embellish or iron on some pretty stuff like I did.  Get out your fabric paint, whatever melts your heart =)