Tartan DIY Chair Covers Refresh an Old Table for Christmas
These DIY Christmas chair covers are a last-minute attempt to fix up our dining room table. I still love the table as the middle leaf flips so there is no table leaf to deal with. Unfortunately, the chair finish is wearing off making my set look very tired and out of place in our open floor plan home.
It’s a ridiculously exciting and busy time of the year so I wanted to make something fast and not too elaborate to cover the dining chairs. The bright red tartan is perfect for Christmas, the strong pattern distracts from the worn chairs, especially with the extra large bows on the back. These diy chair covers worked as a quick solution until I could refinish the table set.
How to Make DIY Christmas Chair Covers with Sashes
Christmas Chair Cover Supplies
There aren’t many supplies for these chair covers, but the sashes use up some material. To make these simple chair covers you will need
1.5 meters (yards) of fabric 54 inches wide for each chair. How much fabric you use may be less as my chairs are high backs.
Felt pens
See-through large garbage bags (I used blue recycling bags)
Scissors, pins, and a sewing machine.
Step One – Prepare the Fabric
Start by washing, drying, and ironing all the fabric. I know it’s a pain when we’re rushed and want to get something made. But, shrinkage can drastically affect the final quality of your sewing project. Don’t skip this step.
Step Two – Creating the Custom-Sized Pattern
Chair Back Cover Pattern
There is a large variety of chairs in various shapes and sizes so my chair covers may not fit yours depending on the size of your chair. I came up with an easy fast way to figure out the chair cover size without taking a bunch of measurements, Begin by using a large see-through bag, I used a large blue recycling garbage bag or mine. The bag makes it easier to visualize than measurements would and the back of the chair has curves you can make adjustments using a felt marker.
The bag will be your basic pattern for the front and back of the chair cover. Place the large garbage bag over your chair and pull it tight like a chair cover. Mark the outline of the side and hem with a jiffy marker. Remove the bag from the chair, and flatten your rough pattern on the plastic. Make sure there are no wrinkles. Pin the plastic together to hold.
Using a jiffy marker and a ruler outline one inch past the edges for the top and two side seams. Add two inches at the bottom opening for the hems. Your pattern is done.
Pin the top of your plastic pattern together, then place your plastic pattern back onto your chair,. Confirm the pattern is a good fit its good to do this before you cut the fabric.
Sashes
The sashes require a little math, but no actual pattern.
To determine the size of your sashes, measure the length of your chair cover from top to bottom. Mine was 16 inches. Divide the measurement in half (8″) and add 1 inch (9″) for seam allowance. This will be the height of your fabric pieces, the length of the sashes is determined by the full width of the material 54 inches. If your material is a bit wider or narrower it’s fine, it will just affect the length of the tails on the sash bow.
Step Three – Cutting the Fabric
Lay your fabric out right sides together. Place the pattern for the cover on one end, ensuring that you have room for four strips of fabric the entire width of your fabric. In my case, I needed 18 inches along the 54-inch width side.
Once you have the pattern placed, pin it securely between both layers of fabric. Cut out the pattern (giving you a front and a back) Cut out TWO strips (9 by 54 inches) resulting in four strips for the sashes.
You will repeat this for each chair.
Step Four – Sewing Chair Cover
Finish the Raw Edges
Finish the edges of all your cut fabric pieces. Sew around all the material edges with a serger or a zig-zag stitch, this will prevent unraveling and loose threads.
Sew the Sashes
Line up your sash fabric’s right sides together, and pin it in place. Sew the two long seams and one short seam, with a one-inch seam allowance leaving the remaining short seam open.
Once sewn turn right side out. Push the corners out as much as possible. Iron.
Hem the Chair Cover Pieces
Place one of the chair back pieces right side down. Fold the bottom edge up one inch, and press. Fold it up once more creating a hem. Sew along the edge, either by hand to make it invisible or with the machine. Repeat for the second back piece.
Assembling the Christmas Chair Covers
You want to ensure the bows are on the outside of the chair cover.
Place one of the hemmed squares right side up on the table. Find the center of the side seams and the sashes. Align the center of the sash with the center of the chair back seam. Refer to the image above for placement. Once you have the sash in place, cover it with the second piece of right side side down. Pin everything in place.
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 Place your see-through pattern on top and confirm the chair cover dimensions are good.
Sew all three sides with a one-inch seam allowance.
Turn right side out, Place on the chair, and tie the sash.
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Hope you love these chair covers as much as I do.
Like this project idea? Please pin it for later!
White DIY Chair Covers
These are the same chairs as the pictures with the tartan covers. I have since restained my table and chairs, and created the easy-to-make bright white DIY white chair covers to coordinate with my calm and bright Christmas decor theme.
DIY Christmas Cushions of Many Kinds
Here are several different styles of homemade DIY Christmas cushions I made to match the red tartan DIY chair covers. If you love to sew or need coordinating Christmas cushions, check this post out.
I was thinking you could use an old pillowcase and slide it over the chair back mark the excess and slit open one of the sides to use as a pattern also..just a thought.
Absolutely that would work. You know me, I look for anything handy and inexpensive. Great idea.
These are so nice, and such a great idea to use garbage bags for the pattern, Thanks for visiting “Celebrate the Season”!
I just love this idea and since you make it sound pretty simple I plan to try it in the coming year. I purchased my lovely colorful print chairs this year but for Christmas they are kind of clashing just a bit. I would have loved to had quieted them down with a solid. Brilliant idea!
These look beautiful! I love the bows.
These chair covers are gorgeous! Just wanted to stop by to let you know that we’re featuring it at our weekly link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/12/rustic-christmas-farmhouse-decor-weekly.html
Jennifer I am really happy to hear that. I feel very honoured.
I found your party recently and have enjoyed participating. Thank you so much for the feature.
These are lovely. I love Tartan 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays, you are one of this weeks features 🙂
Hi Claire: I have just recently discovered your blog and love it. The link party has some gorgeous outfits in it this week. Thank you very much for the feature. Pinch me, I am happy. Leanna
Oh my gosh Leanna, I love plaid and have used it in my family room/kitchen area. I may have to make some of these covers for next year. Love them!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Hi Jann: I hope you do make them. The tutorial outlines a general method so that it can be adjusted to your own chair size.
This is my first year for anything but white. Its a big change for me this year.
Wow! Those are really pretty, but probably way above my skill level! 😀 The pattern is really nice, I love tartan!
Hello Dara: I assure you these are super easy to make. If you have access to a sewing machine try them. I am no seamstress either.
I love tartan too, especially in skirts and at Christmas. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and provide me with positive feedback. Leanna
Leanna, these are really pretty! Pinning and sharing. 🙂
Hi Stacey: Thank you very much for both sharing and pinning. I am proud of how they turned out. Leanna
This is such a lovely way to dress up the dining room chairs for the holidays. It adds so much festivity and cheer to the room.
Hi Mary: This is the first year I have had red in my Christmas decor. I have to admit I am enjoying it much more than I thought I would.
Thanks for your feedback. Its nice to hear that your work is enjoyed. Leanna
Very cute, I do something similar at Halloween with sheer materials. But I don’t sew them, lol That is more than this busy gal can handle.
They truly look lovely,
Hi Pam. What do you do just fold the material in half? These ones needed to be deeper than i wanted the bows to be. For spring I may try your method. Did you post them?
So pretty! The garbage bag idea is genius! I have been looking for way to dress up my dining room chairs!
Hi Maureen: I was in the same situation. I like the chairs I have and didn’t have time to refinish them for the holidays. Besides I think these are more festive.
Let me know if you make them. I would like to see your version. Thanks for commenting. Leanna
These are absolutely adorable!! Found you through Amber’s Pinnable:) Thanks so much for sharing these!
Hi Randi: I am very excited to be co-hosting the party in December. I am constantly learning and meeting other new bloggers which is awesome. Thank you for letting me know you stopped by my blog. Its nice to know whose reading and liking my efforts. Leanna
How cute are these!!! Great tip using a recycle bag for a pattern (keeping that idea in the old noggin). Your eating nook looks so cozy – a great spot to enjoy a cappuccino and cookie fresh out of the oven (hint hint). Pinning and sharing 🙂
Thank you Marie. Your on, I finally got my decor done I think. Now we need some sun for nice pictures. Then I get to bake.
They are absolutely gorgeous Leanna! I am featuring them at this weeks “”You’re the Star” bog hop. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up this week.
Best wishes, Darlene
Wow Darlene is that ever wonderful. I really appreciate it. Thank you for letting me know.
These are so pretty, I do love plaid especially for the Holiday. I am pinning so I can put it on the to-do list. Great tutorial.
Hi Debra: Every style of chair is a bit different, so its impossible to do a tutorial using measurements. Using those blue see through garbage bags made a huge difference for me in designing various projects. Thank you for the pin, they don’t take very long to put together at all. Feel free to email me if you have any questions on the tutorial. Leanna