07 October 2010

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 =)


21 comments:

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

These are really cute. I love the graphic on the one.

Sommer said...

Oh they all have the image on them now =) These were tons of fun, so simple and will save lots of time wiping down chairs.

Dwellings by DeVore said...

Those are adorable! Love the print!

Angie@Echoes of Laughter said...

Hi Sommer! Thanks so much for visiting me and leaving a comment! Your chair covers are awesome! What a great idea!

Anonymous said...

The chair covers turned out wonderful! Love the stencil on them... great job!
Thanks for stopping by to visit and your sweet comment... nice to meet you!
Have a great weekend!
~ Jo :)

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Hey, Sommer. I'm just popping over to see if I can help with your sprayer woes. A few things come to mind about your orange peal problem. You may be spraying too close to your piece or may be spraying too much paint. With a sprayer, it's best to apply a couple of thin coats instead of one thick coat. The quality of paint your using can also make a difference. I use very high quality (and expensive) paint from Sherwin Williams. ProClassic and Duration are my paints of choice. They do need to be watered down, so they flow well out of the sprayer.

Hope some of these ideas help. If not, shoot me an e-mail directly and I'll see if I can help any more. :)

Sommer said...

Marian your a blessing. I'm going to brave the sprayer tomorrow again and I'll make some adjustments based on your input. I thought I was spraying at a good distance but I will make sure I'm further away. I have no idea if my paint is ideal, it's Behr from Home Depot. I usually add about 3 tbsp water to my container and mix well, is that enough or not? I just based it on the guidlines from the can of paint for using a sprayer. Maybe I should stop into Sherwin williams and talk to them? I'll also be trimming the paint flow nossle. Thanks for the input. I may be bugging you again but fingers crossed!

Unknown said...

I've been dying to make these; you've inspired me to get busy. Incredible job! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I love your chair covers! I made some too!! They look great.....Kathy

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Sommer, you did such a good job. I love the stencil you chose too! They look beautiful in your home.

Michelle said...

This is such a cute idea. It matches your table so well! I would love it if you would share at my link party too!
http://polkadotsandpizza.blogspot.com/

Heather said...

Those look great!!!

Jen said...

These are GORGEOUS!!!
I'm featuring this on my blog today!
Hope you don't mind!

Olivia said...

Oh my goodness I wish I could sew! I love this!
Hugs,
Olivia

Anonymous said...

Sommer - you did a beautiful job. Thanks for posting. Saw you on the Linkys and had to come over and take a peek!

Maggie
http://ceodraiocht.wordpress.com

KimMalk said...

Those are as cute as can be, and easy too. I really like the design you painted on, it makes the look more elegant.

Katie said...

So happy to see you at A Crafty Soiree! Those are so pretty and I love the decoration you picked for them. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing you next time too:)

malia said...

Sommer I LOVE this project.... I am featuring it Thursday at A Crafty Soiree. Thanks for linking up and I can't wait to see what you share this week!
xoxo Malia

cleverlyinspired said...

shared with my fb fan's...too cute!

Rachael said...

Oh my! These are to.die.for! Love the ruffle. I wish I had square back chairs. Will you share this on my new linky party this Friday? http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com

Unknown said...

These turned out great!

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