How to make a classroom Chair cover

By: S. Garcia

Materials

• Blue Nylon Material (1 yard will make appx 3 covers)

• Yellow Nylon Material (1 yard will make appx 6 front pockets)

• Nylon thread (I used clear)

• Pins• Sewing machine

Preparation• Prior

– You may want to measure chairs you will be using them for and base measurements on that…but remember you need room for books and things so they can’t be too tight on the chair.

• My measurements• Cut length appx 42 inches• Cut width appx 17.5 inches• Yellow length appx 13 inches

but no longer than 14.• Cut width of yellow pocket

appx 17.5 inches to fit the width of blue fabric.

Folding

• Fold for big pocket appx 14 inches. Fold toward middle of fabric.

• This is going to be the front of the chair cover.

Folding continued

• Now fold the top of the fabric back the other way.

• This will be the piece that holds the cover on the chair.

• This fold should be no longer than the front pocket. I usually fold mine shorter at appx 12 inches.

Check before pinning• If you turned your

fabric over for the second fold, flip it back over so the large blue pocket faces up and opens at top.

• Lay the yellow fabric on top and fit it so it is a little shorter at the top and is about even with bottom of the big blue pocket.

Top of pockets (where they will open)

Bottom of pockets (this will be sewn together)

Pinning for hems• Take the top of yellow

fabric to fold the hem under once then fold again and pin.

• I usually fold about ½ inch and then again (double fold will help keep fabric from fraying).

• Note: Pay attention to the direction you pin the fabric and make sure you are folding toward the inside of the pocket.

This is top of yellow pocket with hem sewn.

Pinning continued

• Find underside of big blue pocket and fold under twice for hem and pin.

Folded back into place before sewing.

Blue pocket hem sewn

Final pinning and hem• Find the last end of the blue fabric. This will be the bottom of the

part that fits over the back of the chair and holds the cover onto the chair. (are you still with me )

• Note: Make sure you fold toward the pockets and not backwards…This hem should be in opposite direction as the pocket hems.

• Follow the same hemming instructions above and pin.

Completed hem for over the chair part of the cover.

Sewing

• Now it’s time to sew the hems.

• I start with the yellow fabric.

• I sew close to the edge first and then once more. (see pic)

First sew close to the edge of fabric.

Then again on the other side of the hem.

Sewing continued• Sew the blue fabric hems the same way.• Fit the yellow pocket on top where you want it sewn to prepare

for next step. You can pin (as shown) to prevent slipping.

This is picture of both hems for pockets.

Folding (again )Grab top of pockets and pull down to unfold. Yellow pocket should be face down on table.

Grab where the bottom of the yellow fabric is (not hemmed part) and fold opposite way. It will be inside out.

Yellow fabric will be inside.

1

2 – check to see that it’s folded inside out.

2

3

Sew at new fold.You can see top of pockets here. Again they are inside out.

Sew• Now sew the

bottom of the inside out pockets.

• I sew twice for reinforcement.

• This will be where all the weight from books and supplies will sit.

• Picture of fabric lain out after.

• Still inside out.

Lay out cover

Lay fabric out as shown. Fabric should still be inside out with yellow pocket inside.

One side of the pocket. You may have pins because of wanting to prevent slipping. You will have to do one more step and then complete pinning. See following slides.

This piece will be part you will fold in next slide.

Folding• Take top and

fold down under the yellow fabric.

• Pick up both blue pocket and yellow pocket and then place the flap under the yellow fabric.

• Make sure you do not put it on top of the yellow pocket.

Pinning

• Pin left and right sides only.

•Be sure to pin through all layers of fabric.

Final Sewing• Now you can

sew both sides.• I begin at the

bottom of the pockets (where you’ve already sewn) and work downward while sewing.

• This method should prevent rippling or bunching of fabric.

Sewing continued

• Picture of one side sewn. Bottom of pockets

Inside of blue pocket. Remember you are still working with cover inside out.

Almost complete!

• Both sides sewn.

• It is finished but still inside out.

You’re DONE!!!

• Remember these are instructions from an amateur.

• Measurements are approximations and my not fit all chairs.

• Let me know if you don’t understand something.

• The following slides will help you unfold and admire your new chair cover!!!

Still inside out

2. Pull out in order to make your chair cover Right Side Out!

1. Put hand inside and grab bottom of yellow fabric.

Almost there!Keep working with your new chair cover until it is completely Right Side Out!

BackPicture of the back of the chair cover.

This part fits over the back of the chair.

You made it!!!• Here is your new chair cover.