If you don’t have the original cover to follow, or you have altered the shape or padded out your chair, you will need to create a pattern or toile. I made mine using a paper pattern. I used tissue paper taped together but
newspaper would probably work too just be aware of the print transferring. Pin the paper to the chair back smoothing out so it’s
a good fit. Wrap all the way to the back inside the frame where you will be
stapling. You can fold, pleat and pin in place to get the shape you need. You
may want to cut some excess away at the corners (that is a benefit of paper as
it’s cheaper if you make a mistake and need to redo). Once you are happy with the shape, make sure you have drawn on and traced any markings, such as where to pleat or the point where the fabric will overlap, you think will might need later. Then remove from the chair
and flatten out gently. Use this paper pattern to cut out your fabric. If you’re not doing patchwork, just cut out the upholstery fabric. You will need to add
seam allowance at corners if you plan to sew these bits, which I did as it gives
a much more professional look than just a tuck. If you are doing it patchwork, add extra allowance for shrinkage when quilting and start with cotton as a lining/backing, avoiding anything thin or lightweight. I chose a heavy weight cotton as it provided a nice stable base for the top patchwork fabric.
Creating my
chair cover was time consuming. I did the quilt as you go method that meant my
quilting gloves were on and off and I was back and forth to the ironing board. Add in the fact that I changed the thread to match every selvedge so I was constantly re threading my machine and you can appreciate how it took a while. You might ask with the amount of time and effort, do I regret it? No. Knowing how long it took would I go back and do it again? Yes, because it looks
how I imagined. Could you do it differently to save time? Definitely. It really
depends how you want your chair to look. You could easily create a patchwork
top then quilt as normal and it would be a whole lot easier. I could have also just
used one thread, many people thought I was crazy switching threads. I did
consider a variegated thread but knew I wanted the thread to match so it
blended and didn’t take away from the selvedge’s.
Speaking of the seat pad, I made the panel for this in two parts as well. I wanted the centre line to run all the way down to chair but meet in the centre as a cross. Measure the seat pad again, this time front to back adding 1" and from one side to the other. Divide the width in half then add 1". I'd add an extra 2/3" lining and batting for shrinkage, but make sure the to cover the area needed and trim to size after quilting. If you are doing it in one piece you don't need to divide the width in half but will still need to add 1" for 1/2" seam allowance at each side for joining. I chose to add a zip at the back, it will be easier to clean as the seat panels will probably need it. It will also be neater than hand stitching the turning gap closed too. Once the long panel (or two panels in a long piece) is finished and trimmed to size it’s time to add the zip. To insert the zip, first create a fabric loop by joining each short end/ the back edge right sides together where the zip will be going, sewing with a 1/2" seam allowance. Use a short stitch length at the edges and a long stitch length in the middle where your zip opening needs to be. I'd recommend leaving at least 1" at each side of the opening with fabric securely joined. Open the seam and press well. Lay the zip, teeth down along the seam, where the longer stitch length/opening will be and hand baste in place. Now with the fabric is right side up topstitch a neat box around the zip, back stitching at each end for added security. You need to be sure to catch the zip tape to hold in place securely. Once the zip is in place, you can unpick the basting and longer length stitches to reveal the zip opening. Now turn so the right side of the fabric is inside, with the zip (partly open) at the back, sew the side seams to create the cushion cover. Then box the corners to the same measurement as before. Remove excess fabric at the corners (you may want to try the cushion pad before doing this to check the fit) and insert your seat pad.
You can do any patchwork and quilting you want to do, you could even use a quilt you have already made. You simply need a big enough piece to cover your chair. I will explain the process of covering the chair back in the next blog, so come back for that.
Mx