Dining chair covers can transform the look of your dining space, offering both style and protection.
Whether you’re looking to refresh an outdated set of chairs or want to preserve the fabric from spills and stains, chair covers are a practical and aesthetic solution.
In this guide, we’ll explore the various types of dining chair covers available, the materials to consider, and step-by-step instructions on how to make dining chair covers. With a little creativity and some basic sewing skills, you can enhance your dining experience while adding a personal touch to your furnishings.
Benefits of Dining Chair Covers
Dining chair covers provide numerous advantages that go beyond mere aesthetics. Firstly, they protect the upholstery from everyday wear and tear, including spills, stains, and fading caused by sunlight. This preservation not only extends the lifespan of your chairs but also saves you money on potential reupholstering or replacement.
Additionally, chair covers can be easily removed and cleaned, making maintenance hassle-free, especially in households with children or pets. Beyond protection, they allow for effortless style updates; you can change the appearance of your dining area seasonally or for special occasions by simply swapping covers.
Lastly, chair covers provide a customizable option, enabling you to experiment with colours, patterns, and textures to match your decor and express your personal style.
Different Types of Fabric Suitable for Dining Chair Covers
When selecting fabric for dining chair covers, it’s essential to consider durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Here are some popular fabric options:
- Cotton: Known for its breathability and comfort, cotton is a versatile choice that comes in a wide array of colours and patterns. It’s machine washable, making it easy to clean, though it may require more frequent washing depending on usage.
- Linen: With its natural, casual look, linen adds a touch of elegance to dining chairs. While it wrinkles easily, many appreciate its textured appearance. Linen is also durable but typically needs dry cleaning for maintenance.
- Polyester: This synthetic fabric is highly durable and resistant to stains and fading, making it ideal for high-use areas. Polyester fabrics can mimic the look of natural fibres while being low-maintenance.
- Canvas: Heavy-duty and sturdy, canvas is perfect for those seeking maximum durability. It’s easy to clean and withstands wear and tear well, making it a practical choice for households with children or pets.
- Velvet: For a luxurious touch, consider velvet. This plush fabric adds depth and texture, although it may require more upkeep to maintain its appearance, as it can attract dust and lint.
Each fabric type offers unique benefits, and the right choice will depend on your specific needs, lifestyle, and design preferences.
10 Methods How to Make Dining Chair Covers
1. Measure Your Chairs Properly
Before starting, it’s essential to measure your dining chairs accurately to ensure a snug fit for your covers. Use a tape measure to determine the height, width, and depth of the chair back, seat, and legs.
Additionally, take note of any armrests or unique features that may affect the pattern design. Write down all measurements and double-check them to ensure precision. Having accurate measurements will help you choose the right amount of fabric and ensure that your covers fit well without sagging or being too tight.
2. Choose the Right Fabric
Selecting the appropriate fabric is crucial for both the appearance and durability of your dining chair covers. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. If you’re going for a formal or elegant look, opt for fabrics like velvet or satin. For a more casual or everyday look, cotton, linen, or polyester blends work well. When choosing fabric, also consider its functionality.
If you have children or pets, stain-resistant, washable, or water-repellent fabrics are a good option. Make sure to buy enough fabric based on the size of your chairs and the pattern you intend to create.
3. Create a Simple Pattern
If you are new to sewing or making chair covers, starting with a simple pattern is recommended. A basic slipcover consists of pieces for the chair back, seat, and sometimes the legs or skirt. You can create your own pattern by laying your fabric over the chair and cutting out pieces that match its shape.
Alternatively, you can find chair cover patterns online or purchase pre-made ones from a fabric store. Mark each piece of fabric according to your pattern with fabric chalk, which will help guide you as you cut and sew.
4. Sew the Pieces Together
Once you have cut out your fabric pieces, it’s time to sew them together. Begin by sewing the chair back pieces, then move on to the seat and other sections. Use straight stitches for a clean and sturdy finish, ensuring that all seams are aligned properly. If you’re experienced with sewing, you may want to use a sewing machine to speed up the process, but hand sewing is also a viable option for those without a machine.
Be sure to reinforce high-stress areas such as the corners of the seat and backrest. Press the seams with an iron for a polished, professional look.
5. Add Elastic or Ties for a Secure Fit
To ensure that your dining chair covers stay in place, consider adding elastic or ties around the bottom edges. Elastic bands can be sewn into the hem of the cover’s bottom edge, allowing it to fit snugly around the seat.
For a more decorative option, fabric ties can be attached to the back of the cover, adding a charming touch while securing it to the chair. This step helps prevent the cover from slipping or shifting, especially when people are sitting and moving on the chairs.
6. Add a Skirt for a Classic Look
If you want to give your dining chair covers a more traditional or elegant appearance, consider adding a skirt. A skirted chair cover hides the legs of the chair and adds a graceful, flowing look to the overall design. To add a skirt, measure the length from the seat to the floor and cut fabric accordingly.
Attach the skirt to the main cover by sewing it around the bottom edge of the seat cover. You can opt for pleats, gathers, or a smooth skirt depending on the style you prefer. A skirted chair cover is especially ideal for formal dining rooms.
7. Use Velcro or Zippers for Easy Removal
To make your dining chair covers easy to remove for cleaning or changing, add Velcro strips or a zipper to the back of the cover. Velcro is a quick and convenient option, as you can simply press the two pieces together and easily pull them apart when needed.
Zippers provide a more secure closure, ensuring that the cover stays firmly in place. Both options make it easy to take the cover off for washing, which is particularly useful for families with young children or pets who may cause spills or stains.
8. Consider a Reversible Design
For added versatility and variety, consider making reversible dining chair covers. A reversible design allows you to change the look of your chairs without needing to create multiple covers.
Choose two complementary fabrics that coordinate with your dining room decor. Sew the pieces together with the right sides of both fabrics facing inward, leaving an opening for turning the cover inside out.
After sewing, turn the cover right side out and close the opening with a hidden stitch. With a reversible cover, you can quickly switch between two looks depending on the occasion or season.
9. Add Decorative Elements
Once you’ve completed the basic chair cover, adding decorative elements can give your dining chair covers a personalized and stylish touch. Consider adding embellishments like buttons, bows, or fabric trim to enhance the overall design. For a rustic look, you could add burlap accents or lace details for a more delicate, vintage feel.
If you want a festive or seasonal look, use themed fabrics and add decorations like tassels or appliques. These decorative details can elevate your chair covers from simple to eye-catching statement pieces in your dining room.
10. Maintain and Care for the Covers
Once your dining chair covers are complete, it’s essential to maintain and care for them properly. Depending on the fabric you’ve chosen, you may need to wash the covers regularly, especially if they’re prone to spills and stains. Always follow the fabric care instructions to prevent shrinkage or damage.
For easy-to-clean materials like cotton or polyester, machine washing in cold water is usually sufficient. If your covers are made of more delicate materials like silk or velvet, you may need to spot-clean or dry-clean them. Regular care will keep your chair covers looking fresh and extend their lifespan.
Conclusion
Making your own dining chair covers is an excellent way to protect your chairs while adding a personal, stylish touch to your dining room decor. From taking precise measurements and choosing the right fabric to adding functional features like zippers and decorative details, creating custom chair covers is a rewarding DIY project.
Thanks for reading, and we hope this has given you some inspiration on how to make dining chair covers!
