Tips and Tricks to Slipcovering a Chair
I love a re-upholstery done right. I also love to find the cheater loop hole version. You know, the short cut! I inherited these chairs from my moms basement. They were purchased from Ethan Allen when I was in grade 7. Picture dark purple walls, green ottoman, and a purple floral sectional. Amazing at the time, but horribly trendy and now dated. The chairs have managed to stand up to me, my brothers, and all of our high school hot tub parties. They are still in great condition. They didn’t, however, hot up all that well to my lack of cleaning up babies puke stains.
Where To Find Cheap Fabric
There are two identical chairs, and they have been in my basement for 3 years since we moved in. About 2 years ago, I found that some of Ikea’s fabrics were a bit thicker, more like an upholstery fabric or even home decor fabric you would find in a fabric store, only MUCH less $$. I figured this was my best bet to experiment. I started to cut some fabric and figure out how to make it work. I think I chose the absolute hardest chair to begin on, because the curve of the back was ridiculous. So I started on the inside arm and then quit.
Tip #1: Start with a square chair, or no sloped arms.
Obviously I did not do that. Hahaha.
Before
![chair 100[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-1003-e1454482815287.jpg)
During
I started on the back piece. It had the hardest shape to work with. My biggest help was looking at the seams on the chair already. I then moved to the arms. I used a scrap white twill fabric for the seat because I knew I would have a seat cushion on top, and wanted to have as much fabric as possible.
Slipcovering Shortcuts
![chair 107[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-1073-e1454483256206.jpg)
My Tools
My secret trick? The Stapler. Not the heavy duty staple gun, but just a regular cheap plain-jane household stapler. I stapled the fabric together and then drew on the curves with a washable marker.
Why It Works
I found when trying to get the arms in place (and working with my kids in the room) the pins kept slipping. I couldn’t get them as close as I wanted to ensure a tight fitting slip cover, and I was getting frustrated. I was also frustrated because the babies kept shaking out my pins onto the floor, and I didn’t want them getting hurt.
I kept dreaming of a machine you could sew with that worked like a clamp. You could pinch it where you wanted it, and it would sew as you go. Then Voila, the stapler came into mind. I could just hold the fabric how I wanted, and the staples worked easier than pins, stayed in while I took the cover off the chair and moved to my sewing machine, and the were easy to remove after I was finished sewing.
![chair 106[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-10631-e1454483448446.jpg)
My other trick? Washable marker. Here is a close up of my trying to figure out the angle on the arm seam. Pinning was not working, so I got out the marker, then the stapler. Worked like a charm. I used a kids marker, but if I were to do it again I would use a vanishing ink marker to avoid washing the slipcover again. (again, lazy).
![chair 080[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-0803.jpg)
When I got to this point I thought this slipcover wouldn’t fit because the back of the chair is so much wider at the top, and tapers to the bottom. The bottom part of the cover would be too narrow to fit over the arms.![chair 084[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-0843.jpg)
I was wrong. It fit.
![chair 103[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-1033.jpg)
On to the cushion. I debated if I should zip the cover off or leave it on. For now, its on. I may decide to remove it later.
![chair 102[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-1023.jpg)
Here is the after. Ish. More like a progress shot.
This is where I started jumping up and down in excitement. I was so happy it looked half decent.
![chair 099[3]](https://brooklynberrydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chair-0993.jpg)
I am not keeping this pillow here, but I think it needs some sort of funky color and large size throw pillow for the back. I still have the original back pillow I could recover, but something about this fabric is screaming out for something funky to go with it. This was a test the size picture.
So this isn’t really a before and after, more a before and during. I still have the other chair to finish, but since I have a bit more knowledge, hopefully I will finish it faster than 2 years. Haha.
Any cool pillows you think the chair needs? I will start working on the other chair soon… Maybe.
*Check out the upholstered banquette bench I just made!
**If you are interested in other upholstery projects, check out the vintage chair I rescued from the dumpster, and the button tufted couch too.
Comments & Reviews
Samantha @ Blissful Domesticity says
This is amazing. I love it! I am dying to recover my couches, but I’m afraid. Want to come hold my hand? 😉
Leanne says
I have a chair that I am dying to make a slip cover for! Thanks for sharing this little tutorial you have made me have a little faith that it is something I could accomplish!
Found you through Live Laugh Rowe. I’m a new follower!
Jeni IGOTTHISMARTHA says
Looks so nice!
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says
Wow, that is quite a big change! I have a chair that I want to find a slipcover for… or set on fire. I just can’t decide. It’s comfortable as can be, but it was our old dog’s favorite place to pee when she was mad about staying home alone, and I’ve lost track of the things my kids have spilled on it. Yeah, burning it is probably the best approach.
If you haven’t already, I’d love if you’d come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-10/
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says
Great slipcover. Amazing transformation. I have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/02/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_26.html
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
Jill Herbst says
the pillow depends on the colors u want to bring out in the room, I think a yellow for easter would look awesome, good job by the way i love seeing old things new
the cape on the corner says
the “new” chair looks great!
Sharon Sheff says
I like the pattern on the fabric really nice.
according2sharon.blogspot.com
Heather says
This looks amazing! I love the fabric you chose and the stapler idea is da bomb 😀
Meghan says
This looks so easy! I have simple couches I have been wanting to recover. But I don’t like any of the premade covers I’ve found. I’m so excited to try this!!
Leticia Castro says
Thank you, I followed your instructions, I made arm (only) slip covers for my couch. Marker and stapler worked wonders. 😉
Brooke says
Good to hear! The stapler was way easier than pins, and kept in place much better. Glad it worked.
Jennifer says
this is probably a silly question, but when you first started draping the fabric over to back, arms, etc., how did you know how much fabric or what shape to start with? I’m assuming it wasn’t just one huge piece flung over. Did you make some sort of pattern? My head is spinning, but I’m determined to do it! Thanks!!
Brooke says
I followed the seams that were already in the chair, figuring the experts who upholstered it the first time knew what they were doing. I left a lot of room on the seams, just to cover any mistakes and adjustments, but I just started in the inside middle, centered the fabric (as it has a pattern I wanted to line up) and worked my around. I did the back section very last.
Amelia says
You are AMAZING! I love the stapler and THANK YOU!best diy upholstery post ever!l
Love
Amelia
Brooke says
Thanks! You made my day!
Rose Cook says
This was totally amazing you rock girl! That was awesome. That chair was scary but it looked great when you were finished with it. Don’t know if I could do what you are doing but I might be giving a couple of things a try.