How to Slipcover a Chair the Easy Way!
Well, I want to start out by saying “Thank you” to you all you kind, observant readers who read about my green TV console makeover several weeks ago and suppressed the urge to say “What are you thinking?” about my totally mis-matched chair in the room. It’s true that the huge green presence probably distracted some of you from noticing (which was my goal), but I did show a little of it in this picture, & I’m sure some of you out there raised an eyebrow. (I know–the orange table is debatable, too. But let’s not talk about that right now.)Here’s the infamous chair in all its black & brown glory:Well, you may be happy to know that I have now successfully slipped the mis-fit & it’s much more at home now. I decided to cover the body of the chair in one of your favorites & mine: a painter’s drop cloth. I bought mine at Wal-mart for around $18 & actually only needed the one 9×12 for the entire job! If you prefer to order online, this is my affiliate link for a great deal on Amazon. I also found a wide blue stripe (Regency Regatta by Sunbrella) for the cushions. I use the “pin-to-fit” method for slipcovering, which means exactly what it says. You just start by cutting large pieces to the approximate shapes of the parts of the chair. It looks like this:Then, you iron the wrinkles out of the pieces & pin them together where it needs to be sewn. You’re basically constructing the cover inside-out & will turn it to fit after sewing.I make the flaps at the bottom by measuring the length I need from top to bottom, then doubling it, allowing for it to be folded in half for extra bulk. Sew up the sides, flip in inside out, & press with an iron to form a “pocket”. Here’s what one of the corner flaps looks like:I recommend fitting the main part of the chair first, then adding the flaps after. Keep in mind that fitting it correctly may require a lot of on & offs & trips to the sewing machine to get it the way you want it. You may also want to leave some of the seams of the cover un-sewn, then use velcro (here is my affiliate link for a great deal on the type I use) to close it tightly after & get a better fit. I used velcro on the two seams on the back of the chair & at all four of the bottom corners. I slipcovered the ottoman much the same way I did this one last year. If you’ve never done a slipcover, just know that no two ever turn out the same, and they are never perfect. At least not at my house!It does take several hours & a little bit of thinking things through, but it’s so much better than going out & spending money on a new chair.This one works so much better in our basement game & craft space. And we’re one step closer to a completed room. More fun to come!
Simply Domestic
March 1, 2011 @ 11:12 pm
You make it look sooo easy!! I love the new look!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
March 1, 2011 @ 11:32 pm
You did a great job, Julie! I don't know that I'd have the patience to do a slipcover on my own though. I do like the idea of using the dropcloths. Those things really come in handy for so much in decorating!
Sarah @ The Bird's Papaya
March 1, 2011 @ 11:39 pm
that's insane. like INSANE that you did that yourself. Way to save HUNDREDS!!
Jayna Rae
March 1, 2011 @ 11:49 pm
Great job! Well done! What a big endeavor.
This is incredibly helpful. I am about to embark on covering my sectional couch. It looks like you have the same Ikea couch, but the single version. I bought my fabric, but I am TERRIFIED to start. I need it done before July; I think that's enough time to build courage.
NanaDiana
March 2, 2011 @ 12:12 am
Julie- What a nice tutorial. I have slipcovered several things in the past…and need to do a few more! Yours looks great! Love the wide stripes! Hugs- Diana
Cindy at Some Really Neat Stuff
March 2, 2011 @ 1:06 am
I love a wide blue and white stripe with green just like you have! Great job!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
March 2, 2011 @ 2:01 am
that chair is so fun! i love those big beachy stripes! and i LOVE the new blog look! love love love it!
Tami / Maddie Lumpkin
March 2, 2011 @ 2:54 am
Thanks for sharing this.I think this is the best tutorial I've seen. I need to give slipcovering another try!
Nicole Jennings
March 2, 2011 @ 3:07 am
I'm inspired! I've got a red chair that needs a to be toned down a bit…great tutorial!
Heidi @ Honeybear Lane
March 2, 2011 @ 4:10 am
You make that look so simple! I bought a thrifted chair this week and I just pinned a white sheet to it and it looks pretty good for now. But after seeing you whip one out so fast, I have more confidence. Great job!
raddesigning
March 2, 2011 @ 4:36 am
Wow! i am super impressed! I just bought a sewing machine two days ago (20 bucks at a Goodwill auction! woot!) So i should definitely give that a whirl!
Lisa
March 2, 2011 @ 5:28 am
That looks incredible. Am I daring enough to try it?!! My mom is in desperate need of some slipcovers! Thanks for the help!
Hi, I'm Suz!!
March 2, 2011 @ 1:02 pm
I think this is the best slip cover project I've seen!! Way to go!!!
Hugs ~~ Suz
http://www.inspiringcreativeness.blogspot.com
Lois@frugaldecormom
March 2, 2011 @ 4:34 pm
Thanks for sharing! I've contemplated but have yet to find the courage and a good tutorial for me! This one is so great! Now I just need a chair to slipcover!
P.S…I really really really love your green tv console! It seriously makes my heart pitter patter! Not sure I'd ever be brave enough to go that bold in my own house though!
Gail
March 2, 2011 @ 6:32 pm
I love slipcovers. I have them on two chairs and a love seat. I had them made, though; don't think I could do that by myself. Great job!
Robin
March 3, 2011 @ 7:07 am
I love it. You did a fantastic job!
anangloinquebec
March 3, 2011 @ 12:55 pm
Great post. You have now motivated me to complete my own slipcover project. Thanks. The velcro factor is a big motivator.
LeAnne
March 4, 2011 @ 3:13 am
Beautiful job! My husband and I re-upholstered a big couch and two armchairs that we found at a garage sale a couple of years ago. They turned out great, but it took us forever. I think next time when have something to cover, I will definitely use your method and make a slipcover. Thanks for sharing! LeAnne
Shelia
March 4, 2011 @ 3:27 am
Hi Julie! Oh, my goodness, you make this sound so simple and I just know it's not! But how lovely your chair turned out to be! Love it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
southernhomesweethome
March 4, 2011 @ 3:53 am
You did a great tutorial.. don't you just love that painters drop cloth? Looks great.
Kristen
March 4, 2011 @ 4:26 am
I love that you used a drop cloth. I would have never thought of that. It turned out wonderful. I will have to remember this one.
The Pennington Point
March 4, 2011 @ 4:36 am
It's wonderful! You did a great job. Lisa~
A Vintage Vine
March 4, 2011 @ 5:05 am
I'm loving the stripes…now we all will be out making striped slipcovers!!! You just started the new trend!
Nicole@ Black Cab Designs
March 4, 2011 @ 5:15 am
Love the big stripe! A fun twist on a drop cloth makeover. Great job!
slommler
March 4, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
Fabulous! And I love seeing the how-to photos! Thanks so much!
Just popped over from Miss Mustard Seed's blog.
Hugs
SueAnn
Heather
March 4, 2011 @ 1:19 pm
Wow! Makes me want to try it! Great tutorial
Carol
March 4, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
You make it look so easy! I have a chair and the drop cloths that have been waiting for me to gather up the nerve to start. Soon!
radn
March 4, 2011 @ 10:52 pm
What a difference a slipcover makes! I totally agree with carol above. I wouldn't even try something so difficult.
http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/
Slipcovers by Shelley
March 5, 2011 @ 1:24 am
I love slipcovers too…I actually make them for a living at home. I have been in business for 11 years. Come check out some of my before and afters. http://customslipcoversbyshelley.blogspot.com
The Yellow Cape Cod
March 5, 2011 @ 12:52 pm
What a fun chair. Great post.
grateful girl
March 6, 2011 @ 1:15 am
Thank you for this tutorial! I tried this once without a tutorial…hmmm still don't have a slipcovered chair. Broke down and bought one. Now thanks to you I think I will try again!
Patti @gratefulgirlblog
sewing green lady
January 8, 2016 @ 9:18 pm
That looks fabulous! What a great idea using the drop cloth. x
Ann
October 15, 2018 @ 8:31 pm
Great tips! Love the velcro idea. Can you wash the painters cloth? Should I wash before?
Julie
October 16, 2018 @ 10:09 am
Yes- the drop cloth can be washed and it would be totally fine to wash before!
Rita
October 28, 2018 @ 8:34 pm
I was told that drop cloths shrink so washing before you cut it up may save it from not fitting later on.
Shirley
February 4, 2019 @ 2:24 pm
I am getting ready to make slipcovers for 2 new sofas. They are almost white and I want to keep them that way!
The adult grandchildren in my house would have them demolished in no time if I didn’t cover them. I have always loved this method of slipcovering but for certain chairs, it can be quite challenging. Did you also make the slipcover for the sofa? Just curious as it looks like it might be an IKEA sofa.
Jeanette Pickford
July 22, 2019 @ 9:32 am
thank you very much for a well thought out episode on slip overs. I want to do my first one. but what is a yard stick and how wide is it. sorry for the question but I am staying in South Africa and I do not know what a yard stick is.
thank you once again Jeanette Pickford
Suzanne
July 26, 2019 @ 4:01 am
Genius. Just what I needed to find – I have two grim and ghastly armchairs and a grim and ghastly sofa that are perfectly serviceable but look awful. Dropcloths! Of course. This will be my winter project this year. Thank you!
Robin
October 15, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
Thank you so much for the great picture tutorial. I have the same chairs except in the gray/beige (from Grandmother) with goldish stitching! Saved me hundreds of $$!
Julie
October 15, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
Yay! I’m so glad it helped you!
Janie Wigley
January 2, 2023 @ 3:25 pm
I just bought 2 wing chairs that have seen better days. The price for the 2 was too good to pass up. This old chickadee has never slipcovered anything! Your tutorial has given me the shove I need to get fabric so when I get my chairs home, I’ll be ready to see if I can do it by myself. My apartment living room is long & narrow so I hope the chairs will fit!
Julie
January 2, 2023 @ 7:18 pm
I hope it goes well for you!! It’s fun giving things new life!