By Carol Duvall
This isn't a new idea, but I've seen so many of these advertised in catalogs lately, it seemed like a good time to present our own versions . . . all three of them. Though the colors I used are all rather low key, there is no reason these couldn't be made to look more festive than formal by simply using a brilliantly-colored fabric or a check or plaid. The idea of a black and red check appeals to me, but using an all over print is certainly easier than trying to keep everything straight with checks. Most often, I've seen these advertised around the holidays for "party time," but these can add just as much pizzazz to a fun summer gathering. Materials: You will need fabric, of course, but the amount required depends on the size of your chair as well as whether you will be covering the entire chair back or making only a topper. Our pillow slip version uses even less fabric. Steps: 1. Cut TWO pieces of fabric for each chair cover plus fabric strips for the ties. To determine the size of the two pieces that will cover the back of the chair, measure the height and width of the chair back. Measure from the chair seat to the highest point on the chair back. Double that number. To that number, add the approximated thickness of the chair back, which will most likely be around two inches. To this total, add one inch for a hem on each piece (totaling two inches). In order to take a 1/2-inch seam at the top, add another one inch. Divide this number in half and you will have the length of each of the two pieces. For the width of each piece, measure around the chair back at its widest part using a tape measure. Add one inch for the two 1/2-inch seams. Divide that number in half for the width of each piece. 2. Round off the top corners on each of the two pieces of fabric. This is not necessary, but it usually makes the slip covers look nicer. 3. Take a hem at one end of each piece by folding the fabric back 1/4 inch, folding another 3/4 inch and stitching (figure A). 4. For the bows on our chair cover, I cut two 10" x 46" pieces of fabric. On both sides of each length and along one end, take a 1/2-inch seam by folding the fabric over 1/4 inch and then 1/4 inch again and stitching (figure B). NOTE: These ties are single sided. If you want both sides to be the same so you do not have to worry about wrong sides facing when you tie the bow, cut FOUR matching lengths. Stack two pieces together with wrong sides facing for each tie and stitch together taking a 1/2-inch seam along the two sides and one end. Turn right side out and press. 5. Place one of the pieces for the chair back cover wrong side up on the tabletop and place one of the ties in position ALMOST at the top of the chair back. Place the unstitched end of the tie along the raw edge of the chair back with the tie ON the fabric, not extending out from it. Fold it at an angle so it will hang down on the inside of the back and will not extend out the other side (figure C). Repeat on the other side edge of the chair back with the other tie back. Place the remaining chair back cover panel on top of all this. Line up the sides and top so they match perfectly and stitch everything together up one side, across the top and down the other side, taking a half-inch seam. Turn right side out. Everything SHOULD be in place! 6. Press the chair cover and ties, place in position and tie a large bow. NOTE: This technique can also be used on folding chairs. Just be certain to measure the chair back at the bottom where it is the widest when determining the width of the panels. Shorty chair back This was made like the full-sized cover, except I measured only part way down the chair back to get the length. The ties are the same size. Pillow case chair cover Again, this chair back cover was on the conservative side, but pillow cases also come in bright colors and wild prints and, of course, the ties do not have to match. Steps: 1. Make ties as you did for the other covers, but this time hem all four sides. These too, can be single- or double-sided. 2. Flatten out the pillow case right side out and place the 1/4-inch hem of one end of a tie along the side seam. Pin to hold and sew together, sewing in the pillow case seam. There is no seam on the other side, so use the fold as your guide and stitch in a matching manner. Done!
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