How to Slipcover a Dining Chair

Cut length of cotton cording to measurement. Cut the same length of fabric in 3” wide strips to use to cover cotton cording. These fabric strips should be cut at an angle or “on the bias”, so it lies flat when sewn. If necessary, sew shorter pieces together to have lengths long enough to cover cotton cording. Press seams open with an iron, so they lie flat. Wrap fabric around cotton cording and sew into place with a sewing machine equipped with a zipper foot. Tip: Make sure fabric is a good weight for your sewing machine. With the piping and ruffled skirt, it will be sewing through several layers of fabric, so a heavy-duty upholstery machine will be required for certain fabrics.

Cut length of cotton cording to measurement. Cut the same length of fabric in 3” wide strips to use to cover cotton cording. These fabric strips should be cut at an angle or “on the bias”, so it lies flat when sewn. If necessary, sew shorter pieces together to have lengths long enough to cover cotton cording. Press seams open with an iron, so they lie flat. Wrap fabric around cotton cording and sew into place with a sewing machine equipped with a zipper foot. Tip: Make sure fabric is a good weight for your sewing machine. With the piping and ruffled skirt, it will be sewing through several layers of fabric, so a heavy-duty upholstery machine will be required for certain fabrics.

Cut length of cotton cording to measurement. Cut the same length of fabric in 3” wide strips to use to cover cotton cording. These fabric strips should be cut at an angle or “on the bias”, so it lies flat when sewn. If necessary, sew shorter pieces together to have lengths long enough to cover cotton cording. Press seams open with an iron, so they lie flat. Wrap fabric around cotton cording and sew into place with a sewing machine equipped with a zipper foot. Tip: Make sure fabric is a good weight for your sewing machine. With the piping and ruffled skirt, it will be sewing through several layers of fabric, so a heavy-duty upholstery machine will be required for certain fabrics.

Cut a piece of fabric that is long and wide enough to cover three front sides of each chair and one for each back (the space between chair back braces). Allow 1” seam allowance on all sides. Sew pieces together in order to make one long length, if necessary. Position seat top face down on chair. Hem end of side piece of fabric where it is against chair back brace, so raw edges are not exposed. Pin top to sides, sandwiching piping in between. Finished piping side should be inside; facing chair seat, and all raw edges should be pointing out, since slipcover is being assembled inside out. Leave back, between chair back braces, unpinned at this step.

Cut a piece of fabric that is long and wide enough to cover three front sides of each chair and one for each back (the space between chair back braces). Allow 1” seam allowance on all sides. Sew pieces together in order to make one long length, if necessary. Position seat top face down on chair. Hem end of side piece of fabric where it is against chair back brace, so raw edges are not exposed. Pin top to sides, sandwiching piping in between. Finished piping side should be inside; facing chair seat, and all raw edges should be pointing out, since slipcover is being assembled inside out. Leave back, between chair back braces, unpinned at this step.

Cut a piece of fabric that is long and wide enough to cover three front sides of each chair and one for each back (the space between chair back braces). Allow 1” seam allowance on all sides. Sew pieces together in order to make one long length, if necessary. Position seat top face down on chair. Hem end of side piece of fabric where it is against chair back brace, so raw edges are not exposed. Pin top to sides, sandwiching piping in between. Finished piping side should be inside; facing chair seat, and all raw edges should be pointing out, since slipcover is being assembled inside out. Leave back, between chair back braces, unpinned at this step.

Where the end of the side edge meets the seat back, fold end over and trim, so there is no exposed raw edge. The piping is now hanging out and needs to continue around the back and meet up with a new piece of fabric to cover space between back braces of chair. Pin piping around back brace, making sure it’s tight against the frame. While pinning, trim excess fabric allowance to reduce bulk and make edges line up cleanly.

Where the end of the side edge meets the seat back, fold end over and trim, so there is no exposed raw edge. The piping is now hanging out and needs to continue around the back and meet up with a new piece of fabric to cover space between back braces of chair. Pin piping around back brace, making sure it’s tight against the frame. While pinning, trim excess fabric allowance to reduce bulk and make edges line up cleanly.

Where the end of the side edge meets the seat back, fold end over and trim, so there is no exposed raw edge. The piping is now hanging out and needs to continue around the back and meet up with a new piece of fabric to cover space between back braces of chair. Pin piping around back brace, making sure it’s tight against the frame. While pinning, trim excess fabric allowance to reduce bulk and make edges line up cleanly.

Where the end of the side edge meets the seat back, fold end over and trim, so there is no exposed raw edge. The piping is now hanging out and needs to continue around the back and meet up with a new piece of fabric to cover space between back braces of chair. Pin piping around back brace, making sure it’s tight against the frame. While pinning, trim excess fabric allowance to reduce bulk and make edges line up cleanly.

Add piece of fabric to cover back, between chair back braces, in same manner described in steps two and three. Fold raw edges back and pin to seat, sandwiching piping. Where the ends of piping meet, just cross the ends and let them “disappear” into the seam. Sew along pins, removing them along the way. Try slipcover on to ensure proper fit.

Add piece of fabric to cover back, between chair back braces, in same manner described in steps two and three. Fold raw edges back and pin to seat, sandwiching piping. Where the ends of piping meet, just cross the ends and let them “disappear” into the seam. Sew along pins, removing them along the way. Try slipcover on to ensure proper fit.

Add piece of fabric to cover back, between chair back braces, in same manner described in steps two and three. Fold raw edges back and pin to seat, sandwiching piping. Where the ends of piping meet, just cross the ends and let them “disappear” into the seam. Sew along pins, removing them along the way. Try slipcover on to ensure proper fit.

Turn slipcover inside out and place on chair again. Pin piping that will run along bottom edge of chair side, where skirt will be attached. Where piping ends, fold over the underside of slipcover to hide raw edge. Sew it on and remove pins.

Turn slipcover inside out and place on chair again. Pin piping that will run along bottom edge of chair side, where skirt will be attached. Where piping ends, fold over the underside of slipcover to hide raw edge. Sew it on and remove pins.

Turn slipcover inside out and place on chair again. Pin piping that will run along bottom edge of chair side, where skirt will be attached. Where piping ends, fold over the underside of slipcover to hide raw edge. Sew it on and remove pins.

Turn slipcover inside out and place on chair again. Pin piping that will run along bottom edge of chair side, where skirt will be attached. Where piping ends, fold over the underside of slipcover to hide raw edge. Sew it on and remove pins.

Cut a piece of fabric about 6” wide and at least double the measurement of the chair’s perimeter. The longer the fabric, the fuller the skirt will be. Again, sew smaller pieces of fabric together to make one, long strip. Fold strip of skirt fabric length-wise, with right side facing out, and press to create a crease. Pinch skirt in a ruffle and pin to the bottom of slipcover, along lower piping. Make sure raw edges are facing in the same direction. Skirt may be pinned in place and then sewn or it can be ruffled as it’s being fed into sewing machine.

Cut a piece of fabric about 6” wide and at least double the measurement of the chair’s perimeter. The longer the fabric, the fuller the skirt will be. Again, sew smaller pieces of fabric together to make one, long strip. Fold strip of skirt fabric length-wise, with right side facing out, and press to create a crease. Pinch skirt in a ruffle and pin to the bottom of slipcover, along lower piping. Make sure raw edges are facing in the same direction. Skirt may be pinned in place and then sewn or it can be ruffled as it’s being fed into sewing machine.

Cut a piece of fabric about 6” wide and at least double the measurement of the chair’s perimeter. The longer the fabric, the fuller the skirt will be. Again, sew smaller pieces of fabric together to make one, long strip. Fold strip of skirt fabric length-wise, with right side facing out, and press to create a crease. Pinch skirt in a ruffle and pin to the bottom of slipcover, along lower piping. Make sure raw edges are facing in the same direction. Skirt may be pinned in place and then sewn or it can be ruffled as it’s being fed into sewing machine.

Cut grosgrain ribbons to approximately 18” each, four for each chair. Tuck ribbon into hem where slipcover meets chair back. Fold ribbon over and sew into place on underside of slipcover. Sew zigzags to secure ribbon, similar to a “seat belt” stitch. Repeat with other three ties for each chair. Add no-fray glue to bottom edge of each ribbon to prevent fraying. Trim all threads and press skirt before installing on each chair.

Cut grosgrain ribbons to approximately 18” each, four for each chair. Tuck ribbon into hem where slipcover meets chair back. Fold ribbon over and sew into place on underside of slipcover. Sew zigzags to secure ribbon, similar to a “seat belt” stitch. Repeat with other three ties for each chair. Add no-fray glue to bottom edge of each ribbon to prevent fraying. Trim all threads and press skirt before installing on each chair.

Cut grosgrain ribbons to approximately 18” each, four for each chair. Tuck ribbon into hem where slipcover meets chair back. Fold ribbon over and sew into place on underside of slipcover. Sew zigzags to secure ribbon, similar to a “seat belt” stitch. Repeat with other three ties for each chair. Add no-fray glue to bottom edge of each ribbon to prevent fraying. Trim all threads and press skirt before installing on each chair.

Dining chairs are the perfect candidates for slipcovers, since they have simple shapes and are most likely to be the victim of food spills! Washable slipcovers with flirty skirts and ties add function and some feminine style to any eating space.