Chair Back Covers for Christmas

DIY Christmas chair covers are a lifesaver for budget decorators, especially if you have an open concept living space. These DIY chair back covers cost less than $20 to make, and they really added elegance to our eating area turning our plain kitchen set into a elegant Christmas dining room. At least I think so.

As my Christmas theme is white these chair covers are done in white fabric, but of course you can use any fabric you love. If you love the look of white, I suggest using it with a washable white fabric. Although white shows the dirt it is easy to clean with bleach and hot water.

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Please take a minute and check out the next image. Imagine this same table set without the chair covers. Functional and solid and quite nice, but its certainly not elegant or festive. With the open space living area I think its well worth the evening it took to sew all of these. You will spend more time on the first one and the rest zip together very quickly.  The tutorial is longer and more detailed than maybe necessary but this is a really great project for a new sewer as all the seams are straight and there is no pattern required.
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How to Sew DIY Chair Covers

Chair Cover Supplies

Sizing the DIY Chair Covers

The amount of fabric you need depends on the size of your chairs, and how many covers you want to make. So lets start by measuring the chairs.

To help you visualize their is only ONE piece of fabric per chair. The fabric folds over the top of each chair and is sewn down the sides. So easy, and no pattern needed.

As chairs come in various sizes here is how to figure the measurements for your chairs. Hint: If your wanting to be careful, you can start by cutting paper to double check your measurements before using the fabric.

Find Fabric Width

Width of chair + Chair thickness (x2 for each side) + 2″ for Seams

Our chairs and are 16 inches wide and 1.5 inches thick.

16″ for width + 1.5″ +1.5″ for the two edges, plus 2″ for seams. So my fabric is cut 21 inches wide.

Find Fabric Length

Likely you can cut your fabric to 35″ long. If you have really short back chairs, you may want to shorten the fabric. Use a measuring tape and measure from where you want the chair cover to start on the front of your chair, go over the top measure to where you want the point to be on the back. Then add 1 inch for seams.

Cutting the Fabric

Prewash and iron your fabric. 

Cut into rectangle. Mine is 21″ wide and 35″ long.

Hemming the Fabric Edges

We will make a simple rolled seam on each narrow (21″) end.

Place the fabric good side down. Fold the material over 1/2″ and then 1″.  Press well and sew with a 5/8″ seam. Repeat at the other end. Pinning first is optional.
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For the two long edges do a zig zag stitch to finish the edges and prevent fraying.

Sewing the Chair Covers Triangle End
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To find the center of your fabric lengthwise. Fold you material in half lengthwise. Line the two edges up and make a small mark where center is. (It will be about 10.5″) This will be the point of your Christmas chair cover.g

With one hand hold the  center and with the other fold over the corner into the middle of the fabric forming a triangle.  Repeat on the other side.  Press well.

Once the triangle if folded add the string for the ornament.

Cut a piece of string about 4 inches long and tie a knot in the end.  Place this thread with one inch past the point of your triangle and lie the remaining portion along one of your side seams.
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Press very well and then sew a 5/8″ seam along the outer two sides of the triangle. 

You will now have a triangle with the point at the bottom of your chair cover and the string at the point to allow you to hang an embellishment. But the central seam isn’t connected. The next picture illustrates what I mean.

In order to sew the central seam of the triangle closed and not show through the front of the chair fold it open.

Flip the chair cover over then line up the two central seams. Sew as narrow as possible seam. This will hold the triangle shape.

Turn your fabric right side out and place the good side down.  The seam will be on the inside of the triangle.

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Sewing the Envelope Cover

With the fabric good side up, fold the second hemmed edge towards the triangle. Place the edge so that it meets the top corner of the triange.

Sew both long seams along both  sides forming the envelope. Stop when you reach the end of the folded over material.  Do not sew onto the triangle portion.  Turn right side out, press and place on your chair.

DIY Chair Cover Video Update

When I reviewed this chair cover post I thought a video would help illustrate the simple process for sewing this chair cover made from one piece of fabric.

I really like how these dress up my plain kitchen table for the holidays.    As they are white and have the hangar at the bottom I will be able to use them any time of year I like by adding a simple little dollar store ornament to the bottom.  Say an easter egg or a red valentine.  White is just so versatile.

For Christmas I am happy with how they chair covers tie the looks of my rooms together. I have been very busy the last month or so creating various tutorials for adding some style to your decor for Christmas.   I hope I have inspired you to add some out of the ordinary ideas to your holiday home as well.

Want to Make this for Yourself or as a Gift? Pin it !

Other Easy to Sew Projects for the Home